Sparring for the First Time

Keep Training Everyone!

Though it was over 45 years ago, yes, I remember getting hit for the very first time. Master Lee’s school was brand new so we, the students, had never seen sparring. The day after we earned our yellow belts Mr. Lee sat us all down to teach us about sparring. There was no protective gear back then, you had just better learn to block and as I learned that day, learn to block fast!

My best friend in class and I were called up first. Three kicks to the face later, it finally “kicked” in what we were doing and that I had better change my strategy fast. But, alas, three kicks to the face made the other person the winner and the match was over. I sat down with the other kids to watch the next group feeling a bit humiliated and ready to get up there and try that again to redeem myself.

I learned a lot about myself that day. One, I could take a hit and life would go on and two, I really didn’t like getting hit or losing. I’m pretty sure that was the day I found out that I had a competitive spirit. This was something for the first time that I wanted to be good at and I was determined to practice harder. To this day I try to pass those first lessons on to my students.

1. You will get hit and you will be ok. You are a lot tougher than you think and learning not to be afraid makes you a stronger and happier person.
2. Though competition may not be for everyone, by getting out there and trying no matter what your sport, you will improve your game and that should be any athlete’s ultimate goal. Not to defeat others, but to improve yourself.
So, keep training everyone!

Grand Master Amanda   Get Award Winning Author, Master Amanda’s latest book here.

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