Fighting someone grading

[Optimistic_Dan]

On Saturday I will be one of the people fighting someone grading for their brown belt. This will be my first practical experience of a knockdown session and I am nervous but not for the obvious reason. If I were in a competition I would of course use full power and look to win, however as I will be forming part of another's test I am not sure of what mindset to be in.

I don't want to risk ruining his grading, but don't want to be disrespectful and go easy.

Perhaps someone here can help me approach this short bout with the appropriate attitude.

Many thanks

[DKKC]

Dan, go and do your best, fight clean - so that you avoid any clashes that might injure your oponent (or yourself), try to be technical rather than just go in and 'bash' left, right and centre, and trust me when I'm saying that the people you will fight have prepared for this and are ready for you

[Bloke]

Spot on DKKC

[mary222]

just remember that you are there to help your partner to show off their ability. it is not about you it's about your partner. so just do your best keep it clean and watch you temper 'cause sometimes with nervousness people might do akward thing or react in a weird way dont take it offensive its just stress

[kakatootoshi]

Dear Optimistic_Dan,
The whole thing also depends on the difference between your grades. Ask yourself, if both of you are fresh how do you fare fighting with that guy? You know he is testing for brown and you said in another thread you are only 7th kyu (I am not looking down upon you, just objectively stating what is being put on the table). I think if he truly worths a chance to go brown, it should be he to worry about hurting you, not the other way round. Just make sure you are not hitting at his injured spots I will say go hard on him.

OSU!

[hasbeen]

everybody above is making a lot of sense,the only thing i might add is perhaps don`t smash away with continuous thigh kicks to anybody grading or going for a set number of fights, i`m sure a lot of people will disagree with me but i believe in, what goes around comes around if you get my meaning!

[Optimistic_Dan]

Thank you all for your replies. I will keep my mind neutral and try and feel my way. I am looking forward to the experience, it should be fine we are all nice guys afterall.

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu! Dan,

Everyone's a b*****d under the skin.

My advice would be go about 80% - relax, keep moving and don't try to get stuck in for the sake of it. At the same time, remember they are out to impress so keep yourself covered up and mobile at all times!!

Gary

[jcc]

Originally Posted by GJEChamberlain

Osu! Dan,

Everyone's a b*****d under the skin.

Gary

That sounds to me like one of Shihan Fitkin´s, but surely can´t refer to anyone on this board...

[niceguy]

In the words from Lock stock and two smoking barrels "don't dance around like a fairy, get in there and hurt him!:"-- only kidding, but trying to spar without committing yourself can lead to things going wrong.Remember the higher grades have done this fighting thing a few things before and are capable of looking after themselves and looking after your well being as well, so don't worry too much.As a 7 kyu (still am) I have faced brown belts and shodans for their grading and I fought like my life depended on it!

[Optimistic_Dan]

Excellent Niceguy, that simplifies things for me, many thanks.
Osu!

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu! jcc,

Indeed it is! Very perceptive! No - not aimed at anyone, just a general observation.

Gary

[Nix]

I agree with the majority in here. Go harder than sparring, but not as tough as in a tournament. In other words, show no mercy (noone expects you to), but don't be a bastard either.

It's quite simple, really. Feel the athmosphere, and go like the other people. But if you think people are going easy on him, beat him. And if people are going too hard on him, try to give him some slack.

Best of luck, have no fear.

Osu!

[jcc]

This thread reminds me of once when I had to fight someone from my dojo who was doing a 30-man at a summer camp. I could see he was hurting and held back, only to get whacked by the shihan in charge! Not funny, I tell you.

And Sensai Gary - it´s more to do with the impression Shihan Fitkin leaves on all - formidable, as they say.

[tmd]

Fight at a sensible level, remember for 2nd or 1st Kyu the guys will have already done a 5 or 6 hour grading, as this is your first experience maybe let them strike first and let this be your guide, your inexperience or nervousness may get you into trouble, do not 'hold back' as such or the grading is pointless and it will not be what they want from you but be warned - you go hard on me I go hard on you - I had to put a guy down at my 2nd Kyu grading cause he just started brawling everyone as if it was a tournament and had almost caused someone to quit the grading.

[Dent]

Osu!

My advice would be to remember your defense. No need to be a notch on anyone's belt.

Osu!

[Bloke]

You also have to look at the people you will be fighting. At the last grading we did two of the candidates were light women (one very light and the other was a liitle older than the rest of the candidates), Once was a 19 year old with all the energy of a Duracell Bunny and the last was a guy about 6 foot 2 and near 16.5 stone.

I approached each one differently but dont underestimate anyone - a tired fighter is a dangerous one - as TMD said they have probably been at it 5 or 6 hours.

[Dent]

Osu! Bloke,

And sometimes that tired fighter hits his second wind just in time to face you.

Osu!

[tmd]

I can tell you this a tired fighter has no sense of humour

[Dent]

Osu! TMD,

Especially not after being kicked in the groin. Twice.

Osu!