I have been training in Karate for about six months now, and my forms are coming along fine. However, I am having a very difficult time with sparring. Do you have any suggestions for a beginner to improve sparring?
If you fight often, you are going to get really good at sparring, especially when you are fighting people that are better than you. It won't be long when you can dominate fights against other beginners because of your experience in fighting good fighters.
Here are a few tips:
(1) the weakest area of Kenpoists (generally speaking) is their kicks. So work on delivering fast and effective kicks when putting your combinations together.
(2) commit to hitting; don't be hesitant when you strike - go for it!
(3) don't just use your lead leg and lead hand like so many do (e.g. use your reverse punch)
(4) take a zone of sanctuary when your opponent attacks
(5) don't look at the target you are trying to hit
(6) shadow-box
(7) be patient and you WILL see results!
