DMGAs Light as it Gets
Part of the Krav 2 session on Saturday involved some sparring. It was meant to be very light, very controlled sparring. Sharp defense, clean combos, controlled kicking.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the required gear. I missed the memo or something, so while everyone else slapped on headgear, mouthpieces, gloves, and shinguards, I had to brave it with just my gloves.
I kind of shrugged. No big deal. I've been struck accidentally a dozen times, and never been more than bruised. I didn't come here to stay in my comfort zone.
So I jousted a bit with one guy (and got my ass handed to me), and then rotated to face my next partner. We agreed on no kicks and to go easy on strikes to the head, then started.
Two seconds later, he kicked me in the groin.
I was wearing a cup, so I was only fazed for a minute, and got back in. Then he slammed me with a solid jab in the nose and two good hooks to the temple. I turtled and backed off, and he pushed me over.
I got up, and said, "Dude, can we go a little easier? I've got no gear here." I noticed I couldn't breathe through my left nostril.
He grinned. "That's as easy as it gets."
At the time, I was conflicted: There are guys in the class I avoid training with precisely because they go too easy. But I wasn't sure about this. It's one thing to feel challenged, to know that mistakes mean bruises. This was something else.
So, I threw our "rules" out the window. I hung in for the rest of the session, standing firm, defending well, but totally unable to mount any kind of offense. Taking off my gloves, I found a bit of blood where I'd wiped my nose earlier.
On the one hand, I think the guy was an asshole. When your partner is smaller, less experienced, not wearing any protective gear, and specifically asks you to back off, do it. I'm not going to get hurt so you can get your workout in.
On the other hand, he pushed my button. My new mission in life is to make him feel old and slow. I'm going to give him a bloody nose, and I'm going to have fun doing it. I could hug the guy for giving me that kind of motivation.