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We have sparred before in class, and I was told the point was to control and get out of the situation.
So class was about to be over and the instructor calls up the highest ranking student. They start sparring, not real sparring, but a form of it. The instructor is hitting at the student, and the student is blocking as many of the strikes as he can.
This goes on and it comes to my turn.
The instructor starts to throw strikes at me, and Im blocking some, and missing others. It feels weird to leave out my biggest defense, which is offense, but whatever, "Ill go along with it."
I start seeing openings for Judo throws. Although this class is Aikido, I am tempted to go in. I enter, and do not throw. I do this a few times, just to see if I could and I could, which makes me feel good. But is this what he is looking for? I dont really know.
I start to do sticky hands (Chi Sao) from lessons learned years ago in Kajukenbo. While doing sticky hands I feel an opening for a shoulder lock and I take it. I feel him fighting it, and Im not sure if I should do it, or not. I do, and the instructor goes down.
I feel embarassed because Im not really sure what the point of this is. I understand learning how to block, but Im not taught to block and take punches. Im taught to find Suki to attach and ma ai for safe distancing. What is it he wants? I want to charge and do a single leg take down and start grappling because this is where I am comfortable, but I know that cant be the lesson for this is Aikido not Jujitsu.
I guess I am confused, and lost. Im not learning how to use my techniques, unless I am allowed to do them, which I dont think I am. So is blocking the main point to this?
Oh well, I guess Ill wait until I get further advice, until then, Ill just enter to the point where I know I could do my throw, or move, and then play his game.
Tue 24
08-25-2004 05:48 PM 