Sparring from a TMA background

So, most of my sparring experience (outside of swords) has been in a TMA background.  Not much ring experience via kickboxing / boxing / etc. It’s itneresting and as Randy pointed out, causes a problem with the way I spar in that I generally don’t...

Mentality and Sparring

Had a semi-serious challenge happen this week.  I lost – badly. Watching the fight, and as Randy pointed out, I was holding back.  Significantly. Personally, I’ve realised I have major issues in the mental department for sparring / duels.  Especially when...

Stances

Oooh, stances.  Not going to write much here today, but I thought I’d discuss stances. I’m a right-hander, so I should be fighting orthodox.  It puts my strongest side back, lets me hit hard with my right fist / kick and allows me to block with my left....

Training while sick

I am sick a lot.  It’s just a part and parcel of my lack of luck with my immune system being shitty. Lots of cold, lots of flu symptoms.  These days I get a lot less muscle strains / aches and damage, but that’s mostly because I’ve slowly gotten pass...

Valyrie, WMA & Traditional Training

Since I’m not in Vancouver right now, I’ve been doing training at an MMA Gym up here in the Great North.  It’s actually pretty solid and the teacher knows his stuff (especially grappling) so it’s been good.  I’m going to focus...

The Winning Mindset

So, at my last class at Valkyrie I was asked by Randy to change what I was doing.  I had intended to take the time to continue working on a particular flaw in my style – my tendency to launch attacks whenever I saw an opening, whether or not I am covered. Randy...