No, I'm not talking about Ken Shamrock. I'm talking about someone more fearsome, more dangerous, more terrifying 
than almost anyone you're likely to meet on the street or in competition: the rookie!
I have never been more in fear of injury than when breaking in a new fighter, one who has no training, or someone who thinks he's good, but isn't. Typically, a trained fighter has balance, coordination, clean technique, and timing. A beginner has none of these things.
Typical rookies:
- Have no clue as to where they are on the mat, or where you are in relation to them. This is called spatial sense. It's the same as watching a basketball player shoot a 3-pointer - they just know how far the basket is, no matter where they stand on the court. A beginner doesn't know how far away he can hit you, or how long his arms or legs are from their target. He probably doesn't even know what a target is!
- Is scared to death! That makes him a danger to you, himself, and every window, door, or person around him. He is likely to be even more of a spaz than he'd normally be. Stay away!
- Is uncoordinated. This awkwardness makes a fighter dangerous in the ring, because you don't know what he's aiming for, or what to defend. This lack of coordination also makes a beginner more dangerous than a trained opponent. It's not a bad idea to keep some of that unpredictable technique, as long as it works!
- Have no control over their power. Most of us know how hard we can hit, 'cause we've hit someone or something thousands of times, whether on a target pad, heavy bag, or live partner or opponent. A beginner doesn't have that experience or nuance in the use of his strength and speed, and thus could clock someone he meant to merely touch.
The bottom line:
DON'T let beginners spar! Anyone who lets beginners spar, or even drill, with a live partner, is just asking for trouble. If your school typically lets beginners spar, you may want to think about getting another school. If a school waits 3-6 months before letting someone free spar with a live partner, they're probably looking out for everyone's safety. Finally, if you a paired up with someone like that, RUN!
Happy Thanksgiving!
1 comment:
I remember an instructor of mine saying that sometimes the most dangerous (i.e. unpredictable) trainees are white belts for most of the reasons you listed. Through the years I've seen a wide variety of students - most do start out as typical uncoordinated novices. Others are naturally gifted - it really depends on the guy. One common trait of the rookie is that they go straight for the head. But besides that, I've truthfully never seen a really bad mishap with a white belt (less than 4 months experience). Higher ranks are another story.
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