Rank test - an issue of respect:?

Question

I'm studying a new art and going for the first belt rank that requires sparring. I have every confidence that I can out-spar the instructor with whom I will be matched.

The question is this - would it be disrespectful to dominate a sparring match in this situation, or would it be more disrespectful to dial back and make sure the instructor out-strikes me?

This is not a head instructor, but a high ranking student instructor. I have the utmost respect for him and the school, but I've never faced a situation like this...any feedback?

*NOTE* I have studied boxing, JKD and Tae Kwon Do for years - this is a Muay Thai test to move into the "advanced MMA" class where we will begin to grapple (the primary reason I am at this school). There will not be any grappling involved in the testing.

Answer 1

If they know what you are capable of doing, then you should do what is expected of you.

Did they chose this person because of your experience?

If they did, they knew that he was the right person to square you off against.

Who ever defeats who, it is a matter if showing your true skills honorably.

You don't have to show anyone what you are made of... on the other hand, you have skills you have developed through hard work and persistence.

No one spars just to spar. You do so to hone your skills and make yourself a better martial artist.

Deploy your skills.

Answer 2

I tell my students that to go at an opponent with less than your full potential is not only foolhearty, but disrespectful.

If he trained you, then you must give him the respect and show him how well you learned his teachings.  If you let up and let him win or draw back, you will not have truly passed the test.

Before a fight, I tell a hesitant student-"Off the mat, he is your friend-on the mat he is your opponent."

Answer 3

I don't think you should let him win the match. That sounds more disrepectful to me. He might be pretty offended if he finds out you lost on purpose.

On the other hand, don't overdo it. Just spar at around the same level he does. It's ok if you win, because if he's a good instructor he'll know that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose the match, because you'll both still learn something from it.

I know this isn't really the same, but in any sparring competition, if I get the chance, I chat to my opponent before the match and wish them good luck. It's just a bit of friendly competition - there should be no hard feelings.

Good luck with your rank test!

Answer 4

Honestly Tao this is a tough one. I would actually speak to the head instructor and ask him if you should fight to your full capability, and tell him your fears because of all your previous training.

Explain that you do not want to seem disrespectful, but ask him would there be hard feelings if you should happen to be better then the person you are going to spar.

Let him decide what he wants. Don't say you nknow you can beat him, but just say "what if this happens because of my previous training"

Answer 5

I am absolutely with Bluto on this one...

I understand the art, and that might be why some of the above answerers don't quite get it...

But in the circumstance, you absolutely go for all you have, anything else is disrespectful. Keep in mind, that doesn't mean to be a spazz and come out the gate at 100%, but it means matching his intensity level, and doing your best to beat him. That helps him and you.

So like I said, utlize your skill set (especially as it relates to Muay Thai) fully intend on winning, but doing so at whatever intensity level the person sets. Meaning don't go full bore out the gate, feel out, then step up in intensity as he does. (You want to show you are skilled, not a spazz).

But by all means dominate as much as you can (with skill), outstriking the guy is absolutely fine, just don't go 100% on the guy if he is going 50% on you, keep in mind he is a training partner. But making him look bad is not something you need to worry about, if you dominate him, then it is a learning experience for him, that is the point of sparring, mutual welfare and benefit.

Just my opinion

Answer 6

I advise doing as much as you feel necessary to show that you are able and ready to enter the "advanced MMA" class. Do not cheat yourself. After all, it is through your own training that you have attained your skills. If you do outstrike this student, do not be disrespectful. There is no dishonor for either you or your opponent if you win, on the condition that you both exercise good sportsmanship. If it is a spar in which either party have equal chance of winning, then do not hesitate to use your skills to advance, but do only that. Do nothing to embarass the other participant.

Answer 7

Tao - when I first started at my current TKD school, I wore a white belt for the first two weeks, even though I told the master that I had 20 years of martial arts experience, he wanted me to wear it and let him evaluate me.  So the first time I spar with the sparring instructor, I lightly kicked him right in the face within about 10 seconds, which caused him to A.) congratulate me, and B.) completely raise his game.  The rest of the two minutes was very competitive and good for both us.  I don't think he held any ill will towards me because I used control.  

I've been there almost 2 years now, and I am a regular in the daytime class.  The instructor is the day class is in his late 40's and he knows I can out spar him, but it's not disrespectful at all.  He outranks me, but he is also close to 10 years older.  He doesnt want me to hold back because he says sparring better people makes you better.  I agree completely with this concept.

Use control, but don't hold back and let him win. Also, don't underestimate, you may not have ever seen the best of him.

On a side note, I'm like you, I just signed up at an MMA place for the rest of the summer in addition to my TKD school for the grappling aspect.  I did an 8 week trial in Pancrase & BJJ over the winter and wanted to try MMA to put it all together.  I must say the grappling is way more energy demanding than sparring has ever been.

James

Answer 8

Your concern for your instructor is admirable. But your instructor may surprise you. I think it would be OK to best your instructor if you can. He has been teaching you he should have an idea of your abilities, so go for it. Keep a good demeanor and all should be fine.

Good luck,

Ripper

Answer 9

Lets keep this simple. It is to easy to make this a philosophical, moral, or ego-centered issue.   As I see it, it is not a contest. It is not about if you win or lose. It is about experience and learning in that style. I'd say that best course of action is to go with the flow. Just do what you know is right. If you try to dominate the fight that will accomplish nothing. On the other hand, you should not be to easy. Just take it as it comes. Do what is honorable. When it is over you will know that you have done the right thing. No one should feel bad about it. The instructor and you will both come away having learned something. As I sad it is about learning, not who wins.

The instructor you are to spar with knows that he might not do well. If he does not then he is over confident.  On the other hand, he might surprise you.  Either way it does not matter. Learn and enjoy.

Answer 10

There is a fine balance between out sparing and humiliating an opponent. I believe it is OK to out spare your instructor. I do not believe that it would be respectful to humiliate him. If you intend to learn from this instructor you must be able to have respect for him. He needs to also respect you as well. If he is skilled and experienced he will be able to tell you are holding back a little this will tell him you are respectful and highly skilled. If you totally humiliate him this will show him there is no boundary of respect. So the bottom line I guess is go ahead and win the sparing match. Don't be surprised if he gives you a good run for your money. Let me know how it turns out.

Answer 11

hmmm...in my school we normally spar to a level or two above the person we are sparring (or to the best of our ability if the other person is at a higher level)...I don't know though, I have been in situations for one reason or another where I have sparred someone that outranked me and I held back out of respect.  I held my own and sparred at exactly 'their level'. This did almost cost me a match on point sparring once, but I dislike point sparring anyway :) and winning is never  the most important thing to me.

In this case,  I think I'd go out there and do a good job, show your ability and keep up with your instructor. Don't disrespect them, but don't cheat yourself either. I would probably not 'beat' them.

Regardless of what you do , I think it's cool that you are considering this. I think there are many that just wouldn't even get this at all.

Answer 12

The correct answer probably has more to do with the politics of the situation than anything.  If this instructor feels that you embarrassed him, would that stand in the way of your goals at the school?  Does your senior instructor know of your prior training and has he observed you spar?  Maybe this is a test for that instructor as well as you, sometimes these senior instructors are sneaky that way.

If I were you, I would just go into the test and do my best in the most respectful way you can.  In other words, you can beat him but don't do anything that may embarrass him or you.  If someone gets snitty and political about it then that shows their character and not yours.

Answer 13

go all out.

it would be disrespectfull of you to do otherwise- well with the caveat taht you are not there to kill him by breaking the rules for this sparring session. just show what you can do.

if you are better than him then he and the gym has done thier job, instructors are not necessarily supposed to be the best fighters- they are just the best at PRODUCING a good fighter (or should be).  they don't have to be the best to produce a good fighter, only be able to fight to a level good enough to show you application and push you to be better.

if you perform well- he and the gym has done thier job.  If you beat him- he will or SHOULD be proud of you - if he holds a grudge he is an *** and of little worth anyway as he does not deserve to be an instructor.