"Dude, Look, a Chick with a Sword!"

[ElizabethPangerl]

Thanks for the input on ways to overcome my fears of harming others. I never had this problem playing with a padded weapon - it must be that I subconsciously know this is fighting, not playing.
Your idea of visualizing a threatening foe is a good one. I'd forgotten I'd used visualizing an enemy to improve my softball hitting. I can't visualize my husband as a threatening foe, but others have crossed my path in the past that I could imagine striking at without pulling back.
Thanks for the suggestions!

[Brian Hunt]

Another thing that can really help with worry about hurting ones training/sparring partner is to gain superb control over your own strikes. Learn to strike with skill, speed, and power but also learn immense control. The ability to strike with speed and power, but just barely tap your oppponent is a really good way to go. At that point you are in control and you KNOW you won't hurt your sparring partner, therefore you can pull out the stops and just train. However, don't make the mistake that I have seen many Karate people do. They always pull their punches because this is how they train. Be sure that when you wish or need to, you can deliver that same strike with full power and follow through. You can learn to do this at the pell. As for hanging vs. standing pells they both have their advantages and disavantages. I would say build both and experiment with them.

just some thoughts.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[ElizabethPangerl]

Thanks again Brian. I've got the timber for a post-style pell and will build as soon as I can borrow my father-in-law's post digger. I'm planning to name my pell after the person who gives me the most frustration in my current life, so I won't have trouble using my strength at her. I mean, it.
I think that you're right - once I become more confident about my ability to hit a target with accuracy and precision, I will be less likely to fear accidentally hurting someone. You see, although I've been weightlifting for several months now, I know if I were to strike full-force at someone's shoulder, it would only bruise. I really am more afraid of missing and hitting them across the face or someplace else where a misplaced cut would hurt more.
You're absolutely right. Thanks again for your input.

[Jaron Bernstein]

You have to develop the ability to hit instinctively with full force and power, otherwise in a real swordfight (OK, not very likely in this day and age.... <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) you won't do so. That is what padded sparring is for. Hang up a punching bag and beat on it with yer waster using all your power.

And, also develop the control, but ya gotta have the power as well. And test cutting (fun! ) for edge alignment and the like.
Many pieces to the puzzle.

On the socio-cultural side, IMO if more women learned how to hit properly early on they would probably face less challenges in other areas of life. But you do have to first train the "gentle" cultural conditioning out of them first. That is certainly doable. Sid in Texas is a very good fighter and I hear that Kat is pretty skilled also. I imagine Walpurgis must have had some skill with a blade to end up in the I-33. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Jeremy Martin]

It's not just a female thing. When I spar(EMA, empty handed), I still can't bring myself to strike for the head or face. I'm trying to work past that, but I get to spar so rarely it's difficult. Right when I'm making progress, I'm on hiatus for a while and slip right back into old habits. So when you do start to work past it, don't stop.

[James Sterrett]

I'd second that it's not just a female thing... it can also spring from a realistic (at least in one's own mind <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) appraisal of safety. Corinne and I will drill with wooden wasters and no padding, and work towards drilling a given maneuver at full speed (but not full power).

But there's no way either of us feels comfortable sparring with them. Much as Jaron says, sparring with padded weapons and protective gear means we can practice with full intent, without injuring each other.

It's true that with growing experience our drills are getting more complex, so perhaps as we improve we will get to the stage of sparring with the wasters. On the other hand, I believe I'd have a shattered knuckle tonight if we hadn't been using padded weapons and gloves an hour or two ago. <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" />