As part of our test, Master Evans gave us a written assignment. The assignment was to discuss sparring, specifically as a Quantum yellow belt. At Quantum, sparring becomes an important part of the curriculum at yellow belt. (white belts do not spar and high white belts may spar with no contact).
The following is an excerpt from my paper
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Fear is the emotion most expressed by students after sparring class. Fear can take many forms. Among these is the fear of personal pain or injury as well as the fear of injuring another person.
When facing a partner trying hit or kick you, fear of personal pain or injury are usually the most immediate fears faced by a new yellow belt. This fear is not completely unfounded as bumps and bruises are common. However, sparring with experienced practitioners is no more likely to result in injury than participation in many other sports such as skiing, soccer, or football. It is the fact that another human being appears to be trying to hurt them that makes sparring different from these other athletic pursuits. Yet it is also the fact that they are engaged with another human being that facilitates the student’s ability to examine what is truly injurious pain and what is simply a bump or bruise.
The Quantum sparring rules dictate that it is the responsibility of the more experienced student in the round to create a learning environment for the less experienced partner. As students begin to see this, they realize that they are actually in control of the situation and begin to see which of their fears are unfounded and which are more real. It is the ability to see what is real and true that is one of the lessons we hope practitioners are reaching for as they become high intermediate and advanced students. Yellow belt students have the opportunity to engage with intensity using powerful straight line techniques. As they do so and find that they are not injured, they begin to learn the skill of facing one’s fears and dismissing those that do not serve.
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