Kickboxing - Sparring protocol
Within REFLEX, safety and enjoyable training together are paramount! In our Krav Maga and Kickboxing group classes we offer Sparring in our Kickboxing classes. Sparring should be fun, challenging and instructive in the right setting. Sparring can also be confrontational and your stress increases over time and with more fatigue. With clear boundaries, clear structure and build up training experience it will be safe for the participants.
GOAL
The goal is always to help each other improve and become better. We expect advanced members to adapt to the level of less advanced members, at all times with the aim of learning from each other.
To achieve this we have clear guidelines and rules regarding sparring, for both the trainers and the members!
We agree on the following 5 explicit rules:
Supervision and liability. The trainer is always present and NEVER allows members to work together when he/she is not in the room: no sparring unsupervised!
Protective materials. It is MANDATORY for members to wear a mouth guard, groin guard (especially during all the Krav Maga classes), shin guards, and boxing gloves of at least 14 oz. Any approved head protection is also allowed at member discretion. You can buy good quality gear with fair price in our webshop.
Mutual respect and self-control. You take each other into account and adapt to the level of your current partner. You help each other to get better and stop when this is no longer possible.
Communication and listening. Each member is responsible for communicating clearly with their sparring partner - whether that means taking the intensity/level down, letting your partner know you’re ok with going a little bit more intensity (only if they agree), or if you need a break for any reason. As a responsible member taking your partner into account, you listen to and adjust to your partner’s needs.
Rest. Make sure you take a rest between rounds, your trainer guides you.
INSTRUCTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
It is the trainer's job to create and maintain a safe environment at all times, by clearly stating the rules each time sparring takes place, and ensuring that no one loses themselves in the game. This requires additional knowledge, training, and experience from our trainers and the ability to create a safe sparring environment with clear rules for the participants. As a trainer, we only offer sparring if the trainer is familiar with sparring him-/her-self!
MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY
We expect from members:
1. Sparring is about learning from each other and not knocking each other out.
2. Experienced members adapt to the level that is in front of them.
3. Communicate and mutual respect of the level each member needs.
4. To bring and use the right protective materials.
If this is not met, the member in question will be excluded from sparring participation.
MISSION
Our mission is to empower, not dis-power, our members. Sparring is fun and educational provided it is offered and executed in a polite and responsible manner. It is the trainer’s job together with the members to ensure that. That is why we have clear rules and guidelines to keep sparring at REFLEX fun, goal-oriented and safe for everyone. Always keep in mind that our members do not aspire to a career as a professional fighter in the UFC or to fight on the frontline in some kind of war ;-) Keep it safe, fun and lighthearted.
Interested? You can always book a trail lesson. ....