As far as learning form and technique, he’s having no trouble at all. He can remember forms, different stances and movements. He enjoys sparring, and can’t wait to get to class every day. He eagerly puts on his sparring gear, walks up proudly to face his opponent in these little practices they have…then it happens…
He gets kicked in the stomach, or in the face, or in the side because he isn’t quite aggressive enough. He’s very passive, and seems to lack self confidence. Once the realization comes that he got hit (painful or not) he starts crying and begins cowering away from his opponent.
The teacher addresses this, naturally by telling him to stop crying and fight back…hard! He reminds him that if he’s attacked on the street by someone who wants to beat him senseless and take his wallet, that his attacker will not care if he starts crying, nor take pity on him.
My son is eleven, and he’s so ashamed of his frequent crying . Any advice to help him stop when he gets kicked?
