M
MTBJJ15
Guest
Give it another six monthes of sparring and you'll be amazed.
As for the flinching, try working only defense against a controlled opponent who isn't trying to take your head off. Let him land shots on you, lighter shots that won't do serious damage. You'll get over the flinching
As a kid I would turn away from hard hit baseballs, so my dad put me in the back yard and pelted me on a regular basis. I'm not afraid of baseballs or punches anymore.
I have to agree with you. For some reason, that's the threshold for everyone. If you can spar consecutively for 6 months, you'll see yourself improve faster you would in TMA.
In my ol gym, my Kru put me in against one of the pros training for a fight on my first day of training; granted I had experience competing savate, I was still fish out of water in the ring. I stayed with it; busted shins, black eyed, hair line fracture on my ribs; but after a few months, I started to feel comfortable and actually hanging with most of the guys.
He (my Kru) also asked me to fight smokers after month of training. I didn't do it, but atleast two guys that started with me did. They bought had a long successful amature career. I started fighting smokers after 6 months; it's the best feeling. I still miss it. Wish I still heel lke i did before.
Enjoy your training.