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View Full Version : Round Three & Final Sparring Session With Coach Sonnon.



J.H. Myers Jr.
11-21-2005, 08:57 PM
Hello Everyone:

Third training session and final with Scott was on Sunday. For this session my buddy Chris and one of my students Ian were in attendence. We actually invited another, but he was a no show.

After warming up, we decided on going four rounds apiece, 1 min each with 30 secs rest only for Scott.

Most noticeable and immediate thing upon begining this time was that Scott had integrated almost every bit of good advice we gave him about kicking and punching. The melding of advice and personal style and capability was pretty damn amazing IMO. I've seen similar levels of change take weeks to sink in. Scott is very adaptable this way, and it might be one of his best MA traits from a training perspective. That it also equals immediate application for him on the floor is laudable.

From the get go, I was determined to apply everything I had gleaned in the way of advice here, from my training partner Chris, and from Scott himself. This approach was about 60 to 80% effective, and was probably helped by the fact that Scott had some training agendas of his own, and eventually a much higher level of fatigue than me or anyone else there.

First round was all out, I barely held back anything in the way of force. Obviously we're starting to figure each other out after so many training sessions, but Scott had added a few new things, so there was still plenty that couldn't be anticipated. Not getting into a position where I was throwable was a goal, but I think Scott was holding back on this in favor of other focus too. Either way, I hit the matt less.

Chris' first round and every subsequent round with Scott was pretty much the opposite of my approach. He met Scott half way with the close after commence and really slugged it out. Lots of fast hands to head, face, and those nasty pop up front and angled round kicks. I have seen over the years, every level of MA guy fold under this assault from Chris, and the front kick especially is very effective at ending or pausing sessions. They just melted off Scott. Conditioning to be hit really pays.

Ian is 18, springy, fast, but a pure dojo warrior with a good life, no issues and no street fighting in his past. That said, he is quick, accurate, and if he gains weight one day could be pretty badass. He worked fast with Scott, but used the controlled methods of pulling shots we are all taught as we're coming up through the ranks. At High Brown, he is doing well. We encouraged him to hit harder, but it's a new game for him. Scott was gracious and didn't hurt him, while going full speed with him. A mark of a good MA guy IMO. All in all, my biggest hope was just to give Ian some exposure to how MA can be, as opposed to how it has to be for our general student body at the school. Plus it's just one more body for Scott to work with MA wise.

This sessions sparring was much, much harder. We really held less back, and the pace was much closer to a ring based bout. On repeated occasions I bounced punishing round kicks onto Scotts arms, legs, gut when I could, tried for the face and head a few times, maybe caught a clip shot or two, a moving target is hard to get. In return I got a few nasty leg kicks that still frigg'n hurt. Wised up and blocked them after that.

I don't want to reveal any of Scotts hand and feet combos, but I will say, they were delievered with excellent regularity this time and were a force to be reckoned with this time around. Unified and effective.

Again, some of the toe to toe punch outs that Scott and Chris exchanged had me wondering if I would have to step in or catch the guy who got knocked out. It was good stuff. Chris is known by almost everyone who has trained with him to be the freaky strongest dude they've ever sparred. It's never fun to stand your ground with him. Scott looked at home in the midst of it all.

During one exchange I faded back off a jab, recovered from a charge and put a nearly, but not quite full jump back spinning kick into Scotts abdomen. It was full on, blunt force. The pace of the fight did not change, again good conditioning was evident.

Another time, I charged Scott as he executed and we clashed with a good impact, I went to hands fast and he moved out. Good instincts even with an unpredicitable move like that. I gained little advantage with it.

12 rounds went fast and this time around I have more injuries than from the other two sessions. My shin pad got turned at one point, so I paid for that with a goose egg sized lump on my shin, all part of the game. Some how, my other foot is black and blue. Most fun I've had sparring in years to be honest.

Scott seems no worse for wear and ready to go.

Hopefully he'll do well at the tournament. Either way, he's stepping up, and that is what counts IMO.

Jack

Dan Chomycia
11-22-2005, 01:52 AM
Thanks for these accounts Jack.
I wish I could have been there.

Scott Sonnon
11-22-2005, 04:14 AM
Jack,

Thanks again, and please extend that thanks to Ian and Chris for the energy and feedback. Although it seemed like I incorporated your suggestions successfully and expediently, it's far from complete. My boxing suffered as I kept distance to time the integrated tactics.

I learn from everyone I encounter, and I took the suggestions you and Chris made into consideration and tested them out today. There are some tactics I'm going to keep for sure, and for that you have my gratitude. I always honor my friends who help me improve and better myself.

My real strength is not my grappling, kickboxing or my boxing. My real strength is that RMAX has taught me how to adapt very rapidly, incorporate essential new tactics, and revamp my strategy on the spot. What I believe separates a very skilled fighter from a great one is who can adapt to the other's game faster. This is why I concentrate so heavily upon learning new skill sets, engaging new challenges and continually testing myself in the unknown and against chaos.

You just can't trust a man who hasn't taken a full force shot to the face. :)

Thanks again, amigo.

Coach Al-mulla
11-22-2005, 04:40 AM
coach sonnon are you going to tape the fight so we can watch it on the fourum?

Scott Sonnon
11-22-2005, 04:48 AM
Yes, our fights will be videotaped. Coach Joe Wilson will be competing as well, so we'll be in each other's corner.

cbeltrante
11-22-2005, 05:31 AM
Scott,

Where and when are the fights going to be held??? I'd like to attend if at all possible!!!

Take care,
Chris

Chuck Kechter
11-22-2005, 09:12 AM
Excellent reporting and summation!

Once again good luck Coach Sonnon!

Also, best of luck to Coach Wilson!

Scott Sonnon
11-22-2005, 09:27 AM
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