Sparring Concussions

[James Bond]

So I've never had a concussion that I can think of. Till last Sunday.

After class I asked my instructor if he wanted to spar. I've seen him do it with another student so I figured it would be a good learning experience. He said sure and we donned headgear, gloves etc.

The session ended pretty fast. I took a hard right hook to the left side of my head. Never saw it coming. Not sure if it was the head gear or that he was just faster than I could see. Anyway, I saw black for a millisecond. Didn't think much of it though. Put my hands up to catch my composure for a sec. Then we touched gloves and were back at it. Then I caught a cross and another hard hook. Same thing. Never saw it. Same result. I had a really hard time thinking. Put my hands up and called it quits. Didn't' feel like I could think or react properly to fight.

I walked around to catch my breath a bit. My instructor asked if I was mad at him. I said no.

I drove home. Felt like I was a little drunk. Had to think to focus on things. Was super tired.

It's getting better. But I still feel tired and don't' trust doing anything that will stress my head.

Sucks. No gym, no training, no biking, don't even have the same energy for sex.


Anyone else have this happen to them?

How long till it goes away and I can train again?

Ug. FML

[Methos]

Concussions are nothing to fuck around with. I've never had one but the same person always comes to mind when I hear the word concussion... Taylor Twellman... soccer player who had 5 documented concussions throughout his career and had to retire early because of them. He retired in 2010 and still has many effects as a result of post concussion syndrome. I checked his websites to see what he has about concussions and he has an organization to raise awareness.

He talks about some of the side effects in this clip. Keep in mind this is YEARS later. It's something that is probably going to be with him the rest of his life. When he says "Brain" he is talking about Brian McBride, another USA soccer player who also sustained concussions during his career.


http://www.thinktaylor.org/101.html

[James Bond]

Concussions are nothing to fuck around with. I've never had one but the same person always comes to mind when I hear the word concussion... Taylor Twellman... soccer player who had 5 documented concussions throughout his career and had to retire early because of them. He retired in 2010 and still has many effects as a result of post concussion syndrome. I checked his websites to see what he has about concussions and he has an organization to raise awareness.

He talks about some of the side effects in this clip. Keep in mind this is YEARS later. It's something that is probably going to be with him the rest of his life. When he says "Brain" he is talking about Brian McBride, another USA soccer player who also sustained concussions during his career.


http://www.thinktaylor.org/101.html

Thanks.
The vertigo part scares me. I'm a pilot. If I get that permanantly it ends my career.

[James Bond]

What the video link? It won't play. Maybe cause I'm in Canada?

[Ice]

agree with methos - nothing to fuck around with.

I had a concussion when I was at soccer a few years ago

drove myself to ER. had assessment done - which you should too. definitely no stressful activities, the main thing for you now is recovery. If this just happened go to to a doc.

You shouldn't be going to bed when you have a concussion - might not wake back up.

Also - not sure about your mma instructor hitting you to the point of concussion.

[James Bond]

agree with methos - nothing to fuck around with.

I had a concussion when I was at soccer a few years ago

drove myself to ER. had assessment done - which you should too. definitely no stressful activities, the main thing for you now is recovery. If this just happened go to to a doc.

You shouldn't be going to bed when you have a concussion - might not wake back up.

Also - not sure about your mma instructor hitting you to the point of concussion.

Thanks guys. I finally broke down and went to ER. Now I'm waiting. Gotta love Canada.
I feel worse today than yesterday.

Yeah I never expected to get hit that hard that fast by my instructor. It was the first time we sparred. I felt like it was a fight level punch. Even with the 16oz gloves and headgear. I trusted him before, but I'm having my doubts now. I figured it would be a learning experience but all I've learned is my head hurts and I don't feel normal.

[Bravo]

how long have you trained with him?

trained in general?

how often do guys spar with him?

he could be a spaz, you might just be not use to running with the wolves, or he could have greenlit you to knock you down a peg or 2...

impossible to know without more info

[James Bond]

how long have you trained with him?

trained in general?

how often do guys spar with him?

he could be a spaz, you might just be not use to running with the wolves, or he could have greenlit you to knock you down a peg or 2...

impossible to know without more info

I've trained with him since the end of January. For the past three months I've also taken a private lesson with him once a week.

This is the first serious martial arts training I've taken.
I also train at the gym and am pretty strong in general.

I've only seen one other guy spar with him a while ago.

Not being able to see the punches out of the headgear might of been a problem. But he's pretty fast so I'm not sure it would have made a difference.

I may have bit off more than I could handle. I assumed he would spar to my level. Clearly I was wrong.
He's got a military background with a lot of aggression training. Usually he's very quiet spoken and won't give people more than they can handle.
He might have assumed I could handle it. I'm 6'3" 190lbs, athletic build and generally a high pain tolerance. So I could be intimidating with sparring goggles on.

After he calmly asked if I was mad at him. So he at least faked not being self obsessed.

Once or twice in the past he has commented on me being stronger than him and that i could easially do a certain exercise he was teaching me. but it seemed odd. Maybe he sees me as a threat and wanted to knock me down.

I have to call and tell him that I can't make my lesson on Saturday cause the doctor has order me to rest for a while. I'm curious what he'll say.

I'm not used to concussions. They kinda scary me. But I've also really enjoyed training. Maybe when I get better ill find a different instructor. I really liked working with this guy. But I can't afford another concussion. So I'm wary

[James Bond]

Talked to my instructor today. He was really surprised and apologized.
I don't have any hard feelings,I don't think he intended it. Things just happen when your sparring sometimes.

[lfthk1]

Instructors should not be CRUSHING students. Concussions suck...dizziness, throwing up etc. not good! If you have a headgear that doesn't fit correctly, get one that does! Happy training!
I think there is a study by a doctor associated with USA Boxing that proves head gear doesn't help minimize concussions....the biggest reason in my opinion for headgear is minimizing cuts etc