Sparring - Again

I want to spar more.

This is a shocking statement coming from me. When I was a green belt I used to conveniently forget my sparring gear in the car. After I would gear up, I tried to blend into the background. This would only last for a few minutes and inevitably I would get called to a ring. Once I was out on the floor I was fine and even enjoyed the class.

We fought again in class tonight. My movement felt better - slow but better. We started class with a high energy movement drill that prepared us for free sparring. I always was more of a counter-fighter than an offensive fighter. I still favor left foot forward leaving my new ACL in the back. There was one fight where I fought right foot forward (new ACL) the entire time. The interesting thing that I noticed was when my right foot was forward I was closer to my opponent. It was suggested that I may be moving closer because I feel I need to use my hands instead of my feet. I also decided that conservation of movement was key. I am not able to change direction or move too quickly. I need to make my techniques count and I need to focus on angular movement.

Who would have thought that it would take ACL reconstruction to give me a renewed appreciation of sparring?