[sirdarksol]

When people ignore the "threat" that I offer them, I put more into it. For example, if sirdarling's parries are only half-assed while we're doing our partner drills, I'll strike out while he's still setting himself up for the next drill, just to remind him that I'm there, I have a 6' piece of solid red oak with which to bash his skull, and if he doesn't take it seriously, he's going to learn just what that feels like. He does the same to me periodically (mostly reminding me that he can put quite a bit more strength behind his attacks).
I've done the same thing in sparring. If someone thinks that they're just going to toy around with me, I'll put enough force into a couple of strikes to nudge them into more action. If they don't get the hint, I'll explain that I need them to take the sparring more seriously or we might as well not do it.