NATCHEZ — Sam Ferguson bolted to one side of the gym at Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts after hearing the words “stomach throw” mentioned by his instructor Ken Rogers.

“I don’t want to do it,” he said. “Don’t make me do it.”

Sam’s eyes started to glisten, and his chin started to quiver. The 10-year old insisted he could not do the move that involves grabbing a sparing partner by the collar and flipping them over into the cushioned wrestling mats.

“Take a deep breath,” Rogers said. “You can do this.”

Sam, an orange belt who has been taking classes since he was in second grade, is afraid of every part of the move.

From being lifted up to flying through the air and hitting the ground, Sam is terrified.

But it’s his fears that make Sam — an articulate and energetic student — want to do martial arts.

“It is about overcoming your fears to use self defense,” he said.

Anna Ferguson enrolled her son in classes after he had some trouble on the playground. She wanted to give him discipline.

“He is the kind of kid that would rather be sitting on the sofa than playing outside,” she said. “He considers himself a hardcore gamer.”

Needless to say, the physical nature of martial arts is not Sam’s forte.

Back in the gym, Sam settled down and controlled his breathing.

Rogers got on his back, took Sam by the collar and put his feet on Sam’s stomach. He slowly lifted Sam so he could get a feel for the throw. At the highest point of the throw, Rogers put Sam back down.

Sam was put at ease once back on the ground.

By the end of the class, Sam was doing the move with a smile on his face, laughing after hitting the ground.

Every class, Sam is given new moves and tasks that he fears. He soldiers forward.

“I don’t get more comfortable with it, but I overcome it,” he said.

“Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to do things.”