first sparring session. . . tips and advice

Sparring escaltes the longer it goes so unless you have firm belief in your stamina dont try and answer every punch taken with one back of your own.

I am having my first sparring session tonight. I am 5'10 165lbs and I am a converted southpaw. Any tips or advice would be helpful. . . . Thanks I appreciate all tips and advice just have fun...thats all...enjoy the experience!!! :fing02:

Dont be one of those aggressive retards who wants to impress the coach/other boxers in the gym because chances are no one gives a fawk if your impressive or not. Focus on observation and try to soak it up as much as you can instead if being fixated on attacking! Hope it helps!

Keep it simple, focus on your Jab and defense.

Thanks again everybody for your tips and advice. Just a update on how it went, obviously there is always room for improvement. Sparred four rounds with a novice opponent did pretty well according to my trainer. I got hit with a few good shots( which is expected) and in return I knocked my opponent down one time in the third round. Overall good experience. Can't wait for the next sparring session. Thanks again

Your first time ?. Keep your hands up at all time chin down and eyes on the target, don't try and go all out obviously, don't rush. You'll probably get in the habit of ducking / bending over when you get pressured but that goes as you spar more. Don't expect your self too be something special or it is going to hit your confidence hard, DO NOT try and imitate any style or try and force yourself too fight a certain style that you like, let your body and training decide it if that makes sense. Most importantly though just relax and try too have fun while you're in there and listen to your trainer.

it's not that bad, just stay calm and relaxed, don't do too much attacking for now. Counter punches hurt a lot more so stick to jabbing moving, getting used to the ring and taking a few shots. Keep your eyes open that way you see things coming and they won't hurt. When you get hit, tell yourself it's not so bad. Once you become relaxed in the ring, start working on your craft.

Good luck and you will have a blast! Here are some tips I have for ya: 1. Many have already said it but don't hold your breath when you punch, exhale and sometimes vocalizing a sound it makes it easier to remember to do so. 2. Don't loop your punches, punch straight and to the target. 3. Don't overcommit or lunge, keep your balance, mind your foot placement and return to your defensive posture in case of counters. 4. Don't cross your feet/legs, always step side to side, sweeping steps. If you cross your legs or feet, you are completely off balance. 5. Rotate your punches, at least 90, up to 180 degrees. It puts more snap on them. 6. Circle away from your opponents power hand, never towards. 7. You are a southpaw so beware counter rights. 8. Tuck your chin and your elbows to protect your body. 9. USE your jab! Double and triple it up if you can and jab to the body too if you are capable. Also use it to setup combinations, unless you are just wickedly fast that you don't need to. 10. Relax and stay loose, don't be tight...have a good time in there. Enjoy!

It's a reality check, especially if you're sparring with someone skilled. The thing with sparring is you just have to 'take it', it sounds bad but it's the way it is. You're gonna be tense, you're gonna be frustrated, and you're probably gonna gass out which makes u unable to correctly execute anything you've learned. If you're facing someone that goes all out, you'll prolly have hard time, tuck your chin, hands up and make the best of it. But that's what it's all about, you have to learn to remain calm, learn how to apply what you've learned in practice. It sucks to feel slow and have everything you throw being countered. Once your confidence starts growing, you will relax more, your defense will become better...and you'll start experimenting with combinations. edit: as mentioned before try to keep your eyes open and keep facing your opponent, it's easier said than done for the first time

Use your foot work. I don't know what your style is and what ability you have within.If you are not the power hitter. Then I suggest try to move in and out and keep your distance. Thanks again for the advice, the style I am trying to incorporate would be more of a boxer /puncher style. If that helps give me more advice

It will be really fun when a non-converted orthodox puts your wannabe pacman ass on the canvas. Lol I didn't convert the style cause I am "wannabe "ok pacman. Good one. I went with the style cause it felt most comfortable for me. But thanks anyways ill use your advice as motivation

Honestly, keep your eyes on your opponent. Don't blink when getting hit/punching opponent, don't look at the ground when you cover up.

keep your hands up, bring your jab back high and breath with your punches. It will be hard to relax your first time, try to remember that you burn more energy when your tense... Good luck bro its fun, I do it 3 times a week.[/QUOTE Thanks bro I appreciate the advice

Float like a butterfly sting like a flea. Rumble young man, rumble.:stooges:

haha, first time sparring. Depending on who you fight, it will either really suck, or it will be alright. Either way, you're never going to feel more alive. Trust me on that one.

Good luck. I got the same build and stance. Without getting too technical or copying any of the other posters: - Keep your eyes open, be alert, don't get too comfortable.

punch the other guy in the face

Use your foot work. I don't know what your style is and what ability you have within.If you are not the power hitter. Then I suggest try to move in and out and keep your distance.

keep your hands up, bring your jab back high and breath with your punches. It will be hard to relax your first time, try to remember that you burn more energy when your tense... Good luck bro its fun, I do it 3 times a week. Great advice try not to tense up, and don't hold your breath. You will probably do it anyway, as most people do the first time...but you can try.

It's going to be seriously hard, and you will forget almost everythin you have learned once you get hit, but don't get put off by one session. If you stick with it will get easier and you will get better. I am not going to get too technical because at this early stage it is not so important, but try to pace yourself, 3 minutes is a really long time. My first sparring session was the longest 3 minutes of my life, I moved a lot and threw quite a lot of punches, and then I looked at the clock and there was only a minute gone and I literally had to gulp for air, it was a horrible feeling. I laid on the ropes and covered up for all of the rest of the round and took a pummelling, I was lucky the guy took it easy. Hope that helps, I know what I have written might be negative but hopefully it will help prepare you mentally because I didn't really get that. Like I said it gets easier and it becomes reaally enjoyable when you get better.