First Time Sparring: My experience...any advice?

[Makunouchi]

- First things first, everything I thought I knew was thrown out the window and the only things that stayed were habits I built up.
- I was immediately struck by how much my hands move when my guard is punched. Tried to make it more rigid but would appreciate tips in this area.
- When I went to the body I would get jabbed in the face or end up hitting the hip bone instead of the stomach (accuracy issues because of the heavy bag, height difference?)
-When I would try to rush in my opponent would just kind of hold me at arms length and slam me with three hit combos...embarrassing
- Sometimes I would slip past my opponent and lose balance when connecting punches.
-I'm not nearly as quick at slipping or as graceful as I thought I was.
-More trouble judging distance than I though I would have. My big left (southpaw) seemed to land on the ear more than the jaw and my lead hook had problems with not landing at all, either it was short or I was too slow I couldn't tell.
Its the next day and my lip hurts, my chest has a sore spot. My shoulder hurts from what I assume is hyperextension and my left hamstring aches pretty bad. All together it was a great experience and was much more fun than any of the training I have done.

[Jc8804]

- First things first, everything I thought I knew was thrown out the window and the only things that stayed were habits I built up.
- I was immediately struck by how much my hands move when my guard is punched. Tried to make it more rigid but would appreciate tips in this area.
- When I went to the body I would get jabbed in the face or end up hitting the hip bone instead of the stomach (accuracy issues because of the heavy bag, height difference?)
-When I would try to rush in my opponent would just kind of hold me at arms length and slam me with three hit combos...embarrassing
- Sometimes I would slip past my opponent and lose balance when connecting punches.
-I'm not nearly as quick at slipping or as graceful as I thought I was.
-More trouble judging distance than I though I would have. My big left (southpaw) seemed to land on the ear more than the jaw and my lead hook had problems with not landing at all, either it was short or I was too slow I couldn't tell.
Its the next day and my lip hurts, my chest has a sore spot. My shoulder hurts from what I assume is hyperextension and my left hamstring aches pretty bad. All together it was a great experience and was much more fun than any of the training I have done.

Seems to me like your first session was against
Well experienced gym rat.
Spar guys with tour experience level. Meaning
They only sparred once as well. In 2 months take it up a notch and spar that same guy in 4 months. You should be fine.
Work head movement drills as much as you can

[Ivansmamma]

Sounds like normal first sparring. Rest inside of gloves on your forehead and tense up your arm and shoulder at moment of impact when blocking. Then you should be fine as long as the opponent dosen't have great size and strenght advantage. Look at how arthur abraham does it.

Judging distance better will come in time as long as you keep sparring.

[Holywarrior]

I hate when people go full ****** in sparring. Just try and keep cool and relax and work on your technique. Usually when you do this your partner will realize it and follow suit.

Not every session has to be a gym war.

[Makunouchi]

No it was his first time sparring too, I just only mentioned the things I did wrong because those were the things that bothered me about it. He kept leaning into my left hook which in a real match would have had him down at the least, and he got cornered easily which led to me landing a lot of body shots. I do plan on working the head movement drills as much as possible because I noticed that he missed me a lot when I moved my head naturally rather than trying to dodge, it was more of a timing thing I guess. It looked like a dodge but really I was just moving my head right before he threw the punch...if that makes sense.
And I'll try to keep my guard tighter/ closer to my face at times with more rigidity.
I don't think I went full ****** but it just seemed like all the things I practiced stopped working so I stuck to the basics. Honestly I could have refined my techniques more during the session instead of abandoning my more complex tools because I became discouraged.
It wasn't precisely a gym war but we did go harder than we should have probably.
Thanks for all the advice guys, if you have anything else let me know I'm looking for tips anywhere I can and trying to keep an open mind.

[RichCCFC]

Work on footwork, guard, balance and jab before anything else.

Worry about left hooks and body shots after you can hit and not get hit successfully and land your jab.

[Beercules]

Sounds like a normal first time expirence to me.

How expirenced was the guy you sparred?

[Syf]

- First things first, everything I thought I knew was thrown out the window and the only things that stayed were habits I built up.
- I was immediately struck by how much my hands move when my guard is punched. Tried to make it more rigid but would appreciate tips in this area.
- When I went to the body I would get jabbed in the face or end up hitting the hip bone instead of the stomach (accuracy issues because of the heavy bag, height difference?)
-When I would try to rush in my opponent would just kind of hold me at arms length and slam me with three hit combos...embarrassing
- Sometimes I would slip past my opponent and lose balance when connecting punches.
-I'm not nearly as quick at slipping or as graceful as I thought I was.
-More trouble judging distance than I though I would have. My big left (southpaw) seemed to land on the ear more than the jaw and my lead hook had problems with not landing at all, either it was short or I was too slow I couldn't tell.
Its the next day and my lip hurts, my chest has a sore spot. My shoulder hurts from what I assume is hyperextension and my left hamstring aches pretty bad. All together it was a great experience and was much more fun than any of the training I have done.

I like how much you have learned from the getgo. Your distance issues can be remedied by utilizing the jab to set up shots. Guard being budged is really a strength issue, so get on those pushups and other arm and chest excercises.. having a natural rhythm is good but dont become predictable or they will time you. Also.. if you are getting jabbed when you go to his body you are probably telegraphing your punches. Dont look at the area you are punching it betrays your intent.. have a softer eye.. look at your whole opponent. And use feints to get them out of position or to draw out the jab..then counter that sonnofa***** with a jab of your own and a straight left for good measure!

Or.. draw out the jab THEN throw a right hook downstairs.


Dont throw the same punch over and over or they will time you. Keep your shot selection varied... or at least your rhythm..

Sounds like a good first session man.. that good hurt nahmean?

[Makunouchi]

The guy had less training than me and was a little wild in the way he threw, he also switched stance from regular to southpaw twice mid round which was weird. Yeah my balance was ****e, and my conditioning/ strength are pretty mediocre. I think my jab is pretty good and the thing I have worked on the most. I do definitely need use it to set the table more often sometimes I lead with my back hand without thinking about it and like you said Syf I think I was giving away that I was going to the body way too early (didn't set up with the jab kind of went in with my head down each time which was a clear sign). This guy I was sparring had a real natural fighting instinct so I think he could see my intent alot easier than I could see his.
Your advise was very concise and useful Syf I'm gonna have another sparring session soon with the same opponent and I'll let y'all know how it goes.

[Makunouchi]

Thanks for the advice on Arthur Abraham btw I just watched his match with Jermain Taylor and his guard was simple, effective, and became an easy reference point to practice my own.