Sparring Tips Plz

[bailie]

I just leveled up to advanced class and am starting to spar... I'm totally a newbie and have been really concentrating on my footwork, finding my distance, throwing jabs to the head & body and effectively throwing my right. I get grouped with a lot of advanced people that will go all out and just throw crazy combos... last night I got rocked in the body a lot. I'm guessing because I'm primarily throwing my jabs and right that they are waiting for the opportunity to go into the body. Unfortunately, for me, I'm not sure when they are down punching my body what kind of counter I should throw (try for an uppercut?). Also, I'm not yet sure how to effectively move in to work the body....

I know I just gotta get as much sparring time in to learn, but as of right now I feel like I totally suck and am kind of embarrassed when people are watching. Anyways, anyone have any advice for a newb trying to learn how to spar? Any good combos to try throwing? Any good defense techniques? I've been really working on circling and trying not to move straight back when defending..

Thanks.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

I just leveled up to advanced class and am starting to spar... I'm totally a newbie and have been really concentrating on my footwork, finding my distance, throwing jabs to the head & body and effectively throwing my right. I get grouped with a lot of advanced people that will go all out and just throw crazy combos... last night I got rocked in the body a lot. I'm guessing because I'm primarily throwing my jabs and right that they are waiting for the opportunity to go into the body. Unfortunately, for me, I'm not sure when they are down punching my body what kind of counter I should throw (try for an uppercut?). Also, I'm not yet sure how to effectively move in to work the body....

I know I just gotta get as much sparring time in to learn, but as of right now I feel like I totally suck and am kind of embarrassed when people are watching. Anyways, anyone have any advice for a newb trying to learn how to spar? Any good combos to try throwing? Any good defense techniques? I've been really working on circling and trying not to move straight back when defending..

Thanks.

You nailed it. The biggest problem I see with inexperienced fighters is they move straight back or pull their heads straight back....BIG NO NO.

Keep your hands up, move to the side or duck down. Especially if a guy is coming in with wild shots from the outside, the worst thing you can do is pull straight back because you are right in the way of the punches.

Close the distance and cover up.

As far as countering the body shots. Keep your elbows in tight and bend over a little at the waist while twisting to the side he's throwing punches from.

Bottom line is, don't be embarrassed, at least your out there doing something. Practice makes perfect and the most important aspect of boxing is your footwork. Just keep sparring and in time, everything will slow down.

[bailie]

You nailed it. The biggest problem I see with inexperienced fighters is they move straight back or pull their heads straight back....BIG NO NO.

Keep your hands up, move to the side or duck down. Especially if a guy is coming in with wild shots from the outside, the worst thing you can do is pull straight back because you are right in the way of the punches.

Close the distance and cover up.

As far as countering the body shots. Keep your elbows in tight and bend over a little at the waist while twisting to the side he's throwing punches from.

Bottom line is, don't be embarrassed, at least your out there doing something. Practice makes perfect and the most important aspect of boxing is your footwork. Just keep sparring and in time, everything will slow down.

Thanks so much for the advice!! I really need to start closing the distance and moving my feet. It's good to hear that things will slows down with practice because as of right now everything seems to be going so crazy fast.

[synchronize]

i have the same problem as you i had my 5th spa last night and got smashed

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Thanks so much for the advice!! I really need to start closing the distance and moving my feet. It's good to hear that things will slows down with practice because as of right now everything seems to be going so crazy fast.

i have the same problem as you i had my 5th spa last night and got smashed

I always tell my fighters to RELAX!!! At first things will be going a million miles per hour, that's natural. Just relax and remember, that sometimes what your body wants to do instinctively is thw wrong thing to do. Pulling back or retreating backwards seem right but it's the worst thing you can do.

Slip out of the way from anlges. I use a training method with my young fighters that is almost like a pivot drill in basketball.

Draw a big cross on the floor, like 4x4 feet. Then put your lead foot (Left foot if you are a righty) in the center of the cross. Then pivot from left to right, using only your back foot and not moving the lead "pivot" foot.

After a while you can incorporate slipping and ducking at the same time when you get more comfortable. This is a great technique to teach yourself to move from side to side, not straight back.

[mrboxer]

get into another sport,you are not cut out for boxing,try ping pong,and see if you like it

[#1Assassin]

thats the way it is when u first start out bro. u sound like a smart guy. keep focusing on footwork and using the jab. try to stay relaxed in there, work hard on the basics and you will be dishing it out instead of being on the receiving end shortly. keep sparring and getting used to the contact, with experience everything will kind of slow down after a while. also shadowbox alot and get those basics down, make fighting muscle memory.

a tip for the short term is start feinting, since you are new and not doing alot of things these guys are looking for that jab and timing it. feint and counter a bit. double up on it too.

keep working hard and it will turn around.

[putaloco]

#1think quickly.
#2Throw your jab at full force.
#3 keep your elbows in to block the body and counter with uppers
#4 when you duck use your knees instead of your waist.
#5 Never take your sight away from your sparring partner.

[Eric Holder]

I always tell my fighters to RELAX!!! At first things will be going a million miles per hour, that's natural. Just relax and remember, that sometimes what your body wants to do instinctively is thw wrong thing to do. Pulling back or retreating backwards seem right but it's the worst thing you can do.

Slip out of the way from anlges. I use a training method with my young fighters that is almost like a pivot drill in basketball.

Draw a big cross on the floor, like 4x4 feet. Then put your lead foot (Left foot if you are a righty) in the center of the cross. Then pivot from left to right, using only your back foot and not moving the lead "pivot" foot.
After a while you can incorporate slipping and ducking at the same time when you get more comfortable. This is a great technique to teach yourself to move from side to side, not straight back.

that sounds like a good drill to practice

[bailie]

Awesome tips. I'm definitely going to be practicing that pivot drill. I feel like my slips are so slow right now, but I'm sure with practice and keeping my eye on my opponent/punches will help with that...