Sparring Question: solution for short reach.

[Fearless]

I have short reach, I can never reach the guy's face just by jabbing normally, its starting to irritate me because in sparring I jab the guy's glove and not the face, whereas everyone else is getting into my face.

Any pointers for that? Slipping? Can someone explain slipping to a newb like me? Thanks

And also, how do I get to the habbit where I am focusing more on speed rather than power when sparring, I have this habbit where I'm trying to inflict pain with power and not focusing on speed.

Thanks, much appreciated.

[ReadyUp]

I don't really know what to tell you because my reach is great factor for me.

But as far as you wanting to focus more on speed. While sparring you shouldn't really be trying to knock your sparring partner out or hurt him really bad with power shots. This is your time to try different things and get comfortable. You don't win points for hurting your sparring partners.

[machotime]

I have short reach, I can never reach the guy's face just by jabbing normally, its starting to irritate me because in sparring I jab the guy's glove and not the face, whereas everyone else is getting into my face.

Any pointers for that? Slipping? Can someone explain slipping to a newb like me? Thanks

And also, how do I get to the habbit where I am focusing more on speed rather than power when sparring, I have this habbit where I'm trying to inflict pain with power and not focusing on speed.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Are you shorter than most of your sparring partners too? If you are you can use your lack of hieght as an advantage. If you have a short reach, you should focus on lateral movement/footwork. Although Inflicting pain on your sparring partner is fun, that is not the purpose. Try to outsmart, not overpower your sparring partner. Only you can change what you are focused on.

[enadeus]

I'm Russian so we have short, compact hands, kind of like Fedor of MMA has. What I have to use is my speed, there no way I'm going to outjab a person unless I go to the body. Speed is key, and targeting punches with full power.

[JoeTheRock7]

reach

This is not a difficult question and I hope my advice is helpful. A good fight to look at was Peter Mnfredo's fight yesterday as he was at a reach disadvantage against Scott Pemberton. The answer is proper upper body movement. When you go into spar next time do not charge but start moving in on your opponent steadily. As you move in start jabbing and moving your head nd upper body back up your opponent and get inside a shorter reach is an advantage on the inside because your opponent will have more trouble hitting you. Once on the inside, start working the body with uppercuts and hooks. He will be protecting his face so split his guard and then go for the face, but hammer the body first. and remember get inside.

[ricecrispi]

How tall are you and what is you reach? Is the jab getting blocked or not just getting to the target? Just because you can't jab them doesn't mean you have short reach. Maybe cuz you jab stinks or your hands are too low or dont return to the head etc.

Slipping won't help with the jab if you have a bad jab and short reach. Better off counter with a better punch.

Work on the mechanics of you jab by shadow boxing in the mirror.
Might have to change the jab a little for taller opponents. Spar allowing two people to use the jab only. Jab the chest and stomach instead if the guy is too tall. Practice with tainer on mitts using the jab only and focus on combos.

[El Guapo]

I have short reach, I can never reach the guy's face just by jabbing normally, its starting to irritate me because in sparring I jab the guy's glove and not the face, whereas everyone else is getting into my face.

Any pointers for that? Slipping? Can someone explain slipping to a newb like me? Thanks

And also, how do I get to the habbit where I am focusing more on speed rather than power when sparring, I have this habbit where I'm trying to inflict pain with power and not focusing on speed.

Thanks, much appreciated.

im a tall fighter so i know about jabbing, and about how the opponant will move, i hope
so slipping. try to anticipate the oppositions jab and move your head side to side a little, as if you cant decide which way to go! like hatton-

thats a slip in the end result. as for hooks you want to duck them, but dont go straight down, go down then under the arm thats throwing the punch

, and maybe throw a hook to their head or ribs.
and upper cuts you want to lean to the side and back away from them.
moving from a punch can get you caght out bad, so train hard on avoiding punches in sparring and dodge your head from the speed ball like tyson did to get your ducking and leaning agility up!

[LightsOut Le]

fight on the inside..i had a sparring session today..all i did was... move in and out.. set up with a short jab.. moved to the inside and jsut attacked the body... if your short use it...if the other guy is tall then he has long arms.. so that means he cant jab if your right next to his stomach...fight on the inside..!

[ClydeErwinBarretto]

Hey what's up, I'm not too tall and I have short reach also but I've been able to always get my jabs in by letting my hands go and doing a lot more than double jabs while moving around his jab. But I'm an unnatural south paw too so I end up throwing jabs pretty quick. Try working on upper body and head movement and footwork to to get in and throw hooks to the body which I do a lot and then hook to the body hook to the head.

[Scottie2Hottie]

ive got short reach too, and im a short guy, only about 5'6'' and some change. what everyone else said tends to work for me too...fight your way inside. work on your footwork and lateral movement, if youre tricky enough, you can bob, weave, and slip your way inside, where you'll be able to land short hooks and uppercuts.