Yesterday I had my first real sparring session. Not sure if I wanna spar again.

[Socal326]

This is exactly how I'm feeling. I've been to one sparring session and left with a headache, a bloody nose and I felt sick to my stomach for a few days. It's been a couple of months and I've come to the conclusion that starting out, I should never have been put in a position where full power punches were being exchanged.

I didn't know better because I wasn't given any instruction and everyone else was doing the same thing but next time I will demand a slow controlled pace so I have a safe place to learn. If my partner won't respect that, I'll exit the ring and try with someone else.

[Butt stuff]

When I went to my first gym, I was a bit older, in my early 20s and they threw me in the deep end with sparring.

First guy who was at least 4-5 years younger than me, beat the **** out of me just winging hooks as hard as he could. When the buzzer finally went we started to climb out and the trainer told me to stay in and a new kid jumped in. By the end of that one my nose was pissing blood and I tried to jump out but he did the same thing again, new kid in.

It was pretty embarrassing getting my ass handed to me by 3 teenagers I was pissed! I swear the trainer just told the kids go as hard as you can on this guy.

[Redd Foxx]

When I went to my first gym, I was a bit older, in my early 20s and they threw me in the deep end with sparring.

First guy who was at least 4-5 years younger than me, beat the **** out of me just winging hooks as hard as he could. When the buzzer finally went we started to climb out and the trainer told me to stay in and a new kid jumped in. By the end of that one my nose was pissing blood and I tried to jump out but he did the same thing again, new kid in.

It was pretty embarrassing getting my ass handed to me by 3 teenagers I was pissed! I swear the trainer just told the kids go as hard as you can on this guy.

I was expecting a twist or morale-building statement at the end of that story. Nope, just ended in humiliation. lol
Respect for the honesty though.

[2ofEverything]

Lol some of my threads around a year and half ago would have gone something like yours. I just started getting in the ring and everyone was beating the **** out of me, I was walking around with a busted face most of the time and no motivation to train or get back in the ring.

I told myself I would force myself back into the ring for a minimum of 6 months to determine whether or not I truly hated boxing. After about a month or two I started getting the hang of it and catching guys out. I really started to enjoy sparring and everything turned around.

Honestly man, it sucks.... at first. But if you can tough it out for a little while you'll be good.

[_Maxi]

So many good posts, thanks to all. Yeah, I already feel like I might spar again in a few weeks.

[aboutfkntime]

Good thread, Maxi. Bravo for getting in the ring, as well as being honest about the experience. I can relate to a lot of that. When you have a good life and don't need boxing to prove anything to yourself, sparing can seem like an idiot's venture. Though I've done it and will do it again, I fully believe that the brain jarring that happens in sparring is not without consequence. Even a little bit of brain damage is still brain damage.

I also understand what you mean about hurting the other guy. I love combat sports and have a fierce desire to win that makes me very aggressive in training. But, I don't like hurting my training partners. I'll confess that I've actually become a far better body puncher because I feel less guilty about hitting the mid section than the face. I seriously hurt a guy in jiu jitsu once and since then have preferred to be cautious.

That said, something still draws me back. Because I love the competition, the danger, the pain, the pride. If there's anything about it that you truly liked, go at it again. Maybe do it somewhere else though. It sounds like you were just thrown in there. A good coach will get you better prepared, and start you light. Yes, you can control your strength in sparring and I personally consider that to be a sign of skill. My coach would always tell us what percent to put in and we understood. Some guys, mostly insecure ones, try to steamroll you but if you're clever you can put them in check (a right to the solar plexus is my go-to for saying "back the fk down").

Headgear is overrated as it doesn't stop concussive blows and makes you actually get hit more. But, it will mitigate a lot of those cuts and bruises that are bothering you today.

I hope you stick with it but no shame if you don't. Getting punched in the face is a ****** hobby. But, damn it can be so rewarding.

GREAT post !

the only thing I could add would be that very few - if any - good trainers would permit their guys to spar with no headgear..... that is completely pointless, and can serve no good.....

..... yep headgear can be distracting and take some getting used to..... but any decent amateur who wants to fight eventually will have to use headgear, so it makes sense to start using it in the gym.....

and novice amateurs can have a lot of head-clashes, maxi even said he lost his stance, and guys can sometimes make wild unnecessary evasive manoeuvres

[aboutfkntime]

This is exactly how I'm feeling. I've been to one sparring session and left with a headache, a bloody nose and I felt sick to my stomach for a few days. It's been a couple of months and I've come to the conclusion that starting out, I should never have been put in a position where full power punches were being exchanged.

I didn't know better because I wasn't given any instruction and everyone else was doing the same thing but next time I will demand a slow controlled pace so I have a safe place to learn. If my partner won't respect that, I'll exit the ring and try with someone else.

that is fkn ridiculous

I know you guys are older, but I would get fired for letting kids spar under those conditions.....

try having one of those conversations with the kids parent

you don't let kids/novices spar until they learn how to defend themselves..... and never full-sparring, not until they are ready..... kids train for weeks before they do any kind of sparring whatsoever

and matching kids correctly is most important

if you are a novice, and you are getting hurt, there is something wrong

[aboutfkntime]

When I went to my first gym, I was a bit older, in my early 20s and they threw me in the deep end with sparring.

First guy who was at least 4-5 years younger than me, beat the **** out of me just winging hooks as hard as he could. When the buzzer finally went we started to climb out and the trainer told me to stay in and a new kid jumped in. By the end of that one my nose was pissing blood and I tried to jump out but he did the same thing again, new kid in.

It was pretty embarrassing getting my ass handed to me by 3 teenagers I was pissed! I swear the trainer just told the kids go as hard as you can on this guy.

ridiculous !!

they should be investigated

who the fk would come back after that ?

they don't like membership fee's ?

[aboutfkntime]

if not 100% happy, change gym's.....

[Butt stuff]

ridiculous !!

they should be investigated

who the fk would come back after that ?

they don't like membership fee's ?

I didn't go back, I switched gyms. I don't know if the trainer was trying to **** with me or what, but I didn't go to the gym to become a pro fighter, just to learn how to fight.