Staying calm and not buring your energy

[StefanTosic]

It's all about getting used to it and the experience of actually doing it.

I remember there was a guy from my club, but training in the other gym with the other coach (my club has 2 different boxing gyms under the same roof), who I used to spar with a couple of times just in front of his coach, so I was very relaxed, as I always am in the ring. I didn't have a single amateur bout, while he already had some amateur bouts under his belt. I used to outbox him all the time.

Than the time came where I started preparing for my first competition and we had the sparring day in front of all the couches from our gym, their coleagues and the president of the club. It was like nothing before. Plus, as I never used to go hard on my opponents, this time my coach told me to go for the kill. Right away I started throwing wild bombs (and missing them), I couldn't land a single punch on him, despite honestly knowing I had the better skills and knowing that he never went easy on me during our previous sparring sessions when I used to outbox him. The difference was this time I was under this kind of pressure for the first time in the boxing ring.

[b Murphington]

Making someone feel that pressure is a skill. When I spar with Juan, a former pro who taught pro boxers down in Mexico, he just has a skill of making me feel pressure unlike anyone else that I spar with. I don't think it's a psychological thing, but he's extremely good at cutting off the ring and I feel like I need to throw just to try to keep him at bay. Usually I'm the aggressor and moving forward, and I do that with Juan, but he definitely is much better at ring generalship than the other guys I spar.

I actually had someone tell me the exact same thing. He told me that he always feels like he needs to throw a lot against me.

[Ren28]

This whole post is why running can go to hell. Sparring/shadow boxing/heavy bag work is the way to go... I always want to stay in tune with my craft. can't do that running.

[Coyote142]

Wow great responses guys!

After much mediation after that sparring sessions, I've decided that experience is the only key ingredient I am missing. Everything else will come with it. I guess I am going through growing pains.

[Coyote142]

Just got done sparring this morning. Concentrated on staying relaxed and quit throwing looping punches. My coach says it was the best round i had since I have been there, I was still tired as hell after three rounds though. I will keep progressing though and just keep doing whatever my coach tells me too. For now just concentrating on throwing double jab right cross and mixing in body shots. I enjoy throwing those big hooks and it feels good, but after looking at video of myself you i look like an idiot doing it. Got a video of myself sparring today, I will upload it later and let yall critique me.

[Hnnnggg]

Honestly nerves, there are guys I’m not too concerned with, the rounds seem to fly by. Then there are guys who are far above me, that I’ve noticed fatigue quickly sets in. Most likely because I’m overreacting in every exchange. The more comfortable you get the less energy you expend.

[OctoberRed]

Honestly nerves, there are guys I’m not too concerned with, the rounds seem to fly by. Then there are guys who are far above me, that I’ve noticed fatigue quickly sets in. Most likely because I’m overreacting in every exchange. The more comfortable you get the less energy you expend.

Which is why I try to stay as calm as possible regardless of the situation.

[Coyote142]

Got the videos from yesterday, i look like crap. This was one of the rounds. Also here are the things I already know:
1) Dont ever dip my head down and throw looping hooks again
2) Dont move my head sideways and back when getting hit
3) Don't move my head back and leave my chin exposed when moving back
4) Maintain my poise, feet position and balance at all times
5) Be quicker...lol
6) Throw more combos and quit hesitating/worrying about the other guys punches
7) Quit covering up when im getting hit and look at my opponent. (That is my biggest thing right now, trying to get over that mental hurdle)

I am the taller guy in the green shirt, I am sparring a guy who has been training a lot longer than me but is shorter/smaller. (I am 5'9 168 pounds) Critique away boys.

https://********/skGQgUW_pI8

[OctoberRed]

Got the videos from yesterday, i look like crap. This was one of the rounds. Also here are the things I already know:
1) Dont ever dip my head down and throw looping hooks again
2) Dont move my head sideways and back when getting hit
3) Don't move my head back and leave my chin exposed when moving back
4) Maintain my poise, feet position and balance at all times
5) Be quicker...lol
6) Throw more combos and quit hesitating/worrying about the other guys punches
7) Quit covering up when im getting hit and look at my opponent. (That is my biggest thing right now, trying to get over that mental hurdle)

I am the taller guy in the green shirt, I am sparring a guy who has been training a lot longer than me but is shorter/smaller. (I am 5'9 168 pounds) Critique away boys.

https://********/skGQgUW_pI8

There are def some holes in the defense, but you see that full well already.