First Time Sparring Guide
You have practiced the basics in endless rounds of shadowboxing, bagwork, padwork and partner-based drills, and are now ready for sparring. How do you prepare for your first time?
To be clear, sparring is contact-based training that is as close to boxing as it gets - boxing round(s) between two people of equal weight and skill, with head gear, mouth guard, groin guard, 16oz gloves, and a qualified coach to supervise.
There are two types of sparring: conditional and full. Conditional sparring is light contact, and has extra conditions to focus on technique, such as specific punches and blocks practiced as a drill. This helps prepare boxers for full sparring gradually. Full sparring is without the extra conditions.
Here are some tips to make your first full sparring experience a good one:
1. Accept that you are going to get hit.
This may be obvious but many first-time boxers are so afraid of getting hit that they negate the very purpose of the sparring, which is to learn. Assuming you have the appropriate gear, and a qualified coach supervising, don’t be the person who just floats like a butterfly the whole time. This doesn’t mean you need to become Mike Tyson. There needs to be a middle ground.
2. Look at your opponent.
Look towards the chest and shoulder area, using more of your peripheral vision rather than your focal vision.
3. Move your head.
Your head is a target. It should be moving side to side by default. Don’t wait for something to happen before moving your head because by the time you realize it will have already happened.
4. Jab and move.
Do not give yourself permission to throw any other punch until you can consistently land a jab. Why? Because the jabbing hand is closer to your opponent and hence safer to use. Keep moving, feinting, and feeling out your opponent until you can land a jab at least three times.
5. Breath.
Exhale when you punch, and inhale when you are safely at a distance. It will improve your stamina, and may prevent you from getting the wind knocked out of you.
6. No more than two- or three-punch combinations.
Every time you punch you are exposing yourself. Hence, the more punches you throw, the more likely you’re going to get hit. Don’t try to be Manny Pacquiao. Keep it short and sweet.
7. Head/body dynamic.
Jab high to raise your opponent’s guard, then quickly jab low to the body and step back. Or, jab low to drop your opponent’s guard, and quickly jab high to the head and step back. This high/low dynamic will ensure that you stay one step ahead of your opponent.
8. Keep your hands up.
Whether you hit or miss, something is coming back. Don’t be lazy. Throw the punches and keep your hands high
9. Have an exist strategy.
Don’t approach your opponent only to stand there. Once you are close, either punch, clinch or get out. Decide beforehand how you want to exit.
10. Respect your sparring partner.
Without a sparring partner there is no sparring. Remember to touch gloves before and after each round. If your sparring partner scores a good shot, you can say ‘Good shot!’ Whatever happens, be humble in victory and defeat, learn from your mistakes, and keep improving for next time.
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