Sparring and finding range

AliShuffle · 01-08-2013, 08:03 AM

Sparred for the first time and got hit with a lot of shots, mainly because of my footwork I think, I couldn't get out of range and didn't know what to do when they come steaming at you throwing hundreds of punches. Was also finding it difficult to actually land, most punches I threw were too short even though I have a long reach!

I didn't get completely destroyed, had a few compliments but it was still 100 times harder than expected.

Any tips on defence/range etc would be appreciated.

StillWill · 01-08-2013, 09:28 AM

Welcome to boxing. The only real answer is to keep getting in there and it will come with time

PS the jab will help your range immensely. Once you have established the range on your jab everything else will come. As a tall fighter work on that

NVSemin · 01-08-2013, 09:52 AM

Welcome!

Well, side-steps, make angles, duck right after your own attack, and constant body movements like pendulum ala mike tyson would save you from many shots

Speechless · 01-08-2013, 12:33 PM

Honestly, I don't think all the advice in the world on the best boxing forum would hypothetically help you any more than just practice, practice, practice.

Sparring is not a natural feeling for most people. You need to establish a comfort level and get used to the movement and spacing before cleaning up your technique. This can only happen in time with practice.

Inability to land solid punches is something many of us go through. It happens due to: rushing too fast to punch resulting in bad form, not committing to the punch, bad judgement of distance, too much tension, improper breathing or any combination of those.

So many factors, and perhaps too early to focus on technique.
For now, keep it simple.

My advice for starters:
- Remember to breathe (i know, sounds stupid but many newbies struggle to maintain consistent well paced breathing).
- Try to stay loose and relaxed
- Have confidence in your defence (try not to back up too much, look away, close your eyes) trust your eyes to see punches coming, and trust your arms to block punches.

Good luck, i look forward to hearing about your progress.

det · 01-08-2013, 04:07 PM

Had the same issues myself, what speechless says is bang on.

AliShuffle · 01-08-2013, 04:34 PM

Thanks lads, will take it all into account and just keep trying! Definitly need to work on my footwork and keep the jab going, head movement as well.

It's frustrating, everyone has commented saying how fast my hands are, but I just couldn't land!

RRLN · 01-08-2013, 05:47 PM

what i done when i first started out (and i still do but not as much) was shadowbox, shadowbox, shadowbox. you can work on breathing, footwork, technique, head movement while doing this.

I too had the same problem, i would be throwing punches and they would be stopping 6 inches short of the other guy, he could of stood there and not get hit! I found out it was down to footwork & technique - stepping with jab, rotating hips into shots etc.

if a guy is coming in steaming hundreds of punches at you, then, chances are hes coming at you in a straight line, try not to back away as someone mentioned, maybe take 2 steps back and one to the side, this will maybe create angles for you.

all the best

twinwonw · 01-08-2013, 07:04 PM

Good job on having your first sparring. When I first sparred I had hard time landing shots and got hit a lot, only way to improve is keep training and do more sparring and eventually you will land some good shots.

Also using your jab lets you know your range, practice keeping range on heavy bag with the jab then you will know your range pretty well.

JDK · 01-09-2013, 12:49 AM

You'll have time to learn defense, proper range or whatever else you're looking for once you are relaxed and feel comfortable in the ring. Just like Speechless said.
You need to get over the fear of looking bad inside the ring and being intimidated by the idea of getting punched in the face.
You won't be able to let go of your hands if your head is not in the right place.

01-08-2013, 08:03 AM	#1
AliShuffle Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 811 vCash: 575	Sparring and finding range Sparred for the first time and got hit with a lot of shots, mainly because of my footwork I think, I couldn't get out of range and didn't know what to do when they come steaming at you throwing hundreds of punches. Was also finding it difficult to actually land, most punches I threw were too short even though I have a long reach! I didn't get completely destroyed, had a few compliments but it was still 100 times harder than expected. Any tips on defence/range etc would be appreciated.
Top

01-08-2013, 09:28 AM	#2
StillWill Dr. Eisenfaust ESB Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,903 vCash: 174	Re: Sparring and finding range Welcome to boxing. The only real answer is to keep getting in there and it will come with time PS the jab will help your range immensely. Once you have established the range on your jab everything else will come. As a tall fighter work on that
Top

01-08-2013, 09:52 AM	#3
NVSemin Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 177 vCash: 500	Re: Sparring and finding range Welcome! Well, side-steps, make angles, duck right after your own attack, and constant body movements like pendulum ala mike tyson would save you from many shots
Top

01-08-2013, 12:33 PM	#4
Speechless Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 555 vCash: 500	Re: Sparring and finding range Honestly, I don't think all the advice in the world on the best boxing forum would hypothetically help you any more than just practice, practice, practice. Sparring is not a natural feeling for most people. You need to establish a comfort level and get used to the movement and spacing before cleaning up your technique. This can only happen in time with practice. Inability to land solid punches is something many of us go through. It happens due to: rushing too fast to punch resulting in bad form, not committing to the punch, bad judgement of distance, too much tension, improper breathing or any combination of those. So many factors, and perhaps too early to focus on technique. For now, keep it simple. My advice for starters: - Remember to breathe (i know, sounds stupid but many newbies struggle to maintain consistent well paced breathing). - Try to stay loose and relaxed - Have confidence in your defence (try not to back up too much, look away, close your eyes) trust your eyes to see punches coming, and trust your arms to block punches. Good luck, i look forward to hearing about your progress.
Top

01-08-2013, 04:07 PM	#5
det Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 239 vCash: 1000	Re: Sparring and finding range Had the same issues myself, what speechless says is bang on.
Top

01-08-2013, 04:34 PM	#6
AliShuffle Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 811 vCash: 575	Re: Sparring and finding range Thanks lads, will take it all into account and just keep trying! Definitly need to work on my footwork and keep the jab going, head movement as well. It's frustrating, everyone has commented saying how fast my hands are, but I just couldn't land!
Top

01-08-2013, 05:47 PM	#7
RRLN newbie Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gloucestershire, England Posts: 34 vCash: 500	Re: Sparring and finding range what i done when i first started out (and i still do but not as much) was shadowbox, shadowbox, shadowbox. you can work on breathing, footwork, technique, head movement while doing this. I too had the same problem, i would be throwing punches and they would be stopping 6 inches short of the other guy, he could of stood there and not get hit! I found out it was down to footwork & technique - stepping with jab, rotating hips into shots etc. if a guy is coming in steaming hundreds of punches at you, then, chances are hes coming at you in a straight line, try not to back away as someone mentioned, maybe take 2 steps back and one to the side, this will maybe create angles for you. all the best
Top

01-08-2013, 07:04 PM	#8
twinwonw Journeyman Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 61 vCash: 600	Re: Sparring and finding range Good job on having your first sparring. When I first sparred I had hard time landing shots and got hit a lot, only way to improve is keep training and do more sparring and eventually you will land some good shots. Also using your jab lets you know your range, practice keeping range on heavy bag with the jab then you will know your range pretty well.
Top

01-09-2013, 12:49 AM	#9
JDK Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,126 vCash: 675	Re: Sparring and finding range You'll have time to learn defense, proper range or whatever else you're looking for once you are relaxed and feel comfortable in the ring. Just like Speechless said. You need to get over the fear of looking bad inside the ring and being intimidated by the idea of getting punched in the face. You won't be able to let go of your hands if your head is not in the right place.
Top