what to expect when sparring for the first time?

If you have a good trainer he will now what to do. Personally i would let you in with someone seasoned for few times just for him to take it easy and for you to mellow down when the nerves catch up with you.
Your focus should be on the basics, jabbing, right hand, defense, keeping your hands up and moving. It should be nice technical sparring.
Thats my 2cents on the matter.

 

Sparring has different intensities.

If its gonna be your first time, I wouldn't worry about any rib *******s. Though I'll admit, the first time I sparred was against an amateur getting ready to compete in a tournament, I was able to box well with him for the first round but after that his cardio was much better than mine and it became very hard to defend myself cause I couldn't slip or weave anymore.

So what to expect? Don't expect to win. Just go in and practice what you've been learning the entire time. Feel what its like to get hit while your trying to find angles and positions to attack from. I focus on my defense the most in sparring since its the most opportune time for me to practice it.

 

Would stick to the basics. Solid defence and push the jab out. If there are openings take them, but otherwise sit in behind a solid defence and enjoy the experience. If you have a good trainer he should ease you into it and ensure nobody gets hurt first up.

 

Honestly, you're probably making it tougher on yourself by asking people what you should be doing/expecting. On top of that, asking what punches or defensive moves you need to do up front, is impossible for anyone to answer.

If anything, maybe I can suggest trying to stay relaxed. Don't be too tense, avoid getting over-excited/anxious and letting your adrenaline kick in. Newbies sometimes have the tendency to over-do it and go too hard, which not only gets you tired unbelievably fast, but when you try to take someone's head off - they tend to return the favour. Keep it light. If your sparring partner knows what they're doing, they shouldn't try to hurt you too bad.

 

Good summary to which I'd add only one thing:

Don't forget to breathe. So many inexperienced guys tense up and forget to breathe.

 

You're over thinking everything. Most likely as soon as your opponent starts throwing punches at you you'll forget all of your training anyway.

Just stay calm and take your time learning. Nobody expects anything of you from your first time sparring.

 

Not much to be said really, just go give your best effort and remember that you have nowhere to go but up.

 

I was exactly the same situation a few months ago, had first sparring around Oct last yr after training for 8 months....have done a few rounds since and hopefully improving along the way, couple of things i've learned from the few rounds ive done...
- Dont go in and try and be a hero brawler throwing haymakers everywhere and try to take the other guys head off, major dick newbie move
- Dont be too passive either this is what i did not wanting to be the above. I stupidly thought i would mainly defend and counter, silly idea it didnt work and i just ate repeated combos of punches after punches for the first minute and learned quickly you have to punch back otherwise u r a sitting duck
- Relax dont be all tensed up punching or in defense and keep a breathing rhythm, dont hold your breath
- Doesnt matter how fit you are you'll get tired by midway through 2nd or 3rd round, this is when you have to dig deep and keep going, dont give up!
- Focus on fundamentals, jab is your best friend defense and attack. Dont jab stationary and just stand there, youll just get countered move laterally and double jab
- Use range - get out of range & maintain a tight defence if you need a break
- Dont drop your defending glove when throwing punches, this leaves you open - big problem of mine - ie when i jab unconsciously , ill drop my right
- Dont jump around the ring, constantly circle when unnecessary youll just waste energy with uneccessary movements and gas out even faster
- Id concentrate more on blocking or parrying rather than slipping, i still havent got the hang of slipping but can block / parry punches which is quite satisfying
- Youll definintely get punched, firstly jabbed and especially when the other guy moves in on you or you try to go on inside. You'll get used to taking em, I found being punched whilst disconcerting, wasnt as bad as I'd imagined
- Don't worry about it too much if you dont land many punches, first time I probably landed cleanly zero. Still the majority of mine get blocked but form the basis of subsequent ones that (occasionally) land
- Think about whats working and what is not working throughout and modify what you are doing using this knowledge
- Thank your sparring partner for the session afterwards, I always do this as I value & appreciate the opportunity to spar with someone more experienced who hasnt gone all out to take my head off / K.O me
- You may have a bit of a sore head / slight headache / buzzy feeling afterwards first few times
- Lastly enjoy it, its kinda exciting first time and the best way to learn and combine everything you have been practicing to date. I found sparring adds an extra dimension and perspective to all of your training
- Oh yeah I think the bloody nose thing looks much worse than it is. Dont worry about that, ive had to stop twice due to bloody nose. Once after copping a solid right and other time solid left hook, to be honest even though I definitely felt the punches, I continued on and didnt realise the whole bloody nose thing until my sparring mate stopped and told me my nose was bleeding
- Good luck, have fun, and learn a bunch!

 

I'm sure you will find it doesn't seem as brutal when you are in the ring.

At this stage it's just a case of experiencing what boxing is all about.

Enjoy it.

 

Like our coach used to tell us, "Bring your n*ts." Meaning that a lot depends on your reaction to the first hits. Are they gonna swell up and are you gonna try and hide like a turtle, are are they gonna drop and are you gonna fight back. Will make a huge difference

 

It doesn't matter how good you are you will get hit, and if you can't take a punch you won't last long.

 

It's 1000000 times harder than it looks.