Sparring without glasses?

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by OD2000, Mar 28, 2015.



  1. OD2000

    OD2000 New Member Full Member

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    Mar 20, 2015
    Hey I've been boxing for about 6 months now and only sparred about once and it didn't go so well but I'm going to be sparring again soon but I think I am at a big disadvantage as I have really bad vision is there any tips you could recommend? :boxing2
     
  2. jasper2005

    jasper2005 Active Member Full Member

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  3. Speechless

    Speechless Well-Known Member Full Member

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    My vision sucks too. Contacts aren't really a perfect option because they get knocked out, and stepped on quite often. And they ain't cheap.
    I just take them off and deal with the blurry vision.
    As long as I can see the person in front of me, it's fine. I used to remind my coach that once the contacts are off, he pretty much has to lead me to the ring and remember that I can't see much past 5 ft in front of me.

    Now I wear contacts when I compete.

    When I switch to a new pair of contacts, I save the old ones, so that when I compete, I can wear an older pair that I won't miss should I lose one.
    I just have to make sure I carry an extra pair (or my glasses) when competing.

    For sparring, if you can see the person directly in front of you - you should be OK, even w/out contacts.
    Otherwise, your only options are - spend a lot of money on replacement contacts, or take up another sport.

    I know a huge hurdle for most newbies is not looking in the right place (i.e. bowing head down) or closing their eyes. Just make sure that's not the problem, as blaming it on poor vision may just be mis-directed.

    Learning where/how to direct your vision is a very overlooked factor when beginners are learning defense. As it takes practice.
     
  4. Speechless

    Speechless Well-Known Member Full Member

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    ....Oh yeah, and I forgot....you've only trained 6 months and sparred once.
    Did you really think things were going to be awesome the first time? I have news for you....the next several sessions are gonna suck too. Don't blame that on the vision. Nobody starts out awesome. Everybody goes through it. What separates good athletes from everyone else, is simply what/how they learn from these humble ass-kickings.
     
  5. OD2000

    OD2000 New Member Full Member

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    Mar 20, 2015
    Thanks for the replies :D
     
  6. bballchump11

    bballchump11 2011 Poster of the Year Full Member

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    I don't think that's what he's implying.
     
  7. JagOfTroy

    JagOfTroy Jag Full Member

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    My buddy I train with wears glasses in normal daily life but doesn't train with them or wear prescriptions. He says things are kinda blurry but he recently won his first tournament and getting ready to drive him to the local GG tournament tomorrow so that shows you what one person can do in that situation.

    Too much danger with wearing contacts from what I've seen by people getting them knocked out or shoved up into their eye.
     
  8. TinFoilHat

    TinFoilHat Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I sparred with a few guys from the gym who had to wear contacts. Terrible vision... The contacts would pop out a lot from a stiff jab, kinda tough to do IMO. I think if you can see OK without them, its fine. You don't need to be able to have crystal clear HD vision to box someone... Hell if you are on the inside you can dodge punches w/ ur eyes closed if you know what you are doing.
     
  9. Speechless

    Speechless Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I wouldn't say it's dangerous. Hard contacts haven' really existed since the 80s or 90s. Now they're just made of soft silicone. Still, losing them in the middle of sparring/competing sucks a lot.
     
  10. CG^

    CG^ Member Full Member

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    I have horrendous vision and I wear contacts for sparring (most of the time) but they frequently get knocked out or moved within the eye and this can become irritable...I used to stop the sparring momentarily and re-adjust them but only when sparring one of the lads I knew quite well (someone who would actually stop and knew about my sight) but it can become quite annoying for the sparring partner and they can end up being concious about your contacts. Like the guys said, you don't need perfect vision but if your vision is as bad as mine then you won't be able to see anything at all. I spar very little now and it's usually with the younger more inexperienced lads who won't cause me too much trouble and I'm just there to give them good work. I'm getting to be one of the older chaps so I just float about and train but I'm not going to be competing again so it's not an issue for me. If you're serious about taking up boxing and competing and your eyes are really that bad, perhaps laser eye surgery? I have spoke to a few people and as far as I know you can compete after having this treatment? Perhaps some clarification on this is needed though.
     
  11. Ferocious Frank

    Ferocious Frank Member Full Member

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    I put sparring off for ages because of the same issue apart from my eyesight is really bad and cant see jack when they're out(-8/9). Didnt want to spar with my lenses in, too paranoid. I have just bought myself a facesaver headguard which gets over that issue and seeing as I have no intention of competing that suits me just fine.
     
  12. Speechless

    Speechless Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Facesaver headgear is potentially a good option. It will significantly reduce the amount of times contacts get knocked out - although i`ve still had it happen on occasion. But much less frequently.

    But if you plan on competing, just know that you can`t wear facesaver style headgear in competition.
     
  13. xmy1229

    xmy1229 New Member Full Member

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    Apr 2, 2015
    "But if you plan on competing, just know that you can`t wear facesaver style headgear in competition. "
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