So I have found my problem when I spar is doing combo moves. I will throw jabs out there and some land while others don't. The problem is that even when my jab lands, my opponent has already moved out of range. If I try to stretch out a straight right or any kind of hook after a jab I feel off balance, leaving me open for counters. How do I get into range to throw combos? or do I just throw them even if I am a bit out of range? This is something that has hurt me in sparring because I am not able to practice combo moves because of my range. Thanks for the help.
Try feinting a little more, so he doesn't want to move so far outta the way. Also, I have found doubling up on the jab can do something about that.. You Jab, they move.. they start to move back.. you just stuff your fist in their face again. I'd also like to ask.. are you sparring against people who.. are overly experienced? Sometimes people refuse to engage when they are newer.. and it kinda makes it hard for the other guy to land anything.
I guess newish, most of the people have sparred a lot of times but have not actually fought. It is a free gym that is sort of a tight knit community so there are not many "new" people that come and keep coming back.
This ^ and practice your combos on the heavy bag with it moving around. iT will force you to use your feet more.
You need to practice throwing your punches on the move more Don't reach with your punches, step with them and keep your legs under you. Never have your head come past your front knee. Step in with your jab more and think of your front knee as a measuring stick. I got this analogy from Bernard Hopkins. The closer your knee is to your opponent, the closer your punches will reach. Try to practice this shadowboxing, on the mitts and then sparring
Get close and personal and you need to have them on the ropes at least 65 percent of the time to get a decent combo to pay off
Pretty sound advice from everyone so far. Only thing I'd add, is to use this as an opportunity to learn how to cut off the ring. Stepping in with your jab (as well as feinting with it and or doubling it up) is the first step. Then try and match your opponent's movement as he/she tries to step out of range. Keeping the opponent in front of them, and giving them less room to move will eventually provide you with more chances to throw and land more than one punch at a time.
