I had my first sparring session this past weekend and was in with two guys. One was another first time newbie, and I got the better of him. The other guy was a coach who beat my ass for two rounds. :roll: Being much slower than both guys, I took some shots. My coach asked me to pull my punches because I hit so hard, so I felt hamstrung that I couldn't use my best weapon. Not knowing much defense and being in for the first time, I kept turning my head when they would flurry on me...which just caused me to get hit more and for me to throw something big to back them off. I wasn't supposed to throw anything big, so I got chewed out a little each time...especially when I wobbled the other new guy. Round 1 I was just trying to stay alive. Round 2 I was trying to hit more than I got hit. By round 3 I was settling down and thinking more. Just wondering if that reflex to turn your head goes away as you get more comfortable, or if there is anything I can do to control it?
I know for me, it was just a matter of learning how to stay collected while you are basically being punched in the face! Not exactly "instinctual." But you'll probably learn how to as time goes in. It was your FIRST sparring session. There are many more to come
Exactly! I kept wanting to push him back and go after him. I kept having to hold back. Also, getting popped over and over by someone much quicker sucks! At least they were not big enough to land bombs, but I still ate a bunch of jabs and right hands!
Youve got lot learn to carry on facing and cover up, no turning away bs. Hands against the face, elbows in, then move. It might not be the instintual thing but you have to learn to, if your in the corner etc, give your opponent a push then get out of there.
Getting hit....the main thing about getting hit is avoiding getting hit my moving your head and keeping hands up. When you get hit don't let it get you off your gameplan, shake it off, move forward and don't worry because getting hit is part of boxing.
Yup. It's just a reflex action. In normal life, if something is coming hard at your face, you turn away to protect yourself. Thats no good in boxing, so as you get more experience you will learn to protect yourself by keeping your hands up, move your head etc.
Stay collected, hands up, elbows in, move your head, throw counters. Push off and move when trapped. When you get hit, shake it off, don't get discouraged. Got it! Now, any advice what to do when a quicker fighter is flurrying on you? My current answer is to tuck the chin, close my eyes, throw a monster hook+stright right hand combo and move when they cover up. I'm sure there is a better answer! lol
your coach must be inexperienced or a ***** if he asked you to hold your punches back, an experienced guy should have no problem with a newbie no matter how hard he hits.
He wasn't my coach, he was a visiting coach from a local university who was visiting our gym for that day. He's 50 and I have 100lbs on him, and I hit pretty hard...so my coach asked me to pull my punches.
one of my coach is 48, when i sparred him he easily had his way with me, granted i might not hit as hard as you, he picked my shots off and placed precise shots on my body and head without much effort, he isn't even fit, he used his experience to do it.
I have not had a chance to spar since the summer, and have gotten a little out of shape. I noticed my punches are not as crisp and my stamina is less. So, I'm back at it in my home gym, three days a week, road work on the other days. I want to get back in the boxing gym in the next month or so, and I want to look decent when I get there. Also, I want to get over this fear of being hit and the instinct to turn away. Since I don't have a sparring partner at home, I've recruited my daughter to bash me around in 16oz gloves while I put on headgear/mouth piece/gloves. She's short, so I'm kneeling and doing my best not to get hit while she goes crazy on me. Its pretty comical, and she loves it. I figure eventually I'll get past the "turning away" instinct and it tests my guard. Is that completely ridiculous?
Well I feel it'll just come in time, build up your neck for the absorbtion of punches but to be honest, time is what it takes. I have to pull my punches alot on every guy I sparr my age who have been going 9 months or less even when they are a decent bit bigger. Takling beatings (not TOO brutal) at the early stage does no harm, it happens to everyone, you will feel comfortable in time.
Happend the first time I sparred, I was a bit of a spazzer. Second / third time I was still sort of doing and it turning my body way but it was a habit that soon eroded. It isnt long before you pick up that you get hit more that way and learn how to defend yourself a little better. Guess not, but bare in mind it neglects one of the most important aspects of defence, your feet.
