Boxing Workouts with a Partner Well, congratulations, you made it through all of the partner drills. Now you are capable of sparring, so go get a coach.
No joke, sparring should not be undertaken without qualified supervision. It is combat, tempers flare, and things can get out of hand pretty quickly even among friends. That said, I'll give you the p's and q's of sparring anyways.
There are two types of sparring: all out sparring and situational sparring. Situational sparring is used to familiarize the boxer with the various styles of boxing. Remember working the 5 phases on the heavy bag, now it is time to put them to use. Like all drills, start slowly and build up speed gradually. Start with offense vs defense and then work in inside fighting and outside fighting. Spending time in each situation will help you develop your own unique style. Do not stick to one style. The more weapons you have in your arsenal, the better your army. Besides, there is bound to be a boxer out there who is better than you in one style and if that one style is the only one you know, you will probably be kissing the mat by the end of the fight.
Biggest thing to remember is to relax. Relax between bursts of energy in order to conserve energy for the bursts of energy. Hope that made sense. Again, stick to 3 minute rounds, 1 minute rest. Start out at 1/4 speed, then 1/2, 3/4 and full and mix it up, style vs style. Do not keep things the same all the time or you will hinder your development.
All out sparring is fighting. It is hard and fast. Up to now there has been an element of control in what was going to happen. Now your education as a boxer goes into hyperdrive. Now you have another intelligent human being to deal with. If you're not ready for this, don't do it, wait until you are. Make sure you wear all the protective gear I described earlier on this site. You should have a coach by now and he will try and keep things under control, but remember you are there to learn still, so don't go in swinging wildly and forgetting everything you've spent months training on. Keep your composure.
You will get hit. Instead of turning into a raging lunatic, remain calm and calculative. Use what you've learned to strike back, do not spar out of anger. Last, have fun and relax. You're finally getting to use what you've been working so hard to perfect over the last few months. If you get the chance, videotape yourself and go over it with your coach to see where you can improve.
Your development from here on in will be a function of your desire to perfect what you've already learned. Any chance you get, review sparring sessions and see where you are making mistakes, then work like hell to correct the bad habits. This is where a good coach comes in. Any coach worth the good money you pay them will polish you off and get you ready for your first big bout. Good luck, and feel free to share your successes and failures here.
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Re: Boxing Sparring
boxing sparring
Re: Boxing Sparring
Re: Boxing Sparring
Kalvin: Sparring up in weight is not uncommon. However, if these guys have you on a hundred pounds, that's no good. (in my opinion) I've sparred with guys thirty or forty pounds heavier than me, and that was bad enough, but those are BIG heavyweights that you're getting thrown in with. And especially if you're just starting out, I would have to question your coach as to what he's trying to accomplish. Is there a lack of middle-weights in your gym? Is it just because there's no one of a comparable weight? It is nice to know you can take a good shot, though, isn't it? And you have to admit that it's nice bragging rights, to say that you spar with guys twice your size. Maybe thats just me...
As far as advice goes, I'd just have to agree with McKinzie: Don't be afraid. Do your best to lay one of em out. Make them as nervous of getting in the ring with you, as you are of getting in the ring with them. You know what I mean? McKinzie was also right when he said that it gets better. It does. Especially in the beginning you're just a heavy-bag with arms, essentially. Ha! So don't get down on yourself. It'll work out.
Funny story: I sparred with a heavyweight a couple of times. He was older, but a body builder up around 250 pounds. It was silly. (NOTE: I'm a lightweight) I couldn't clinch, cause he'd just bowl me over. It didn't matter how hard I hit him (except in the body, he felt those), and I couldn't block anything he threw, cause even through helmet and gloves, every shot was enough to crush me. Ha! It was stupid, and it didn't last long. Just have to rely on quickness and hand-speed to stand a chance. But seriously, I'd listen to your coach unless what you're doing seems dangerous to you. I'm sure he has something of a plan.
One way or the other: Good luck, man! And remember, next time you get in the ring with em, give em something to be scared of! Ha! Cheers!
over weight match up
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