So i sparred for the first time today.... Trust me i need help

You just have to practice and force yourself not to turn. Coverup but don't turn. Also, body shots are a bitch unless you put in time doing ab work.

I wouldn't worry too much. Almost everyone gets their ass kicked in their first sparring session. Focus on your stance and perfect your guard. Practice your blocks for every punch your opponent could throw. Practice your reaction time as well by having somebody throw tennis balls at you and you have to catch all of them and throw them back as fast as you can. Hope it helps. Harrison

also make your foot work great too it will help a lot and try to read what is coming next to block or counter attack

just dont be scared to get hit. that's all there is to it

Hey, jakefreak!

I agree with everything everyone above had to say. Stay relaxed. Accept the fact that you are going to get hit. And work on your fundamentals (stance, guard, footwork).

 As far as blocking the body: The one thing you don't want to do is lower your guard. When somebody throws to the body, stay in your guard, and just bend at the knees. This way you are absorbing the blow with your arms, while not compromising your guard. You will also still be in good position to punch if you do it this way.

 Hope that helps!

I agree with everyone else, there is one move that you can do when you bend at the knees and that is when you see a punch going for your stomach (ABS) when you are in your guard position, tuck your arms and elbows in front of you and at the same time keeping your guard up with your gloves beside your head. It will take time to get use to this but it works.

Hi, I just wanted to make sure you were sparring in controlled environment and not just fighting your friend. Did you have headgear and mouthguards? Were you going full swing/full power with your punches? I thinks that is not a good idea for your first time sparring. My first sparring session was with an instructor that had a 60-3 record as an amateur and was in the Puerto Rican National Team. He was around 50 pounds lighter than me but he hit me very hard with punches I didn't see. But beign a professional he was able you give me pointers on what I was doing wrong. Get yourself a partner that can do that and take it easy the first times. Good luck, E.