Sparring Disappointments

[DinoCop]

I have been training boxing for like two years now. I've been in some different gyms and ****** things happend, in the end i coulnd't spar much. Been working on shadow boxing, heavy bag, double end bag all this time and very often (also at home).
Now i'm glad i have started to spar very often. But i have problems that make me feel like i have learned nothing even though in my training everything looks ok according to the coach.
First i can't land the right hand because it feels unsecure.
Second i have trained to be more like a inside fighter. I'm trying to get in with a jab thrown with inside step-quick jump but i take punishment. Training to slip punches.
I often stay too outside, want to stay in a distance i can't block and land but but but but...
The guy i spar (on whom i fail)is a little longer than me and definitely heavier. Even though i don't face all that much problems with my weight class partners, i can't get inside of him to land shots.
Can hit hard but can't fight
Waiting for suggestions.

[b Murphington]

I feel your pain. Sparring's been real tough for me too. I haven't been able to get real comfortable in the ring yet, it's been taking a while. As a result, I've taken many beatings and its zapped my confidence to train. Just a couple of nights ago I had a fight and really did rather poorly. Got hit quite a few times and wasn't able to land anything of significance. The main part is relaxing and being comfortable with being uncomfortable. What a paradox.

[AddiX]

The hardest thing about boxing, especially for beginners when it comes to sparring.

Is that until you spar, especially sparring vs a better more experienced boxer...


This is the first time you find out, that everything you thought about boxing, is mostly wrong, NOTHING works the way you think it does.

This is where most people quit.

We've all been through this. I give the same advice to everyone. Think of sparring as a step by step process right now. Plan your strategy first. Remember your technique, trust your technique, remember to breath, and DON'T overreact to getting hit. If you think it's going to hurt, it will.

Build your foundation first. Move around, learn your distance, learn your opponents distance. Establish your jab. As a beginner your jab is going to set everything up, and it Also should be a defensive tool.

Keep things simple in the ring for now. As I said, nothing works the way you think it does. Everything is WAY harder to do than it looks on tv.

[AddiX]

I feel your pain. Sparring's been real tough for me too. I haven't been able to get real comfortable in the ring yet, it's been taking a while. As a result, I've taken many beatings and its zapped my confidence to train. Just a couple of nights ago I had a fight and really did rather poorly. Got hit quite a few times and wasn't able to land anything of significance. The main part is relaxing and being comfortable with being uncomfortable. What a paradox.

Sparring is for learning, it's not a fight, if your taking beatings in the gym, than you shouldn't be fighting already.

You also shouldn't be taking beatings, that's not your fault, that's your trainers fault.

I highly recommend looking for a new gym.

If your not a pro or a highly experienced amateur, you should NEVER be taking real beatings in a boxing gym. It's completely pointless, and can cause permanent damage.

[b Murphington]

Sparring is for learning, it's not a fight, if your taking beatings in the gym, than you shouldn't be fighting already.

You also shouldn't be taking beatings, that's not your fault, that's your trainers fault.

I highly recommend looking for a new gym.

If your not a pro or a highly experienced amateur, you should NEVER be taking real beatings in a boxing gym. It's completely pointless, and can cause permanent damage.

Our gyms real old school like that. He had an annual show to put on and he needed to fill out a card. The problem is that we don't have the number of fighters to put on a long enough show. We only have 1, maybe 2 fighters who look real good and have some significant experience. Everyone else, including me are really inexperienced. He called called up different gyms in the area to try to get some fighters of limited experience to come down. Everyone got our asses kicked, except for said 1 or 2 fighters. I'm talking 9, 10 yr old kids getting pounded ring post to ring post. One dad was pretty upset. Said his kid just started 3 weeks ago. Pretty sure numbers are gonna drop. Might only be me and 2 other guys left.

[AddiX]

Our gyms real old school like that. He had an annual show to put on and he needed to fill out a card. The problem is that we don't have the number of fighters to put on a long enough show. We only have 1, maybe 2 fighters who look real good and have some significant experience. Everyone else, including me are really inexperienced. He called called up different gyms in the area to try to get some fighters of limited experience to come down. Everyone got our asses kicked, except for said 1 or 2 fighters. I'm talking 9, 10 yr old kids getting pounded ring post to ring post. One dad was pretty upset. Said his kid just started 3 weeks ago. Pretty sure numbers are gonna drop. Might only be me and 2 other guys left.

Jesus Christ, quit that gym asap.

That guy shouldn't be allowed to train, You should report him to the state athletic commissioner.

[b Murphington]

Jesus Christ, quit that gym asap.

That guy shouldn't be allowed to train, You should report him to the state athletic commissioner.

But you know what it was too? I wasn't warming up enough. I came in very tight. I think everyone came it tight. Our muscles weren't lose enough. My dad said my opponent was hyping himself up before the fight. I was too lax. Cuz after the fight my corner asked me what happened the first round? I wasn't throwing enough punches. You know what my response was right then and there? I was still warming up.

[Rockin']

I have been training boxing for like two years now. I've been in some different gyms and ****** things happend, in the end i coulnd't spar much. Been working on shadow boxing, heavy bag, double end bag all this time and very often (also at home).
Now i'm glad i have started to spar very often. But i have problems that make me feel like i have learned nothing even though in my training everything looks ok according to the coach.
First i can't land the right hand because it feels unsecure.
Second i have trained to be more like a inside fighter. I'm trying to get in with a jab thrown with inside step-quick jump but i take punishment. Training to slip punches.
I often stay too outside, want to stay in a distance i can't block and land but but but but...
The guy i spar (on whom i fail)is a little longer than me and definitely heavier. Even though i don't face all that much problems with my weight class partners, i can't get inside of him to land shots.
Can hit hard but can't fight
Waiting for suggestions.

That's exactly what sparring is for........ learning to adapt. So adapt, it's as easy as that.......... Rockin'

[915]

But you know what it was too? I wasn't warming up enough. I came in very tight. I think everyone came it tight. Our muscles weren't lose enough. My dad said my opponent was hyping himself up before the fight. I was too lax. Cuz after the fight my corner asked me what happened the first round? I wasn't throwing enough punches. You know what my response was right then and there? I was still warming up.

Who cares about your prep at this point. That gym is bad news. You need to find another gym.

[Syf]

Some guys who are sparring have a chip on their shoulder and feel they have something to prove. They treat everything like a fight. We've all been there. And I'm more than willing to match their intensity, should it go there.

But the one thing I need to address is the right hand feeling "insecure". As someone else said you gotta trust your technique. Yes the right opens you up a bit more but that's why you set it up. Try doubling up the jab with the right hand as you step in on your taller opponent. That's how you close distance and get inside on him. Also if you up close on him try the 1,2,5 .. jab cross lead upper. Go to the body often with something like a 1.2.3 or a 2,3. Shoot you can even try a feint jab upstairs right to the body..left hook upstairs and a follow up right hand to the face. 2,3,2. Not counting the 1 feint. Very powerful combo.

Anyway go in with a game plan..execute it. Trust your technique. Set up that right! Leave the pot shots for someone else. Set up your shots!