i have been training muay thai for about 6 months but chose not to spar for awhile to give myself some time on the bags etc.. well i jumped in there and froze up on punching and kicking also my lead leg is sore as hell from not checking a lot of kicks but i learned a hell of a lot...i wish i would have done it sooner because i see a lot of errors in my ways!my coach says fighting will make you find out who you really are inside and tonight i have 2 choices...be a pussy and whine and complain about how bad i sucked or get right back on the horse and keep learning..it was a good experience but i cant believe how emotional i got about it, it was weird.
Sparring Is training fighting, in controlled manner. Fighting is primal 
I remember the first time I sparred when I was 16 and just joined a boxing club. The other kid was 17 and had been training a little longer then me. The sparring session turned into a street fight and the coach had to break us up because we were trying to seriously injure each other.
Try using the same size or heavier gloves when you train for example if you hit the bag and the mitts with 12 oz gloves and spar with 16 oz gloves, you should start hitting the bag and mitts with the 16's so when you spar you are use to throwing punches with that weight on your hand. Stay on your toes check kicks, and keep your hands up, when you get tired dont throw as many kicks, or use the front kick to keep distance.
Ayatolla of Rock and Rolla - I remember the first time I sparred when I was 16 and just joined a boxing club. The other kid was 17 and had been training a little longer then me. The sparring session turned into a street fight and the coach had to break us up because we were trying to seriously injure each other.
I remember this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_%22Cutty%22_Wise
-jk
SpRArring is better than the bag
muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh better, the bag does not hit back, theres nothing that you could prepare you for a fight more than sparring and its even better if there are lots of people watching when you spar cause it gives you experience performing in front of crowds, the same as team sports the only thing that can prepare you for a game is a live scrimmage.
The first time someone spars they should NOT get their ass beat. What does that prove that you have "heart"?
Sparing is a tool that should be used to build and enhance skills. This is done (especially with rookies) in a gradual manor...not full bore right away. Having two beginners slugging it out with shitty technique only promotes bad habits in the ring and greatly increases risk of injury.
The moral of the story is to focus on GOOD TECHNIQUE in sparring. Also, you need training partners who have the same plan. Once a solid foundation is built you can step up your tempo and test yourself against better skilled guys.
Everyone takes their lumps in the gym at one time or another, but UNNECESSARY ones are just stupid.
Thanks for the advice,the guy i was sparring against seemed like he had control.I need to learn to throw at 60 % and find a rythmn.
On the gloves deal i always hit the bag with 12's and tonight the 16's did seem awkward.
It was a spur of the moment deal tonight,wasnt planning on sparring. Its weird when i plan on something im mentally ready and in the mindset but tonight i was kind of eurphoric and not in my own head...sure ill spar...type of deal but im glad i got it over with. I just want to jump back n there and learn some more
4pdboxing - The first time someone spars they should NOT get their ass beat. What does that prove that you have "heart"?
Sparing is a tool that should be used to build and enhance skills. This is done (especially with rookies) in a gradual manor...not full bore right away. Having two beginners slugging it out with shitty technique only promotes bad habits in the ring and greatly increases risk of injury.
The moral of the story is to focus on GOOD TECHNIQUE in sparring. Also, you need training partners who have the same plan. Once a solid foundation is built you can step up your tempo and test yourself against better skilled guys.
Everyone takes their lumps in the gym at one time or another, but UNNECESSARY ones are just stupid.
This 100%
Look for partners who approach sparring with this sort of mentality...
I was keen to hop into sparring (it's been almost 10 months), to condition myself to getting belted... It's a great way to reinforce good technique.. I need to keep my hands up! So I'm learning that, the hard way
The guys at my joint always know how to adjust for me, but fuck me dead if fighting isn't the ultimate cardio... The hardest cardio class Doesn't match half hour of sparring IMO
Sparring is good. Getting kicked in the face... Not so much.
Good footwork and head movement did wonders for me.
Sparring is the best way to find out what your doing wrong as long as you have someone to correct you.
4pdboxing - The first time someone spars they should NOT get their ass beat. What does that prove that you have "heart"?
Sparing is a tool that should be used to build and enhance skills. This is done (especially with rookies) in a gradual manor...not full bore right away. Having two beginners slugging it out with shitty technique only promotes bad habits in the ring and greatly increases risk of injury.
The moral of the story is to focus on GOOD TECHNIQUE in sparring. Also, you need training partners who have the same plan. Once a solid foundation is built you can step up your tempo and test yourself against better skilled guys.
Everyone takes their lumps in the gym at one time or another, but UNNECESSARY ones are just stupid.
100% Correct. Get some privates with someone good, and spar with them. If they are not a complete fucking moron they will go easy on you, and correct your faults in real time. Sparring should be about working technique and trying out new combos, movement, slips etc, in a controlled environment where someone is not trying to take your head off. Sure there comes a point where you want to step up the tempo and spar harder, but this IS NOT when you have just started.
6 months damn son. Muay is pretty hardcore tho
6 months is that a bad thing watchingmma??
What i mean by 2 choices is the reality of fighting hits home after your first sparring session,for me anyway. Its got to be in your heart if you want to compete in fighting...thats all im saying and it makes ya think "do i want this"
Maybe a lot of people really don't understand what they are training for. I don't want to be one of those delusional doods with cool shorts who thinks hes a fighter and runs away after the first sparring session or will have some excuse as to why he cant come back after that.
The guy was giving me pointers while bruising my leg but what better way to learn to block it eh?
brians yeah that video was nice,the guy i sparred was kicking and hitting a touch harder than that.
6 months is a long time to go before sparring. I started after the first month and have only just found myself in a place where im comfortable letting my hands go and taking some sort of risk, instead of jabbing and running around.
The exhibition fight helped me with that too... Good times. Good luck in your training