Guys that spar standup, come on in

[tn94z]

So my sparring still SUCKS!! My punches aren't getting there (I assume this has to be because I am not stepping in enough). I think I am losing some posture as I catch myself almost bent over when I have to cover up and they are throwing multiple strike combos. I seem to NEVER use the combos we work on in class and that comes mostly from them countering as soon as I throw the first strike. They immediately return strikes and it throws off my combo. I'm still pretty much a newb but I figured it would have gotten a little better by now.

Any suggestions?

[jipped genes]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

footwork. you are not making the adjustments during your combos.

i do it sometimes too still. throw a combo and stand in one spot until you are reaching and leaning. do pad work with the holder backing up. take your time offending between shots and don't rush them. move in just enough with each shot and when your done get out to your right if your sparring a righty.

when he turns to face you throw another combo.

[tn94z]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

Yeah, my footwork is probably my weakest area at the moment. We do hit pads in that manner, especially when we work elbows in muay thai. I do great when we do pad work. And I know the technique. But when we start sparring, it's like I completely forget the mechanics of the combos. I start "thinking" too much.

I just don't see the combos. What I mean is this, if I go in with the intent to throw a jab, cross, left upper cut or something....by the time I throw the jab and start to throw my cross, he is throwing a jab and it disrupts my entire combo. I guess maybe I am trying to plan it out instead of just taking what my opponent gives me? I'm sure it's just a "haven't gotten enough reps in to have it down" kind of thing, but it sure gets a little frustrating.

I don't mind taking shots...but I would at least like to be landing some in return. I have to spar with a pro boxer as well and he tears my ass up!!

[6p6]

For me it's always footwork. The heavier my legs are the slower they are! The flip side the more power I can generate in the hips the more power. It's like the last rocky film when they are training him for his fight...the just made him stronger so his punches had more affect. Not sure your age but at 36 in looking at knocking someone out a whole lot faster than when I was a young ninja lol!

[tn94z]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

I'm 35 so I know what you mean...haha!

I'll start really concentrating on improving my footwork and go from there. I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I have noticed that my footwork seems to be taking much longer to get back than anything else. I have also noticed that my jump rope technique is smoothing out as well, so maybe I am getting that rhythm back slowly which will help my footwork.

Thanks guys. I will try to update in here over the next few weeks as far as my sparring progress goes.

[Guest]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

So my sparring still SUCKS!! My punches aren't getting there (I assume this has to be because I am not stepping in enough). I think I am losing some posture as I catch myself almost bent over when I have to cover up and they are throwing multiple strike combos. I seem to NEVER use the combos we work on in class and that comes mostly from them countering as soon as I throw the first strike. They immediately return strikes and it throws off my combo. I'm still pretty much a newb but I figured it would have gotten a little better by now.

Any suggestions?

The main thing I see with guys learning is failing to commit and go through with their plan.As you stated,you have a plan for a combo but when you throw the first strike they start throwing back and you get thrown off your plan of attack..Thats whats supposed to happen.LOL.Dont let them get off.Once you decide to go for it,commit to it and go at em full force.Dont give em a chance to breath.Dont think about what he's going to do or doing,just stick with your plan and launch it and then move back out of his line of fire.Then keep repeating this way.

Your footwork is important for helping to get out of his shots and to even help you get in to your range but once you're there GO ALL OUT!!! Trust me,your opponent is having the same concerns and problems as you and if you start jamming your fist in his face,it will send him into a defensive mode.Both of you have the same fears and concerns and also the same goal.........TO KNOCK YOUR OPPONENT THE FUK OUT and the key is to do it to him before he does it to you.

Now I dont mean just blindly going in his range and throwing wildly without a care in the world and risk getting knocked out yourself.I mean have a plan of attack,stick to it get in close enough to launch it and follow through with this over and over again until you've got your hand raised!!!

Of course having your a well rounded game will be the best advantage you have.Striking is only part of the game brother and if you can work on that along with grappling,wrestling,take downs and defense as well as submissions than you'll be that much better.You dont have to be a master of them all right off the bat but learning them all and fine tuning them as you go along will make you a fighter that gets the win more times than not brother.But again,this still comes down to the commitment to learn it,and follow through with what you've learned which will come in time brother.

[tn94z]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

The main thing I see with guys learning is failing to commit and go through with their plan.As you stated,you have a plan for a combo but when you throw the first strike they start throwing back and you get thrown off your plan of attack..Thats whats supposed to happen.LOL.Dont let them get off.Once you decide to go for it,commit to it and go at em full force.Dont give em a chance to breath.Dont think about what he's going to do or doing,just stick with your plan and launch it and then move back out of his line of fire.Then keep repeating this way.

Your footwork is important for helping to get out of his shots and to even help you get in to your range but once you're there GO ALL OUT!!! Trust me,your opponent is having the same concerns and problems as you and if you start jamming your fist in his face,it will send him into a defensive mode.Both of you have the same fears and concerns and also the same goal.........TO KNOCK YOUR OPPONENT THE FUK OUT and the key is to do it to him before he does it to you.

Now I dont mean just blindly going in his range and throwing wildly without a care in the world and risk getting knocked out yourself.I mean have a plan of attack,stick to it get in close enough to launch it and follow through with this over and over again until you've got your hand raised!!!

Of course having your a well rounded game will be the best advantage you have.Striking is only part of the game brother and if you can work on that along with grappling,wrestling,take downs and defense as well as submissions than you'll be that much better.You dont have to be a master of them all right off the bat but learning them all and fine tuning them as you go along will make you a fighter that gets the win more times than not brother.But again,this still comes down to the commitment to learn it,and follow through with what you've learned which will come in time brother.

Yeah, that's it. I just don't stick to it once they disrupt me. Nice advice.

I do train in other arts. I currently do Muay Thai, Boxing, and BJJ and next month we are starting Krav Maga which is mainly just street self defense type stuff. I'm not looking to become a "fighter" but I just want to get to a position where if I am attacked or my family is attacked, the guy will quickly find out that he made a huge mistake. That and I just love martial arts and learning period. I get the knowledge, the self defense aspect, and the exercise. I would much rather spend and hour boxing than an hour on the treadmill...haha

[Guest]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

Yeah, that's it. I just don't stick to it once they disrupt me. Nice advice.

I do train in other arts. I currently do Muay Thai, Boxing, and BJJ and next month we are starting Krav Maga which is mainly just street self defense type stuff. I'm not looking to become a "fighter" but I just want to get to a position where if I am attacked or my family is attacked, the guy will quickly find out that he made a huge mistake. That and I just love martial arts and learning period. I get the knowledge, the self defense aspect, and the exercise. I would much rather spend and hour boxing than an hour on the treadmill...haha

Dont worry brother.It will come.Remember just focus on your game plan and stick with it.Strike him before you strike him and keep striking him until he succumbs to your will.

Im glad to hear your also working on becoming a well rounded fighter and learning different arts.Even though you dont plan on becoming a fighter its a great sport to take up and stick with.For all the benefits that come along with it.The being able to kick ass is just the icing on the cake.LOL.Just so you know,I know and have trained and do train many guys that went into it with the same thoughts as you that ended up making it their careers so you can never say never my friend.It tends to become a LIFESTYLE and not just a hobby to more people than not.

[apbt549]

Re: Guys that spar standup, come on in

like others have said stick to your plan when ever I engage someone I have a plan when I go in what I am going to do and where I am going after I throw my combos.. like fist said do it and follow thru with it.. and make sure you change it up don't do the same thing every time from throwing the same combos to moveing out the same way.. also if your foot work is weak spend more time doing that then do it some more.. it will come.. if I spar with someone real aggressive and comes straight forward at me I will foot jab him in the gut or chest when he comes in that will take that straight forward aggression out of him and then open up more stuff..

good luck.. let us know how things turn out..i loved sparring its like a chess match...