10 Tips for Your First Ever Sparring Session

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[evanjames]

Tip: Don't be afraid to put your hands out, instead of worrying about what they throw and anticipating, make them worry about what you can do.

[jems]

I had my first sparring session yesterday and I definitely achieved the first goal of wanting to spar again, it was the most fun I've had in years, although I'm sure I didn't breathe that much and I definitely put my head down more than once under the heat! These were the things that were weird/unexpected for me:

1) It seems impossible to find openings. The opponent's tight guard combined with the large size of sparring gloves didn't seem to leave much of a target to go for.

2) Blocking punches was more tiring than throwing them. Maybe this is because I tensed up so much when getting hit, but covering up/blocking seemed to be draining the life out of me.

3) My hands and arms clashed a lot with my opponents as we both tried to throw punches at the same time. This made me feel like I was trying to throw punches underwater sometimes as they kept getting slowed down. It also threw my balance and timing off a lot.

4) This might seem obvious, but judging the distance of the opponent was different compared to a bag because they kept moving! Either I was straight missing, which was disconcerting, or they were blocking/moving in on me, which sort of crowded my punches so I couldn't get anywhere near full extension.

5) There seemed to be a big psychological component. I was getting subjected to a fair bit of heat and I felt like opponents were being more offensive because they knew they could get away with it as I couldn't give them much back. But then when I landed a few lucky counter shots (I even hit one dude with a close range uppercut by totally fluke haha) my man seemed to ease off a bit. I felt like you need to make people respect you or you'll get steam rolled.

6) I don't have a killer instinct (yet!). The mentality of attacking someone just isn't that ingrained in me. It almost seemed weird to fight somebody that I get one well with. I can totally imagine trying to blast someone's head off in a competition because you don't know them, but hitting a dude that I'm cool with seemed strange to me. Also, I would see openings but I had no inbuilt reflex to throw a punch at the opening. All in time I suppose.

Great video and great channel. Keep it up JT.

[daniellj_]

What I found most useful was sparring with the right person (someone who doesn't want to knock your head off) and whatever you do don't turn your back. I found with a lot of new guys they turn their backs when they get hit flush. Closing your eyes doesn't make the monsters go away. Great video man, keep it up.

[nutriextractsuk]

Don't get angry after you get punched, Do not use all you energy in first min.

[PrecisionBoxing]

In this video I give my best tips and advice for people who are about to have their first ever sparring session and are not sure what to expect, or what to do.

1. Your main goal
2. Listen to your coach
3. Combos off the jab
4. Eyes on your opponent
5. Exhale when you punch
6. Go to the body
7. Expect to defend the jab
8. Have one takeaway
9. Move after you hit
10. Simulate the sparring intensity in training

[rebelibya]

This guy is a real master and talks from real experience !

[TheKitchenTable]

Your tips are awesome. As a 43 year old who has finally found boxing and kickboxing. I'm learning every day. And these tips help tremendously. Thank you.

[andrewtanczyk]

I’ve been boxing 🥊 for over 15 years and this was helpful. Great advice for not just beginners but intermediate and professional levels.

[useryt]

Gonna have my first spar session tonight 🥊🥊
Wish me luck

[btimonarch]

The biggest tip I have for new guys is to breathe when they're getting hit, not just when they are throwing. It's really easy to get tense and not breathe when someone is swarming you, but it's such a big mistake, because they're breathing and you're not. You're tiring yourself out when they're doing all the work.

[joesr]

When I had my first sparring session, I was pretty stunned when I got a hit to the head. Though I tried to mentally prepare to get hit, when that cross-connected, I lost focus and any plan I had. Just covered up and pretty much ran backwards, luckily my partner knew it was my first time and back off, taking it easy on me.

[Scrapzilla]

Finally found my guy for boxing tips. Been watching lots of different guys but this guy seems to just talk so much sense, love the vids 👍🏻

[goggy]

ive got a bit of experience in this sport and i find your comments to be honest and productive and free of ego. love your work

[thomsenfam]

A big hurdle for me was getting past my brain. I was always over thinking everything and getting popped in the face in return 😂
I really think it's best to trust your training, try to have faith in your technique and just let it happen. Don't overthink it.
Oh, and don't eat right before you spar. Haha

[wolves]

Great tips - I’m 50 and just started boxing 8 months ago. Had my first light sparring session this week and I realised two things - how much I have to learn and how much I enjoyed it. I’ll take these tips to my next sparring session next week.

[hasank]

this is the best video you have made!

I can see you have put a lot of effort into editing etc. hard work pays off bro... all the best

[MuhammadAli-kvoe]

Thanks coach extremely informative as always. Legend!

[turnerrollins]

I just had my first sparring session today and I watched this video three times in preparation and I would never have done so well without it! Got to throw the left hook a few times, kept my eyes up, and didn't forget to breath!

Thank you!!! Great video

[plpbstuf]

Haven't watched these videos in a while in a while. They're brilliant. Shows maximum respect for the sport and the people who love it. Keep them coming fella.

[sunpacbrolygokuzu]

For me, i have to be cocky. It's the only way my body and mind stays relaxed in any situation. And to anyone having their first sparring session, you're going to get whacked very hard, and my advice is to have the mentality of "come back, i want some more" when you get hit. Also, if you manage to either slip or roll a punch, don't sit back and marvel at the fact that you made the other person miss because while you're doing that, there's usually a beautiful right hand about an inch from your face.