I have been involved in jiu jitsu for about 2 years and recently started boxing. I have a serious problem with sparring. I know it’s normal to not enjoy getting hit in the face, but when someone comes at me in the ring I am having trouble thinking, counter punching, and blocking effectively. I don’t really react and end up bending forward and lose sight of the other fighter. I spend the entire time sparring worrying about what my opponent is going to do and spend no time coming up with a plan of my own. Will sparring more help me get over my fear? Or do is there something else that may help me?
2006-09-27 22:22:58 · 16 answers · asked by troda2048 1 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
Sparring more will help. Remember when that first armbar, choke, etc. just happened and you didn't even have to think to do it? Then it started happening more often? It is the same with boxing.
It will take time and pain but remember that you are probably not going to get seriously hurt. Give your boxing training 6 mo. and you will see an improvement of your skills and you will get used to being hit. You don't have to like it but you will get used to it.
Try not to think so much, it slows your reflexes.
2006-09-28 02:37:07 · answer #1 · answered by dogpreacher@sbcglobal.net 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sparring is a great way to work on specific parts of your game. It's that way for both sparring partners. If you want to work on your counter to the left jab, then tell your sparring partner that that is whet you are going to work on. Your sparring partner can then help you to work on that by feeding you left jabs. He gets to work on his defense to your counter of his left jab as well. Then you can switch roles and you can also change what part of your game you are working on. Yes, sparring is also for working on building the endurance you will need when facing a real opponent, something you cannot do any other way. The main focus, however, should be on working to improve specific techniques. During sparring sessions, neither of you should try to hurt the other and should one of you get dazed by a punch or kick, stop and allow the affected person to recover before continuing.
2016-03-18 02:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you just have to keep sparring, Nothing, not even all the practice in the world can train you to take a hit, especilay a hit to the face.
but after several weeks of sparring you should get used to the mechanics of the boxing element.
So yes more practice at your sparring techniques is wha you'll need to improve.
2006-09-28 02:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by quiksilver8676 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should step out of a full on sparring situation for now and focus on "attribute training."
Paul Vunak (from the Bruce Lee lineage) hits the nail on the head when he said you cannot depend on "technique." Instead, you must train yourself in power, speed, agility and energy/sensitivity training drills.
Paul relates how he used to get his but kicked when sparring. Then, Dan Inosanto introduced him to Filipino energy/sensitivity drills and this aided him in protecting himself and even dominating others while sparring.
I really think you should look into this.
2006-09-28 02:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by crazyninjadudeguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel the same way as you alot of the time. I trained in Judo for 12 years, wrestled for 4 years and played Rugby for 4. I love contact hard hitting and being hit. But I can't stand being punched in the face or the stomach. And I really don't like punching others in the face. But once you get on the mat or in the ring you will perform. I've done things in Rugby Games and Judo matches to people I wouldn't to a sparing dummy. IF you can get used to having your arms twisted to the point of near breaking or dislocation you can handle a jab in the face.
2006-09-28 12:24:43 · answer #5 · answered by Judoka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I trained in Kenpo Karate. We had to learn how to block all punches and kicks before getting into sparring. This blocking/defense training was almost 8 months. At the start ...the instructors would throw punches/kick very slowly. Over time....they would start speeding up the punches/kicks. After 8 months the punches/kicks were coming almost full speed. All the defensive training gave us confidence, and eliminated alot of beginner mistakes.
2006-09-27 22:39:37 · answer #6 · answered by foghat77 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple different things you can do that will definitely help you.
1. Start doing drills. One drill we do with beginners is we have them stand in their fighter stance with the heel of your rear foot against the wall. Your only job is to slip left,slip right,bob and weave,duck your head, and cover up for body shots. Your training partner stands in front of you and slowly throws punches at you to help you with your timing and fear of getting hit. You must keep your heel against the wall the entire time. Keeping your heel against the wall just keeps you from backing up or running away. Have your partner start with 20% speed and power and do 1:30 rounds.
2. Alot of focus pad drills will help you with your confidence and timing.
3. Alot of sparring - but again, if you are a beginner you and your training partner should start out sparring at 20% or so and work your way up.
Just remember, if you were a father and you are going to teach your son how to catch a baseball for the first time are you going to burn down fast balls at him or are you going to throw the ball in a manner that he will actually be able to learn to catch the ball?
I hope this helps and best of luck in your training!
2006-09-28 03:01:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that dog preacher has alot of good things to say but i would like to add a few things to that. first of all find a partner to train with who is a skilled striker and start out with very light punches but try not to check them(gets you used to being hit).then work on harder stirkes.then work on blocking. again try not to think to much it slowes reflexes. and more sparring will help as well.
2006-09-28 05:28:47 · answer #8 · answered by hawk c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Exposure will lead to composure.
\Work on your breathing. When fear hits you a whole chain of events occur in your body. One of the first things that happens is your heart rate and breathing pace change. this changes the blood flow in your body and your brain starts to function differently. Rational thought goes out the window, baser instincts take over. Your vision narrows, you lose fine motor skills. Focus on your breathing this will regulate the pace for the other systems. Once you have gained control of your body and pulled it out of panic mode you are back in the fight. As you are now thinking clearly, rely on your training. The best way to hone this non-panic skill is to expose your self to it and overcome it. (It is surprisingly similar to the fear of public speaking, it is performance anxiety.)
If two combatants are pretty evenly matched, often the winner will be decided by composure.
2006-09-28 04:29:42 · answer #9 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sparring more and more will help you rid your fear of getting hit. You have to force yourself to go beyond your natural instinct. Sometimes flight outweighs fight, but you are the one animal that can defy natural instinct and choose.
Focus hard. Focus well. You -can- do it if you try hard enough.
2006-09-27 22:24:49 · answer #10 · answered by Seraphim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋