what is sparring?

Question

i'm going to start thai boxing and I was told that you can spar if you want. I seen two guys sparring and it was like fighting but not real fighting, kinda light fighting. Is that what sparring is?

is it like fighting except your not relly hitting your partner but more like light taps?

Answer 1

Yes, sparring is light fighting or free form fighting and is used as a means to train in various martial art styles. Sparring is basically just a way to practice the moves you are learning against another opponent in a live action (unpredictable) environment without intent to harm or serious risk of injury.

Although there are some martial arts dojos (studios) that do full contact sparring... Make sure you specify that you only want light contact in the ring before you enter it.

Always remember to bow to your partner before you begin a fight. Also remember to bow or kneel and face away from your opponent if you do accidentally injure them. This shows respect.

If you decide to enter tournaments remember to sign up only for light contact matches, preferably with padding required, otherwise you may get a nasty surprise.

Arguing with someone is often referred to as "verbal sparring" because it too consists of jabbing, blocking, ducking and faking out your opponent with words ;-)

Answer 2

It can be. The amount and type of contact is usually something that can be lessened or increased based on what it is that you and your training partner are trying to accomplish. If you were an executive that had to meet and negotiate large financial deals I doubt your company would want you having a black eye or bruised face to do that. So obviously the sparring would be light to medium contact. If you were a fighter you would probably be going with harder, heavier contact midway through training for a fight and lessen it somewhat just beforehand that final week to avoid last minute injuries and give your body adequate rest and time to recuperate in preparation for the fight. Good, experienced fighters know how hard to hit and kick depending on what it is they are trying to do and in an actual fight a fighter may not always throw every technique with full power. This also carries over into their training and sparring with one another and a good sparring or training partner or two are always beneficial.

Answer 3

Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely.

When you spar you usually go between 50 to 80% of speed/power, if you apply a damaging blow you don't follow up, you let your sparring partner recuperate.

Depending on the martial art sparring varies, full contact sports and martial arts like boxing, muay thai, judo, the sparring is very similar to the actual fighting.

Answer 4

To the beginner sparring may look like fighting but it is not.
In sparring there should be no winner or loser. It is just an applied contact exercise. Don't think about winning or losing, it is about learning how to move, act and re-act.

Sparring only causes injury when one of the people is unskilled and lacks control. It happens but no more so than in other sports.


"light" fighting is a good description. No one goes FULL contact despite what they say. Full contact would lead to death. Not even the UFC guys go full contact, they still have illegal moves built into the rules. Full contact only exists in the street when your life is on the line, the fear brings out the adrenaline and you fight tooth and nail for survival, that is full contact.

Answer 5

Depending on the martial art sparring varies, full contact sports and martial arts like boxing, muay thai, judo, the sparring is very similar to the actual fighting.
2 hours ago
When you spar you usually go between 50 to 80% of speed/power, if you apply a damaging blow you don't follow up, you let your sparring partner recuperate.
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely.

Answer 6

sparring is done between classmates ... Hopefully on a friendly level.... and most people will only go as hard with you as you will want to go with them, and if they dont want to go hard as hard as you, then repect that, personally i like to go hard with the guys that want to... it has left me walking funny for a week a couple of time (leg kicks linger pain for a while).. I havent been knocked down by a punch or a body shot, but have had my leg caught and my standing leg kicks out from under me many many times... many people start taking MT and few stay... and that is what I do enjoy about it... My instructor will say.. we lost another one... it's not for everyone... even though if it was less physically demanding he would make more money.... get a mouthpiece, get a cup, and see what you are made of... good luck

Answer 7

Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely. By extension, argumentative debate is sometimes called "verbal sparring".

Answer 8

Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is relatively free-form fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely.

Have a look at the following articles which all provide further information:

Answer 9

Sparring is not kinda like fighting IT IS FIGHTING. It's controlled combat training at your school just like Kumite at a tournament you fight for points exercising control so that your opponent is not injured. It is not rehearsed or choreographed in order to give you a feel of full all out fighting with out the risk of injury.

Answer 10

Sparring is basically practicing moves/techniques with a partner. You can hit them, but you don't do it to harm them.