how good do you have to be to spar?

[unknownstyle]

dude i would spar my instructor anyday of the week, and im 5' 9" and 129lbs. and hes 6' 2" and 310lbs., i know that i won't win but it is a good way to get to use new things so you don't hurt someone else. your instructor will have more control, will probably never just flat out wail on you, and his conditioning will be far suporior to yours so you can try what you want

[fallen_milkman]

We start sparring right off the bat in my school. Sparring is just about learning, unless you're at a tournament. Now, if your instructor enters you in a tournament within your first month, then it's pushing you ahead too early.

[Zaine]

I would definately say you are being thrown in too fast. 6 inches taller and 125 lbs. heavier? Yeah that is definatly too fast in my opinion, though I'm not a teacher myself, so thats just my opinion. I'm thinking you should normally start out with someone at least your same weight/rank.

Um, i dont think that at all, a white belt against a black belt, for one, the first sparring match i had was against a guy a foot taller than me and 300 pounds. And he was against a black belt, they tend to have control.

[TAZ]

In response to the original question "how good to you have to be to spar?", IMHO I think that one should at least know the basics of punching and kicking. I feel that there can be to much opportunity for one to be intimidated if thrown in too early without "some" understanding, and then in turn not want to continue to study that art.

[KF Dude]

i felt uncomfortable but didn't want to say anything to the teacher. do you think i'm being thrown in too fast? i mean i can barely throw a jab and straight correctly at this point with keeping a proper guard let a lone having someone stand infront of me and not only throwing punches at me but also kicks.

You have nothing to spar with yet. Train the basics, get them down first. You get more out sparring when you have some techniques or skills to work with.

[Goju_boi]

I wouldn'tsay he doesn't have anything to work with yet, but he should of gone with someone with less experience tha a black belt

[JissenKumite100]

Personally i dont think you were thrown in too fast. The senior students in your class, and in any class for that matter, are there to help the lower belts. They should have enough sense to say, hey this guys only a white belt, he doesnt know what he's doing so ill go easy.

I remember my first sparring class. I faught a brown belt....he didnt kill me but he made me work. It wasn't untill i'd been at it for about 2 months that he really started to go at a good pace with me. I also beleive that it is essential to take your lumps and bumps to become a good fighter. Also, it is always ok when your fighting a higher belt and he/she is going too hard on you, to tell that person to slow it down. You really cant let yor pride get in the way becuase thats when people get hurt. When you are in more pain than you can handle and you dont say anything. Keep up with the MA and you will find that as you go..you will be able to contend with your higher belts alot better.

[Goju_boi]

lol, I had my first sparring session with a brown belt too. Ahhhhhhhh i was murdered with his fists!

[AndrewGreen]

Basically you need to know how to jab, and a little about footwork. A person can start some form of sparring within about 10 mins of training.

In combative sports, sparring is how you learn the basics.

When teaching grappling I've had kids spar as the first thing the do. "Start on your knees, no hitting, grabbing clothes or hair or hands in the face, first person who's back touches the floor looses, Go!"

[Goju_boi]

sounds fun