Sparring vs. fighting

[Justfulwardog]

Just wondering if anyone else does this. When I spar I always practice fighting backwards. My coach once told me that it is ten times harder fighting backwards than pushing forward. So I guess I set out to defy that law. The thing is when I fight in the ring, I always push my opponent back. I know that, that is the way of choice in the ring. I just thought it odd that I still spar, always moving backwards, whether I mean to or not.

The reason it is easier to fight when your opponent is backing up, is because they usually don't know that you have to set your feet Just before you fire back. They try to strike while backing up. Momentum just don't work that way.

[White Warlock]

The main issue with moving backwards while in a confrontation, is that your threat is in front of you and your attention is behind you. Your focus is split, and therefore you cannot as effectively defend, or attack.

The better means is to travel at an angle, preferably left and forward, or right and forward. If not that, then left and pivot or right and pivot (performed simultaneously).

As to being able to present a stronger offense while you are moving backwards, yes... there's a problem there. But, what you can do is set yourself and strike, then set again and strike. A sort of stepping back to ground yourself and then as your opponent moves in, smack them. Their momentum will increase the damage you cause.

If while you are moving backwards you are off balance, then you definitely need to work on your actions. I recommend you simply stop doing it while sparring, since it's going to mess u up later. I gather one of the reasons you are doing so is that you are either holding back too much against your opponents or your opponents are far more aggressive. Either way, you have some things work on there.

Would toss out more, but tired.

[shogeri]

Always spar as if you are fighting. Remember you are not only training your brain to react in a certain way, you are training your body as well.

The brain might forget, but your body remembers.

So always:

1) Sidestep

2) Parry

3) Step forward - at angle or straight in trapping or locking or jamming the opponent up.

Any combination of these are some of the more efficient means of footwork.

You cannot redirect or control the centerline or your opponent's energy, or physical balance if you are backing up, that is fighting backwards.

If you feel strength is a factor, then do not work on meeting blow with blow. Rather:

1) avoid their strike,

2) Then focus more on striking back,

3) Then control, and

4) Takedown or knockout/set up for a knockout.

Just some of my thoughts...

[Ben Martin]

. I gather one of the reasons you are doing so is that you are either holding back too much against your opponents quote]

I think that mnight be the case for me. every since i had my first grading and made my opponent cry (yes she wa a girl) ive always held back when fighting (appart from 1 person coz i feel relaxed with him) i dont feel like a can go in propperly with out hurting them. we spar invetween semi and full contact but because there are more women in my class and only about 6 students on a good day i feel like i cant do what i want to. im a big guy but my hands are slow so if i cant go at my full speed i often miss openings and im to slow to get them when we are sparing semi but i cant use my full speed with out really hurting them. even what i feel are controled punches often hurt others thats 1 of the reasons on why im thinking of changing to full ciontatc muay thai

[Justfulwardog]

I kinda think of it like training in a left hand stance if you are right handed, like karate makes you do. I guess I do go forward, but most of the time I back or sidestep. Maybe my opponent will be stronger than me someday. I don't want to be one of those fighters who is pushed back, and therefore taken out of his game. I hate feeling weak, so I try to stack the odds against myself, so that I know I can always handle more. I have worked out very hard when I have been sick, just to show myself that I could still defend myself. You never know when an altercation will happen.

It is also a lot of fun. When I sparr with new guys that don't know me well, they think I am showing weakness, but I am merely baiting them. They become overconfident, and then it's time to play. Remember, fighting is more psychological than anything.

[White Warlock]

Remember, fighting is more psychological than anything.

It's a big factor, yes.

[Menjo]

i think Luck is a factor usually unrecognized...Last week there was a high school dance nearby when i was going to the corner store so alot drunk teens around. Soemone out of nowwhere about 6'4 grabed me out of nowhere and tried to pull me to the ground. Luckly I punched as hard as i could and kicked him to the gut and he went down I kicked him 2 or 3 times and left fast. If he had decided to punch me from behind or smash me with an object or even do anything besides just grabing my shoulder that would have been it for me. So luck decides how you have to apply yourself.