how long to get over the gitters??

[mourning_]

so i've been doing an into to FIGHT class. (fight class is basically a class where you spar, basically MMA stuff) so i've gone the first 2 weeks and im the youngest by far. most are 25+ im 17. and i've had the gitters a bit. i think im just not use to the level of intensity as well as the fact someone is tryign to hit me. All we've covered so far is boxing basics. I trained with someone this weekend. We sparred, no gloves, but we pulled back punches to the face. i think im getting better, but any suggestions to getting rid of these gitters? i think i just need to p my intensity and not be on the defense the whole time.

[ElbowTKO]

I'm 17 also, one thing that you have you have to consider when sparing againts adults is that they will go easy on you, perhaps too easy. Take advantage of that, and they will go hard on you. I guess I never had a problem sparing againts larger people in Muay Thai sparing class, I only have the opposite problem, if they go too hard on you... just tell them to go light.

[IcemanSK]

I'm 17 also, one thing that you have you have to consider when sparing againts adults is that they will go easy on you, perhaps too easy. Take advantage of that, and they will go hard on you. I guess I never had a problem sparing againts larger people in Muay Thai sparing class, I only have the opposite problem, if they go too hard on you... just tell them to go light.

Telling your opponent to ease up when needed is a good thing to do. Its sparring... Not a mugging.

I used to train w/ a pro fighter who, even when he was young (18-19) always looked so comfortable in the ring. Never being comfortable myself, I asked him his secret. "Just keep doin' it," he said. I wish there was a great piece of wisdom to impart, but that's it. The more ya do it, the more train & watch others, the more relaxed you'll be. The gitters never totally go away, tho. And that's a good thing. It might sound odd, but it helps you stay sharp.

[elbows_and_knees]

being comfortable in sparring/fighting can NOT be attributed to age. I was comfy when I was 17 and I am comfy now that I am 27. It's an experience thing. Your first several sparring sessions, you will have gitters - that is natural. Once you start to relax, the gitters go away. This just comes with experience. There is no exact amount of time - it varies from person to person.

When you get in the ring for the first time, you will likely have gitters - even though you spar regularly - the situation is different and thus the stress is different also.

In time, you will get used to the situation and you will not be unable to deal with the gitters.