First time sparring in a while - Lessons Learned

[singularity6]

So I sparred for the first time in a while in class (had a 6 month break, and was recovering from a hip injury.) It was quite interesting. I learned that I lost whatever edge I had before the break, and as I'm only a green belt, I did not have a lot of experience sparring, anyway.

Yesterday's class was black belt-heavy. 4 black belts, 2 green belts and a yellow belt were all that attended. So, the color belts rotated among the black belts. As I should be testing for 5th geup soon, they went a little harder on me than before. Each of my opponents had distinctively different fighting styles.

My first opponent is a very balanced fighter. He'll encroach on you slowly and then unleash. He regularly knocks me upside the head with spinning back fists, hook kicks, or just drills me in the face with basic punches (I've gotten pretty good at blocking with my face!)

The second guy I fought is like fighting a fortress. He's purely defensive, doesn't move much, but he's really hard to get a hit on him. I'm not sure if he treats green belts any different than black belts... Every time I spar with him, my matches have always ended with me in a choke-hold on the ground.

Finally, I sparred the youngest of the black belts who were present that day (ripe old age of 22) and he was by far the most aggressive. He tends to charge in on most people with a flurry of punches and kicks, and he gets close. We went at it for a few bouts over a few minutes, and each time I found myself to be quite overwhelmed. And in one case, in another choke hold on the floor.

Yesterday was the first day where I sparred with multiple opponents in one day. The contrast of fighting styles was extremely useful. I made lots of mistakes, and it's in those mistakes where the learning happens! I got pretty wound up, and in some occasions, let fear take over. I also ran out of gas pretty quickly, which shows that I need to work more on my stamina.

[Alan Armstrong]

So I sparred for the first time in a while in class (had a 6 month break, and was recovering from a hip injury.) It was quite interesting. I learned that I lost whatever edge I had before the break, and as I'm only a green belt, I did not have a lot of experience sparring, anyway.

Yesterday's class was black belt-heavy. 4 black belts, 2 green belts and a yellow belt were all that attended. So, the color belts rotated among the black belts. As I should be testing for 5th geup soon, they went a little harder on me than before. Each of my opponents had distinctively different fighting styles.

My first opponent is a very balanced fighter. He'll encroach on you slowly and then unleash. He regularly knocks me upside the head with spinning back fists, hook kicks, or just drills me in the face with basic punches (I've gotten pretty good at blocking with my face!)

The second guy I fought is like fighting a fortress. He's purely defensive, doesn't move much, but he's really hard to get a hit on him. I'm not sure if he treats green belts any different than black belts... Every time I spar with him, my matches have always ended with me in a choke-hold on the ground.

Finally, I sparred the youngest of the black belts who were present that day (ripe old age of 22) and he was by far the most aggressive. He tends to charge in on most people with a flurry of punches and kicks, and he gets close. We went at it for a few bouts over a few minutes, and each time I found myself to be quite overwhelmed. And in one case, in another choke hold on the floor.

Yesterday was the first day where I sparred with multiple opponents in one day. The contrast of fighting styles was extremely useful. I made lots of mistakes, and it's in those mistakes where the learning happens! I got pretty wound up, and in some occasions, let fear take over. I also ran out of gas pretty quickly, which shows that I need to work more on my stamina.

Sometimes it isn't stamina, you could be trying too hard and not using your techniques enough.

Suggest slowing down, pick your shots and try getting in to your personal flow state.

Too much attention spent thinking what is around you and not enough focus on what you should be doing, is a typical problem, that is easy to fix with practice.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Alan Armstrong

[singularity6]

I'm sure my technique and flow are off (I've not sparred much, as I'm still fairly new at this.) But I definitely need to get my butt in better shape!

[Bulltahr]

Don't forget to breathe! A lot of people don't breathe properly when sparring and you run out of gas much quicker.......

[Alan Armstrong]

Don't forget to breathe! A lot of people don't breathe properly when sparring and you run out of gas much quicker.......

Here are a few sparing tips, for beginners or those that need to refocus their fighting habits; yes it includes breathing.