From boxers to martial arts fighters, most professionals agree that sparring is the most genuine way to test their skills.
If you’ve recently taken up a combat sport, sparring can be pretty intimidating, and you may even question its whole point. But the experience of facing off against another human being in a controlled setting can teach you something you may not learn by punching a bag.
Believe it or not, the better you get at sparring, the more chances you have at winning in an actual competition. That said, this sport is not only about stepping into the ring and brawling; there are certain things you need to keep in mind to get the most out of it.
But before you begin sparring or searching for sparring partners, this informative article will look at all the important things that make sparring worthwhile. So, if you are ready, let’s jump into our top boxing sparring tips and how to get the most out of a good sparring session.
How To Get The Most Out Of Sparring?
To have a fruitful sparring session, you must keep these things in mind:
1. Wear The Appropriate Gear
First, you must wear the right gear before stepping into the ring. Since you are only training, you will want to keep the injuries to a minimum. For most combat sports such as MMA, Muay Thai and Boxing, gloves are a must. So, make sure you wear them.
The headgear is also essential; it can protect your head during an intense sparring session and keep you safe. It also reduces the fear of getting hit, which helps you focus more on your training.
When choosing headgear, ensure you don’t go with an item blocking your visibility. You should be able to see your partner and the ring clearly because catching the partner and dodging their attacks is more important than hitting them during training.
For sports like MMA that include kicking, we highly suggest wearing shin guards, as they protect your ankles, feet and shins from repeated blows while training. Last but not least, you’ll need to wear proper footwear, ideally something that provides sufficient stability and support.
2. Choose Your Sparring Partner Wisely
The person that you spar with can make or break your session. You might take a severe beating if you select someone more skilled or bigger. You will not learn much from it.
On the other hand, if you choose a newbie, you might not even feel challenged in the ring; all the effort and preparation will be futile. Hence, you should always select someone whose skill level is as good as yours to make the most of the sparring session.
3. Keep Changing Your Partners
Don’t hesitate to practice with others once you get used to sparring with those who match your skill level. Remember, after a certain point, variety becomes essential. Everyone has their style and favourite combinations. So, sparring with different people will allow you to respond and react faster over time.
The idea is to get out of your comfort zone and work on your weaknesses so that you can eventually turn them into strengths.
4. Focus On The Basics
Keep your hands up and your chin down; stay relaxed and loose. Make sure you have your eyes on the opponent.
These are the basics you always practice, and we can’t stress enough how important they are to a successful sparring session. Keep practising these basics from time to time because if they fall apart when you spar, they’ll also fall apart in the actual competition.
While having a plan in mind is necessary, you cannot afford to sacrifice your basics.
5. Have A Goal In Your Mind
When entering the ring, keep your mind focused on your goal. Ask yourself what you want to get out of this session. Do you want to work on the fluidity of your combination or focus on perfecting your punches? When you know your goal, things become a lot easier.
Whatever your goal is, make sure you prioritise it before starting the sparring session. Plus, we highly recommend not practising the stuff that you are already good at all the time.
6. Don’t Be Afraid To Get Hit
Understand this; you will get hit once you get in the ring! The faster you overcome your ego and accept this reality, the better. If you’ve never been hit before, it’s only natural to be a little scared. However, you must brace yourself for the inevitable.
You will focus better when you accept that taking punches is also a part of sparring. So, keep your mind focused on your training goals instead of worrying about them.
On the other hand, if you only focus on dodging and blocking the incoming blows, you will not gain anything. And frankly speaking, you won’t be able to win matches in an actual competition either.
7. Knowledge Is The Key To Success
After your sparring sessions, don’t hesitate to ask your partner for advice. Make them feel like it is more of a partnership than a competition. In this way, you will improve your game and grow.
Remember that it is a two-way street, so don’t hesitate to provide tips and tricks to your partner. If you notice something your partner needs to work on, point it out to them. The more knowledge you gain during the sparring sessions, the better fighter you eventually become.
8. Have Fun
Sparring is just a sport at the end of the day, so make sure you have fun. No matter how intense your session gets, you should always respect the opponent at the end of the round. It’s crucial to realise that you are sparring to better your game and not demoralise or belittle anyone.
Enjoy Your Sparring Sessions
That brings us to the end of the article.
We hope you were able to gain some valuable insights into how you can get the most out of sparring. Before we sign off, here’s our last word of advice: always stay focused on your goals and don’t get distracted by the naysayers.
Remember that practice makes perfect, so ensure you are confident in your training sessions before trying out a real fight.
Also, wear all the required gear before sparring for optimal protection. And make sure you speak to our team if you have any queries. At MMA Factory, we offer a diverse range of MMA equipment for boxing sparring, including boxing gloves, focus mitts and much more!
Until next time, we hope you enjoyed our sparring tips!
