how do you guys handle losing in sparring?

ziplocc · 01-30-2013, 03:08 PM

Today just wasn't my day. I got worked over pretty good with leg kicks and my boxing was off. I just couldn't put combos together. No flow or anything. I don't know what was wrong with me but it sucks. How do you guys pull yourself out of your self disappointment?

bowlie · 01-30-2013, 03:14 PM

I got my ass kicked yesterday in sparring. I was in completely the wrong mind frame, trying to use my boxing in a TKD match. I messed it up bigtime and im aching all over today. I was feeling pretty down last night, but now im feeling more optimistic today. I know I will keep getting better. Every loss is a lesson they say.

gotobread · 01-30-2013, 03:15 PM

Well, you start by NOT viewing sparring as a win-or-lose situation.

I've gotten beaten up plenty of times while sparring. Sometimes you just have BAD DAYS. Otherwise, take inventory of what worked and what didn't. If you sparred with a buddy or someone you're friendly with, talk to them about it... see if they noticed something you didn't. Hell, I've done this after amateur fights that I've won and lost. I ended up e-mailing the first guy I ever fought back-and-forth for weeks while we gave each other pointers.

Wow Exuberant · 01-30-2013, 03:32 PM

I've never had judges ring side during Sparring so I don't know

peytonlucy · 01-30-2013, 03:48 PM

Shank for the rematch.

bubkusjones · 01-30-2013, 04:03 PM

You don't "lose" in sparring. You learn. I don't think that can be said enough.

Talk with your coaches who were overseeing your sparring. Talk with the guys you sparred with. Talk with some of the more experienced/accomplished students/fighters in your gym. Ask them what you were doing right, what you were doing wrong and what you should be focusing on next in training. Work on those things and see how it affects your sparring. Maybe bring a camera and have someone record your sparring sessions so you can watch them later (if your coaches are OK with that).

shunyata · 01-30-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotobread

Well, you start by NOT viewing sparring as a win-or-lose situation.

I've gotten beaten up plenty of times while sparring. Sometimes you just have BAD DAYS. Otherwise, take inventory of what worked and what didn't. If you sparred with a buddy or someone you're friendly with, talk to them about it... see if they noticed something you didn't. Hell, I've done this after amateur fights that I've won and lost. I ended up e-mailing the first guy I ever fought back-and-forth for weeks while we gave each other pointers.

This. I focus on a combination of the things that worked well for me (and why they were working) and the things I was messing up and how I can change to make those better.

nostradumbass · 01-30-2013, 04:19 PM

I don't even know you can "lose" in sparring. The whole idea of it to improve so you should be trying stuff you aren't sure will work or that you aren't great at. If you just go in and do only the things you're best at, you'll only "win" sparring sessions until the other guys figure out your limited bag of tricks and you'll find none of it working.

ziplocc · 01-30-2013, 04:36 PM

Thanks guys. I worded it wrong. I didn't mean lose the sparring match, I meant lose to myself during the match. I couldn't put my combos together like I normally do. When I got in the pocket and started firing shots I was getting countered and I froze up and jumped back/got hit. I had my chin just hangin out. My cardio was shot. Everytime I tried to move in I got hit with a leg kick followed by a 1-2 and my brain didn't let me see the pattern. My left leg is bruised up. I normally have very competitive sparring matches with this guy but today I was just off. My question is how do you deal with the self loss. I understand sparring is not a win/lose thing. But when you get beat up for 7 rounds and nothing works like its suppose to it sucks mentally and I don't wanna be gun shy now with this guy. My coach wasn't there today it was a random sparring match btw

DaGenius · 01-30-2013, 04:37 PM

Agreeing with everyone who says sparring isn't a win lose situation. Just keep working and if you have a bad day just set a few things you must do next session IE jab more or use a particular combo

There are exceptions for pro and amateur fighters but beyond that don't worry about winning and losing.