Got my ass whooped in sparring!!

[Mad Dollar]

I've been training kickboxing for about 4 months now, I feel like my technique is getting pretty decent, but every time I spar I just get my ass whooped.. It's like as soon as I get punched in the face or kicked in the stomach, everything I've learned goes completely out the window and I just become a human punchingbag.. Is this normal in the beginning of you're fighting career or is there something I can do different? - Any suggestions will be considered a great help

 

[PivotPunch]

I'm a beginner as well but just spar with people who go so light on you that you can use proper technique and what you have learned. The mroe comfortable you are the harder you can go but if all your technique goes out the window and you can't stay calm when getting hit then start sparring at 10% sparring really really light then spar 20%.... until you can use technuqe at whatever intensity you spar at now.
You learn nothing by being a punching bag don't spar with people who use you as such

 

[ArtemV]

Try to focus on just remembering one or two techniques per sparring session. Whether, it is a simple jab, learning to block and counter, or just throwing a straight right.

 

[Deleted member 466273]

I've been training kickboxing for about 4 months now, I feel like my technique is getting pretty decent, but every time I spar I just get my ass whooped.. It's like as soon as I get punched in the face or kicked in the stomach, everything I've learned goes completely out the window and I just become a human punchingbag.. Is this normal in the beginning of you're fighting career or is there something I can do different? - Any suggestions will be considered a great help

Yeah, you get get stunned when getting hit the first time around. The problem is A) You're not used to it, and B) it's a fake fight. You don't have the adrenalin as in fighting for real.. You will get the hang of it eventually, simply because you don't want to get hit. Ones body will automatically improve the reflexes.

 

[Sano]

Also worth pointing out is that 4 months is really not that long at all. It takes a very long time to progress to a level were you are comfortably sparring and using the techniques you want to.

 

[wilddeuces]

Happens to everybody. You're confidence will go up now that you know you can take a good hit and everything is fine. Eventually, you'll just get hit and react with counter, or see the strike coming and learn how to block or ride it to diminish its power. Practice, practice and more discouraging practice as I have learned.

 

[MuayThaiDude]

Make sure your defense works for you and throw that jab and teep out there. Work on intercepting his/her strikes when you see their shoulders/ waist move. If you are getting roundhoused a lot, catch those suckers. If you find yourself always covering up or flinching that is very common given only 4 months in. Don't do it. Evade, slip and parry and only only turtle up as a last resort. 3 strikes alternating drills help out with this quite a bit; especially in developing that muscle memory and rhythm. Most imprtanly DO NOT LOOK DOWN and breath SHH with every strike. Work on throwing one or two strikes to get them back into the ropes or corner, then you can unload with longer combos. Others may disagree but this has worked for me.

 

[MuayThaiDude]

Oh and I should add, make sure to keep your chin tucked religiously, given them your forehead, do not get caught with a hook with your mouth open. Hurts like a mofo. I also guest looking into the crazy monkey defense; it's great for beginners especially.

 

[Mad Dollar]

Thanks for the advices everyone I really appreciate it, and I will certainly use all of them next time I go sparring !!

 

[Aikidoka]

One thing that helped me out, teep kick.
Just teep the motherfucker away constantly.
If you see he's onto it throw a leg kick and a left-right, and then teep away again.
Oh and give head movement a go.

 

[NGSouthpaw]

Where are you from and who were you sparring with ? I'm just wondering cuz in some country or some gym, people sparring pretty hard. And you might dislike this, but im gonna be honest with you. It's good to get your ass whooped since imho. You learn better through losing than winning since it will give you not only which part (Punching/Kicking/Footwork/Blocking/catching/Clinching, etc and etc) you need to improve but also an excellent motivation to not get beaten again!
As for the advice, since you sound like you got attacked a lot. Work on your defensive. Don't just stand there and get hits for nothing, you're not a punching bag, you have a brain and it work! It could probably einstein IQ level as far as i concern (lol) so atleast use that and trying to see which part they hit you, it's like finding the patterns, most beginners tend to be pretty predictable.
Footwork is essential. If you don't want to get hit then simply don't let them close to you, that's it. And when somebody whining why are you always running away, just said "U Mad ?" or "It's just a prank, bro" !!!
Ya know, it's like a mind game, trying to messing with his/[her] head and give things positive and joyful for you so you won't stress out in sparring.
Good luck, bruh.

 

[Pugilism]

Yes and while I have never kickboxed that sounds like my first 6 mos of boxing again as an adult. I went to a pretty tough, "old school style", without the brightest bulb of a coach in the box so that is like the trifecta of regular asswhippings at a gym. Oh it was also in a tough neighborhood so forget too many "empathetic" sparring partners.roflmao

My trick and it STILL pays dividends today was MASTERING that jab but moreso that DOUBLE JAB. I already have long arms but it doesn't matter if you dont you just have to work timing. Spend at Least 3 rounds a gym session on that heavy bag JABs only. Throw em in 2s or 3s. I don't want to step on your coaches toes, but we teach the small step with the jab to create more space, give a longer jab, and to add a slight bit of power. Just step 1 and a half to 2 inches forward on impact to try it. The way I teach my kids is, "pretend that you are stepping on a bug!" "Nice jab, but you forgot to step on the bug!" 2 quick steps for the double jab which you should focus on. People will block 1 but usually get hit with that 2nd. Also, they can par or shrug 1, they HAVE to move for 2 and that sets me up for my 1-1-2 that always follows. Quickly mastering that double jab going forward AND backwards is a very quick and effective way to deal with people who are on a much higher skill level than you. Trust me as I did it and now the majority of the city knows about my double and really don't like to deal with it, all because I needed to find a fast way to effectively keep em off.lol

Last thing, next you have to learn how to mix that 2 in there for added power and when you see the opportunity present itself. So that is how to turn it up if the doubles in succession(dont be afraid to throw the double 2 -3 even 4 times in a row, the goal is to start touching him.) Begin to work and you find yourself backing HIM up start mixing in that hard, fast 2! Also, if he keeps being aggressive, keeps coming forward, you have to be able to lightly touch him w/the double, he keeps coming maybe slips em, touch him again w/the d jab, he slips 1 and eats the other but keeps coming ), all this while you stepping back measuring him and if you are regularly practicing that jab you sbould know where you are and he needs to be. So you step back again, touch him with a SUPER LIGHT double jab, plant and bring that stiff, hard 2 around so its a 1-1-2, or even just immediately switch to that 1-2 but I promise if delivered correctly he WILL NOT walk through that and you will probably at the very least buckle him...maybe more.lls. You should be able to practice and land this setup ALOT now because the pecking order has already been established and they think that they can aggressively run over you. Dont be surprised if you land it 2-3xs in the same spar, but it all Stars with the double jab. My boxers will read this and know EXACTLY who it is.lmao

The jab is the most over looked punch and the double can become your best friend right now!

 

[Pugilism]

Jab Drill:

Throw 1 jab let bag swing back
Throw 2 jabs let bag swing back
Repeat up to 10 jabs
Throw 9 jabs let bag swing back
Throw 8 jabs let bag swing back
Repeat down to 1 jab

 

[freaky]

I've been training kickboxing for about 4 months now, I feel like my technique is getting pretty decent, but every time I spar I just get my ass whooped.. It's like as soon as I get punched in the face or kicked in the stomach, everything I've learned goes completely out the window and I just become a human punchingbag.. Is this normal in the beginning of you're fighting career or is there something I can do different? - Any suggestions will be considered a great help

who are you sparring? How long have they been training? You don't expect to whoop someone whose been training for years with only 4 months of training right?

 

[A&R_Superstar]

Its pretty normal to get spooked the first few times you get hit and your brain just forgets everything that you think you know so well. Remember to keep your hands up and remember to move. When i first started i remember just standing in the pocket and brawling. Now I'm the old guy, who the put the guys who are new so sparring in with because I have self control. Your more experienced partners should be helping you learn by making you move and helping you work on blocking and moving, and you should be thinking about setting up your shots rather than just throwing. Im short and strong and fight with a lot of pressure, i hope it helps new guys learn that if you're taller than me, fight tall, use your jab and move.

 

[Foppa21]

Without reading the rest of the comments, you've been training for 4 months... You're greener than a rookie when it comes to sparring (unless you've had experience elsewhere with sparring of any kind).

You're going to get hit/touched. It takes awhile to come to terms with that. Those more experienced should hopefully help you out in a more constructive sparring rather than just opening up a can of whoop @$$ on you.

Work on little things every session and try to execute them.

 

[Burning Hammer]

Jab Drill:

Throw 1 jab let bag swing back
Throw 2 jabs let bag swing back
Repeat up to 10 jabs
Throw 9 jabs let bag swing back
Throw 8 jabs let bag swing back
Repeat down to 1 jab

Sounds like an amazing way to ruin your shoulder tbh

 

[SublimeSun]

As you have mentioned that you become a human punching bag, it sounds like you need to learn how to keep composure when you have strikes coming at you. Just remember, keep your hands up, your eyes open, and don't turn away! A ton of people go through this when they first start sparring. Once you learn how to keep composure, you will feel more comfortable countering and striking at someone when they are trying to hit you.

 

[Pugilism]

Sounds like an amazing way to ruin your shoulder tbh

Well Dr Asshole, I haven't had any shoulder issues in more than 7 yrs of boxing. Nor have any of the over 100 kids who have trained at the gym. Please sit your unqualified ass down, you armchair idiot. K thx .

 

[Thurisaz]

When you're not used to getting hit, you get stunned easily. It is normal. It is also something you grow out of, unless your last name is Overeem.