Having trouble advancing when sparring in MT

So I'm just beginning to do light sparring sessions and I'm having trouble advancing on my opponent with out getting tagged.

Feels like if I come forward and try to punch him, he's going to kick me. Any suggestions?

 

If you snap your jab quickly you can get out of a line of fire easily. About getting kicked, check your stance, you don't want that front leg sticking out to be able to get cracked. Jab and get out is the easiest way to avoid getting hit, only when you throw with your power punch is that you commit , you can get countered.

 

This comment may be an important one. If you feel hesitant the you will hesitate.
Feels like, doesn't mean you will get hit. It only means you may be afraid of it. If he is busy defending he can't strike effectively. Move in with a plan of action and don't hold back. Jab your way in or kick your way in...whatever. he is in the same position as you are as far as getting tagged when the distance closes. That is the point of training, to get him first.

I have had those feelings also but mostly it meant I was holding back. Do something to occupy the time of closing the distance. Distract him, Jab (as someone mentioned) kick, fake or whatever. Sometimes you may be able to Teep and push him back, then get him as he is returning. I would first check to see if you may be hesitating due to thinking you're going to get tagged. Hey...sometimes you have to eat a shot! As long as you work it out so that it isn't at a distance to be within the sweet spot!

 

Thanks guys, that makes a lot of sense. Looking back now I do hesitate because when I attack I really don't have a plan.

So maybe I should go in with a plan of attack like doing a combo.


Any suggestions on creating a strategy? I'm watching k1 and amateurs fights on You tube for starters.

 

Well, the thing is, you WILL get hit. That's just a basic fact of your chosen sport. Just accept it as part of it and advance anyway. Do it smoothly, technically and without hesitating.

 

Try to double up your jab first before starting your combos. I was getting countered way to easy and frustrated at first and this was a good suggestion my coach gave me. they don't always expect the second or third jab and when it hits you can unload other punches a little easier. Try swithing it up and counter punching to if he's hitting you to often when you lead. but make sure your not hesistant or he will eat you up.

About the kick, you said it feels like he's gonna kick you. Is he kicking you or are you just scared he will? Aside from obviously trying to check the kicks. if you notice a pattern of him throwing the same kick at you at the same times. Just eat one of them while stepping in and drop a bomb on his ass. he won't be so quick to throw it after that.

If he's not kicking you and you just feel that way, you still just are afraid of getting hit. that takes some time to go away.

 

It's impossible to spar and not get hit. Get over that fear and see results.

 

try and keep your facial expresions in check

 

He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position.

 

stick with that jab. look for openings then take em. learn to time your opponent

throw in a low switch kick here and there to mix it up too

create openings using angles

have good defense to pick off your opponents counters then counter back then get out if you need to

bunch of stuff you can do

play around with it, you're still green

 

when you're getting tagged are you bringing your hands back up after you strike or are you not? make sure you bring your hands back up to your head after you hit or attempt to

 

when advancing be decisive and fast don't shuffle or "walk" in... explode! move in at an angle not straight ahead. USE THE JAB. try to step and jab in one smooth motion. always follow the jab with something. always bring the punching hand right back to guard, even as you are throwing another punch. lot's of counters will be blocked if you just keep your hands up. don't forget you can kick... use kicks to end combos and to make or keep distance. vary the level.

most important is realize you will get hit... probably a lot... try to get used to it and remain focused with eyes open. when you do get tagged you have to make sure he pays for it. find a combo that works and practice using it over and over again. rememebr sparring is used it to practice techniques and combos you have learned, not to "win".

things will slow down for you as you spar more often. you will start to aticipate better, react more quickly, and gradually the ratio of shots landed vs. taken will rise in your favor.

 

Get more pad-work in, for starters. Pad-work kind of gets your brain used to reacting to and throwing strikes at targets as they open up without having to worry about getting tagged. That's a good way to make your striking more fluent. And yeah, relax. You're going to get hit. It's the joy of Muay Thai.

I visualize my combo before going in and throwing it, but I'm ready for it to change if my opponent reacts in a different way.

 

Just to add, when you shadowbox and work the heavy bag imagine that you are fighting an opponent who will hit back. It will help for you to maintain proper head movement and keep you from getting lazy training bad habits.

 

Everyone else has already covered it, but it really is a case of confidence. I'm a very cautious fighter, and I don't always tend to 'tune in' very well. This means I get tagged whenever I move in because I'm waiting for the counter.

When I switch on and just attack without hesitation, I actually get hit less than when I'm actively TRYING to be defensive.

 

My golden question is, how tall are you?

 

good post

 

5"8

 

Thanks guys for all of the great posts! :icon_chee

 

That's not bad. Height is king in striking arts, but you're no midget


One of the golden rules of boxing/MT: unless you're planning to fight on the inside "if you're in range, throw. otherwise get the fuck out of range"

- Grey Steel said above: "If he is busy defending he can't strike effectively. Move in with a plan of action and don't hold back." <-- I am almost 100% sure the reason you get hit is because you go in, throw something weak and then stay there. Don't stay in range! If you're moving in, throw HARD. And then get out.

People are always wondering "how can I defend strikes by blocking/parry/slip" Here's a way easier defense at this stage - just don't be there to be hit. Get the fuck out! Works every time Floyd Mayweather is the (sometimes self proclaimed) best boxer in the world and all this guy does most of the time is take potshots and get out of range, but look how he picked apart his opponents.

The reason is because striking is all about distance and timing really. You can punch faster than it's humanly possible to react, so people don't dodge and do defenses like in the movies (except maybe Roy Jones Jr. lol) - they are aware of when they become in range (and thus in danger) of their opponent as well as their opponent's rhythm and striking style, and this is why gives pro fighters the ability to dodge, not just purely reactions.


So when you spar, try hard to learn your distance and timing.
- Get a feel for what your reach is, and what your partner's reach is. Make a mental note of that "danger zone"
- Get a feel for your partner's timing: what combos does he like to throw and how fast, what interval between each punch in the combo? How long after you throw does he wait to throw back? etc. etc.