hesitant to attack at sparring

[Tank789]

I just started training in Muay Thai, I've sparred twice already with different partners, the problem is these guys have been doing this longer than me and obiously have better technique. I feel like everytime we spar I just keep defending myself and am very hesitant to attack and get KO. I can admit I am afraid to get hit and that stops me from attacking because obiously the technique of the guy in front of me is better than mine and most probable I will get hit. Is there anyway to overcome this fear? is it normal?

 

[TapSD]

You just l;ack confidence because of your lack of training..sparring is not a fight so your partners should not be throwing punches that are gonna KO you...keep training ..gain confidence and be aggressive

 

[Woob]

Comes with time buddy. you get htia few times. realsie it isnt so bad and it wotn bother you as much. eventually you will start thinking about what you can hit him with rather than what he can hit you with.

 

[SnowBlynd]

Keep pushing the action. It's just sparring so you aren't going to get knocked out even if you do eat some punches (and you will). If you are just starting I'd suggest trying to get inside, a more experienced guy is going to take potshots at you all day on the outside.

 

[Gregster]

What you're experiencing isn't just "normal," it's what every noob in the history of organized martial arts experiences when they first begin training: acting as a moving target for other junior students who look good only because the little they know is still better than the nothing you do. There's not a problem with your game, you just don't have one at all yet.

It takes time; skill at sparring doesn't magically impart itself upon you, it comes gradually over time as you gain experience and expand/refine your repetoire of offensive and defensive techniques. You will also be cultivating skills which simply can't be taught (such as instinct and judgement). Bear in mind that this process invariably involves you getting your ass handed to you on a regular basis; start getting into the mindset that this is not you "losing" or getting tooled but rather it's a learning experience where a better fighter is demonstrating to you what you're doing wrong. You only improve by getting pushed at or near the limit of your ability...nobody ever became a good fighter by beating up hapless sparring partners all the time.

 

[Slickk]

wait so when you're sparring you're not supposed to knock eachother out? or throw crazy stikes like leg kicks, elbows and knees?

 

[Jason Rhodes]

wait so when you're sparring you're not supposed to knock eachother out? or throw crazy stikes like leg kicks, elbows and knees?

ya i know, tell that to some of the people I sparr with. I had the same problems when I first started sparring against people with much more experience and talent. You eat some punches and take your hits, then realize what it takes to counter them. I'm still not all that experienced by any means, but I can at least hold my own. Just work on your techniques, then USE them when you sparr. Don't start sparring and forget everything you have been working on, that's what I did at first. I wouldn't use anything I had been practicing. It'll come, just keep workign and dont get discouraged, they should be helping you along the way and giving you pointers. Good luck!

 

[TapSD]

If people are hitting you to KO you in sparring..give as good as you get..unwritten rule with sparring

 

[blackriceman]

50% power is what your supposed to be sparring with, if u watch boxers and other fighters spar u NEVER see them sparring full power, at my muay thai gym the rule is 50%

 

[bloodjinn]

i never hit to ko or hurt, but i will get a bit irritated if someone takes advantage, and goes for wild face shots without any control

 

[GCSD Fighter]

Practice makes perfect. Think of it as a game of tennis or any other sport. You eventually feel at home.

 

[bloodjinn]

and try perfecting your technique, learn to move around a bit more, thing more, concentrate, do fakes/feints, use combinations, think about stance and play to your strenghtx while perfecting your weaknesses, this will take you a while maybe a year or two to get good enough, to train near your top level, but never just do whats in the class train yourself out side everday

 

[triplex429]

keep practicing. if you are gun shy and fear throwing power shots to the head then just fire the jab. get real good with it. it'll help you learn how to gauge distance and how to dictate a pace in a fight. also work on going to the body and also work on your ring movement while sparring. in and out and circle....in time you will have the confidence to throw bigger punches and combos but right now get down those basics

 

[Sax MMA]

Ya to be honest..if someone was trying to ko me in sparring....they obviously are super inexperienced and would have there mouth punched or kicked in...lol

 

[questforfire]

In my class if someone is trying to KO a weaker fighter they are thrown in with a fighter that is a lot better then them and they have the green light to "teach them a lesson".

 

[6FeetAbove]

Interesting, I haven't started my MMA class yet but when I do should I be looking to sparr with a more advanced fighter? Rather than another person who is new So that this way only 1 of us won't know what they're doing (myself) rather than both? Or do you guys think it's better to learn with someone at your pace?

 

[bloodjinn]

hey dont worry, if your sparring with someone more advanced they should be mature enough to not beat the crap out of you and teach you instead, although i know some assholes in martial arts

 

[blackriceman]

usually when u spar u rotate and spar every single person so u will be both sparring new and old guys

 

[questforfire]

Working with an advanced fighter will help you improve a lot quicker then working with someone of the same caliber or weaker.

And if the guys really good with you, he'll point out what your doing wrong, what he wants you to do against him and what your doing good.

He'll also give you a chance to practice some stuff and lighten up a bit.

 

[jkt]

I like to spar with advanced fighters and then ask them for advice afterwards. They can tell you what you did wrong and need to work on. Sparring someone the same level as you can be fun to try out new techniques but I don't think I learn as much.