Sparring How to best use boxing body sparring for mma?

[wolffanghameha]

My uncle and his friends go body sparring a couple of times a week and have done for 10+ years. I haven't done it loads. When I did go I kept my guard the same as usual, threw hooks to the shoulder (pretty different positioning to hitting the head) and mixed up throwing to the chest and abs.
I'm wondering if I can make it have worthwhile crossover to mma development. Either as a rare replacement for actual mma gym sessions or as an additional session to focus on some particular skills.

It's conditioning, timing and trying to trick your opponent practice. But the combinations, setups, footwork and range are obviously different compared to if hitting the head.

How can I (or anyone) best use body sparring with the most crossover to mma/general standup and without learning bad habits for mma? What should be the goal to focus on and what should be avoided?

Would it be best to practice the philly shell?
Work on head on the chest infighting?
Can't work slipping punches really.

I have seen brief footage of Ilia Topuria doing boxing body sparring, so I know some mma fighters use it in some way.

 

[DoctorTaco]

Add takedowns

 

[Trabaho]

Yo are making this too complicated. You do it by just participating in it.

The MMA gym I go to for kickboxing classes ocassionaly/rarely also makes us do a few rounds body shot sparring.

You likely aren´t training at a MMA gym to really obsess about how this will affect you.

It beats not training or not doing it.

Nothing to discuss about, just do some body shot sparring. The real deal is training a full sport. As for bad habbits, at least you will get some practice in. If you were to join full striking practices, you will get those hands up to not get punched in the face.

But to ask for details on how to do this the right way when you aren´t even training MMA I don´t see the point of it.

Do you do any excercise in general, like weights, push ups, jogging, any sports ?

As for what to do during it, you always wanna play around with distance and guards in general to build habbits on what works for you, the goal is simple, hit and don´t get hit, move, toughen up, don´t annoy your pratice partner. Body shot only is very limited. I think you guys just do boxing ? Body shot only with kicks and knees would be more complex.

 

[Stoic1]

I think you will instinctively/unconsciously lower your guard a bit and not make head movement a priority, both of which will rack in the negative column for MMA.

However, any sparring with heavy contact especially with the conditioning aspects will overcome previously mentioned negatives.

Fuck it. Bang, bro.

 

[ROcknrollracing]

If you aren't training headshots you aren't really practicing. It is an ok drill to do time to time or if you wanted to trade off practicing body defense. You really need to train head shots for both self defense or competition.

Never neglect your defense.

 

[Trabaho]

If you aren't training headshots you aren't really practicing. It is an ok drill to do time to time or if you wanted to trade off practicing body defense. You really need to train head shots for both self defense or competition.

Never neglect your defense.

Yeah agreed. Still better than doing nothing.

 

[wolffanghameha]

Yo are making this too complicated. You do it by just participating in it.

The MMA gym I go to for kickboxing classes ocassionaly/rarely also makes us do a few rounds body shot sparring.

You likely aren´t training at a MMA gym to really obsess about how this will affect you.

It beats not training or not doing it.

Nothing to discuss about, just do some body shot sparring. The real deal is training a full sport. As for bad habbits, at least you will get some practice in. If you were to join full striking practices, you will get those hands up to not get punched in the face.

But to ask for details on how to do this the right way when you aren´t even training MMA I don´t see the point of it.

Do you do any excercise in general, like weights, push ups, jogging, any sports ?

As for what to do during it, you always wanna play around with distance and guards in general to build habbits on what works for you, the goal is simple, hit and don´t get hit, move, toughen up, don´t annoy your pratice partner. Body shot only is very limited. I think you guys just do boxing ? Body shot only with kicks and knees would be more complex.

No I am training in an mma gym, 8-12 hours a week. Hence talking about "replacement" for mma gym sessions.

Yes I run and do light S&C at home. I make the most of what I have, hence I want to make the most of training by putting thought into it.

 

[DoctorTaco]

No I am training in an mma gym, 8-12 hours a week. Hence talking about "replacement" for mma gym sessions.

Yes I run and do light S&C at home. I make the most of what I have, hence I want to make the most of training by putting thought into it.

I wasn’t being sarcastic- add wrestling. One person boxes, one person wrestles. Or both can do either. Jabs and single leg sparring, mma clinch boxing, etc. get creative with it