Sparring issues kickboxing

[glendale]

I stared to do some light sparring. I'm right handed. Thankfully I train at a great gym and they don't beat the crap out of me as a result of my mistakes since I'm new. Sparring definitely highlights issues real quick.

I know my issues with kicking are related to me not pushing my kick leg back after I make contact thus I come straight down which leaves me right in front of my opponent in a southpaw stance. Same with when I miss a kick, I don't swing all the away around which leaves me open. I can work on this as I understand the solution.

The other problem is when I get overwhelmed I have a tendency to just move straight back and then when I get really overwhelmed I turn. Not good. I know I need to move to the right or left but I think my timing of when I should move is off so my opponent comes at me they're shifting side to side as I start to move left or right which sets me up to move straight back which also sets me up to left's right's and kicks. I'm not very tall at 5'8'' and the one guy is 6'3" with 6 inches on reach and he really could light me up thankfully he doesn't. I start to move left or right as they're coming onto me. Should I want until they throw a punch/get closer before I slip/pivot/move left? Probably should be trying to land a shot as move to.

 

[NHB7]

Lots of sparring will fix those flaws naturally. Almost everyone does the run backwards mistake at first and even the turn away mistake.

I got past that natural reflex by throwing back. When your overwhelmed your brain is like, "Cover up!!! Get away!!" But instead, throw a hard shot back as you circle away. If you get yourself to start reflexing in that way, then you won't be moving backward. Then it's a fairly natural step to circle out with or without a punch. But I still punch nearly everytime because the success rate is huge.

Your opponent knows when he has you overwhelmed and so often they become so offense focused that they lax their defense. So often when they are confidently unloading on you is the perfect time to land a hard shot.

 

[UWanaPlayDaGame]

it's light sparring isn't it? getting outboxed then throwing a hard counter is not a good idea IMO.

TS you sound like you sparred once or twice. just relax and you'll grow out of this. I think everybody goes straight back when they're starting out. practice pivoting to your left while throwing a left hook.

 

[AndyMaBobs]

I think you may be misunderstanding how you pivot away from trouble, you really need to take an angle before you pivot, if you just pivot on the spot you're just going to get your leg tangled with his as he comes forward. Take a step forwards towards him but out on an angle, not a huge step, just enough so that when you pivot you'll be out and to your opponents side.

Retreating back on a line will only get your with your back against the wall, cage or ropes, so you need to be bold and make that step and pivot.

It is scary at first because you're trying to move away from him by moving towards him, but just look at it this way, if you get hit, you get hit, everyone gets hit, it's just part of life in the gym.

It sounds like you really want to get a decent jab going while retreating though, something to make your opponent think twice about coming in, I find it helps if I throw jabs and punching combinations after bringing my leg back from a kick, to stop opponents from advancing in, also bending your arm with your elbow pointing towards the opponent, Conor McGregor does it a lot and so do a lot of Thai fighters, because that elbow jutting out makes your opponent think twice about running in, due to the risk of running into an elbow.

It sounds like you're new, so just think about those little simple things and don't get too bogged down with technique, just focus on a few small things to get you through the sparring session, and learn to love getting your arse kicked, because it's a learning experience. With more sparring you'll sort of learn for yourself what works and what doesn't.

 

[freaky]

When you circle out you should stick your lead hand out. By extending your arm it prevents them from moving in on you. If they still come in, then jab them as you move away. Also you can try to push kick them away before circling out. By sticking your lead hand out it ensures that you are in your correct stance afterwards.

Personally, I stick my same side hand out as the same side I'm circling. If I go left, I extend my left arm. If I go right, I extend my right. But I can fight with both stance. The advantage of this is that I keep my opponent in front of me always and if they don't turn in time, I get the angle to blast them. Another thing is, let's say you're circling right and you extend your left arm. You might be giving your back up to them.

For now as a newbie, I would practice sticking out my lead arm to prevent exposing or turning your back to them. As you get better or when you learn southpaw, you can try it my way. But most people never bother with southpaw. I try to keep my southpaw up to par with my orthodox.

You will feel a HUGE difference just by extending your arm out. Make sure to aim your fist at their face. It scares most people away. It also blinds them for your right if they ever choose to chase you. You don't even need to jab them especially if they are taller. Just use the jab to blind them for your straight right. Then keep circling and blasting them with kicks and what not.

Another thing you can try is to fake one side then blast off on the other side.

 

[VitorReem]

Yeh like others have said just more sparring will make you much better at dealing with those situations. Don't underestimate the power of a good clean jab to keep people off of you, and since you're shorter don't be afraid to let the taller guys get in close on you and give them some hell to the body. They should be punished for getting into your range.

 

[Pope Leo VII]

stay in south paw