Jun 13 2007
Preparing For Your First Sparring in Boxing
Some trainers just want to throw you into sparring and have you learn the hard way. But I’m going to give you the Cliff Notes on the initial rounds of sparring.
When you first start training you feel really clumsy, you look awkward and as training sessions wear on, your strikes quickly become inept due to fatigue. But once you get passed this, you start to think, “Hey, I look pretty good in mirror.” You start to think you’re becoming a real boxer. Maybe you even start to size up other guys in the gym that you might spar in the future.
You’re also going to work on things in preparation for sparring, like attempting to gauge your power on the bag/mitts, working on slips, etc. Well, here is what you should be working on:
80/20 Rule
A little boxing theory:
- 80% of offense is your lead hand, 20% is your read hand.
- The best defense is a good offense
- “Boxing is easy — if you know how to jab.” - George Foreman
Notice a pattern here? If you said work on your jab and lead hand, you are correct. Beginners like to feel the power of hooks on the bag. But if all you did was perfect your jab, you’d be far better than the guy that’s focusing on hooks, crosses and uppercuts.
How about spending 80% of your training efforts on jabbing?
Hands Up, Elbows In, Rapidly Bring Punches Straight Back
Even if you hold your hands up in training, under the pressure of sparring you will probably drop them here and there. If you train with them down, your first few rounds of sparring will hurt.
Besides keeping your hands up, keep your elbows in and guard tight in practice. Trying to pick your shots against good boxers requires some work. But beginner stances/guards often present a huge number of options for landing punches.
When you train throwing a punch, snap it back as fast as you threw it. And bring it back on the same path, don’t drop it. If you find you’re eating lots of right hands after you jab, this is probably your mistake.
Personally I would recommend avoiding guards, like the Philly Shell, that keep one hand low. Or at least avoid this type of stance until you’ve developed some defensive proficiency.
Punch & Move
Beginners usually stand still when throwing punches. Boxing is probably more about moving between punches and during punches than it is about punching.
For orthodox boxers (right handers) circling to your right and punching is harder than to your left. The reverse is true of unorthodox (lefty) boxers. Practice circling both ways, but especially to your right. Then spend your initial time in sparring circling away from your opponents power. If you think circling away from the power is for wimps, go watch the Barrera/Prince Hamed fight.
Find your range. When you punch the bag or mitts extend your lead arm straight out. If you can reach your target you’re in range. Don’t stand in range unless you’re punching. Or at least ensure you’re moving your head when in range. When training don’t get in the habit of standing in range and doing nothing.
Forget Power
Beginners have no business working on punch power or even thinking about it. When you spar for the first time it will probably be against a better boxer. If you do spar a skilled boxer you will likely have difficulty landing even a clean jab. You probably won’t land a stiff jab, let alone a power punch. For now, train to maintain balance and work on crisp fast punches.
Good luck.
