November Updates
December 4, 2024
Here at HTA our mission is to help you achieve and reach your goals. In a controlled and ego free environment, we welcome you to our advanced classes if you’re ready, read on so that we can all enjoy the classes and so you can actually become a better fighter and not someone who’s just swinging left and right.
The uncertainty of throwing punches and dodging blows can be overwhelming. But this is what separates the casual gym-goer from the determined amateur/professional fighter. If you don’t master sparring techniques sustainably, you’ll never reach this level of proficiency in whatever martial art you practice.
Spar training isn’t easy, folks.
But it’s purposeful.
It is a deliberate process of applying offensive and defensive tactics within the cage.
It requires focus, agility, and timing. And most of all, keeeping your ego checked outside.
A good sparring session allows you to hone your skills and strategies in a controlled environment.
First, find an HTA instructor and then ask him or her when you’re ready. Then, ask yourself if you’re ready. If you haven’t been participating in class at least two times a week for 3 months, you should probably put in more reps before stepping in to spar. In fact, if an HTA instructor doesn’t give you the green light, then you’re not sparring.
Respect is firmly ingrained in our culture, we have a strict no bullying rule and we enforce it. This starts at the top, to the instructors and trickles down to the students and fighters. If you have attitude and ego, turn around and come back when you’re ready.
It’s important to always respect your sparring partner. Remember, you’re both in the ring to learn and improve, not to harm each other. We are all on the same team, and we want everyone at HTA to become better, but not at the cost of hurting someone.
Always use control when throwing punches and avoid aiming for the head in a sparring session.
Acknowledge your partner’s good moves, and always listen to their feedback.
Avoid unnecessary aggression and keep your ego at bay. No one likes a show-off in the ring. You may be asked to leave, or you’ll find yourself with no one to spar if you keep it up.
Start slow, at a shadow boxing-type pace. Find your rhythm and learn to take hits with progression.
With time, you’ll see improvement. Remember that progress might be slow, but it’s worth it.
Enjoy the process. Sparring is one of the most fun parts of Muay Thai. Make the most out of each session.
How hard are you going to go? Discuss what is off limits. For instance, “Let’s only work jabs,” or, “Only work body shots.” Don’t be afraid to stop or speak up if your sparring partner isn’t playing fair. Sparring isn’t a fight – it’s practice. It’s work and you’re both trying to help each other get better, not prove who’s tougher.
For full-contact sparring, always wear headgear, shin guards, and a mouthpiece. Always. For boxing and Muay Thai, we prefer you use 16-ounce gloves (which provide more padding than lighter gloves) as well as shin guards for kicking. And, guys, it’s probably not a bad idea to wear a cup. It only takes one low blow to make it a pretty bad day.
The hardest physical skill to master is to stay relaxed in a fight. Your biggest opponent will always be yourself, your own fear, and your own tension. On the surface, sparring is about bettering your proficiency in a particular fighting discipline. Behind the striking and grappling though are life lessons in facing fear and being willing to face yourself. Finding your inner peace during a physical battle is a transcending lesson that isn’t an easy one to learn. It starts with the ability to relax.
When sparring, especially as beginner, it’s always good to have a goal in mind when starting to spar. Having a goal such as checking kicks, using your uppercut, or keeping your hands up is a great way to increase your level of skill. It keeps you focused and helps shut out some of the stress of dealing with an opponent. Talk to your coach and ask what you need to work on while practicing. Then once the sparring session is over, talk to your coach again and see what mistakes you made and how you could correct them next time. As a coach I love it when a student asks me questions after class, It shows that the student really cares abut improving and keeps us coaches motivated to teach you how to be more awesome.
The final piece of the puzzle is reflection and analysis.
You’ll want to ensure that you review your performance, identify areas of improvement, and make necessary adjustments in your strategy.
Feedback from your sparring partner and instructor can provide invaluable insights.
Self-reflection also allows you to assess your mental toughness.
Did you keep your cool under pressure? Or did your ego take over?
Did you stick to your strategy or resort to sloppy tactics when things got tough?
Use these questions as a guide for self-improvement.
Real growth comes from understanding and learning from your mistakes. Always seek to improve and perfect your craft.
This isn’t about pride or ego, this is a learning experience, not a full fight. No one is looking to get hurt before their actual ranked fight starts, this is preparation to the real thing for some people. It’s not fun to get injured and dropping your upcoming fight because you were too proud in class.
Closing your eyes or looking away during sparring can be a costly error. It leaves you vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks and significantly reduces your reaction time. The key is to stay focused and keep your eyes on the opponent at all times.
Overcommitting to punches can leave you off balance and exposed to counterattacks. Make sure you maintain your balance and are ready to defend or counter after throwing a punch.
Going too hard and too fast, exhausting yourself. Remember, sparring is not about knocking out your opponent; it’s about learning and improving.
Focusing on offense is a key giveaway you’re a beginner. Don’t focus on landing punches and neglecting your defense. A solid defense is just as critical as a robust offense.
As you progress in your skills, you may even find that defense is more fun than offense as making your opponent miss can be extremely satisfying.
Holding your breath when you punch can lead to quicker exhaustion. Practice controlled, timed breathing.
The move called a jab is a fundamental punch. Ignoring it can make your attack predictable and less effective. This quick, straight punch serves as a range finder and setup for powerful combinations. Don’t undermine it.
Footwork isn’t as flashy as punches, but it’s the foundation of good boxing. Good footwork maintains balance, aids defense, and sets up attacks.
Dropping your hands after punching is a common mistake that leaves you open to counterattacks. Always quickly return your hands to your defensive position after punching.
This habit not only shields you from potential attacks but also prepares you for the next offensive move.
Turning away from your opponent, although instinctive, is one of the most dangerous things you can do in sparring. This exposes your back and sides to powerful punches. Always keep your guard up and face your opponent head-on.
I know that this is a lot to drop on a beginner, and you most likely won’t remember to do all of these mistakes.
But it is good to have this at the back of your mind, and as you spar and reflect, you’ll be able to identify these mistakes and train to not do them.
