10 Tips For Perfect Sparring

By: jaliam

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Looking for 10 tips for perfect sparring? To be a complete fighter in boxing, you must search for and participate in perfect sparring sessions. This is no easy task to undertake but if you have the patience and the prudish preparation for it, perfect sparring can certainly be realized. Here are some tips that will help you accomplish your goal in experiencing perfect sparring sessions.

  1. Focus on sparring. This is the most important element of your boxing training, thus it must be your main objective each time you prepare for a fight ... to get in the best shape of your life so you can participate in perfect sparring with your partners.
  2. Build your stamina. Before engaging in a sparring session, you must ensure that you did enough running and other stamina enhancing exercises to get you ready for a fight simulation. You do not want to run out of gas in just a couple of rounds.
  3. Learn to punch. It is easier to hit a stationary target than a moving one, so work on some heavy bag drills to develop your combinations. Once you master those deadly combos, then you can use them on your sparring partner.
  4. Work on your coordination. Playing basketball is a great method of developing hand-to-eye coordination. This is important if you want to stay away from your sparring partner's heavy bombs while dishing out your own. Basketball also tremendously improves your footwork.
  5. Choose your opponent wisely. Do not spar with heavier opponents that will surely give you troubles, to the point of knocking you out; neither get in the ring with smaller ones that won't give you any challenges at all. Choose a sparring partner that you are evenly match with and you will find your sessions more rewarding.
  6. Study your opponent. Knowing the techniques and style of your sparring partner will make it a lot easier for you to step in the ring and dominate. Sit down and watch your partner's movements as he trains and prepares for your sparring. Study his moves and develop counter strategies to assure advantages in the ring.
  7. Start with shorter sessions. Do not engage in excessive training at the start of your sparring sessions. Start with three or four rounds, then move on to the next level when you feel you're ready for it.
  8. Finish with longer sessions. As your stamina builds up, increase the number of rounds for your sparring sessions. The goal is to complete a twelve-round sparring session if you are scheduled to fight a twelve-round match, with plenty of energy to spare.
  9. Conquer your fear. If you can get in the ring with various sparring partners and come out feeling confident, then you have overcome your fear and you are ready for the real fight.
  10. Perfect sparring. This is achieved when both you and your sparring partners employ all the aforementioned elements of the game. It takes two to tango and certainly, you don't want to dance with a partner with two left-feet.

Never neglect the mental and physical benefits you will earn from your sparring sessions. Bring your knowledge and strength with you in the ring, and get ready to vanquish your foe in the opposite corner.
 

Posted on: Mar. 11, 2010