Sparring

[kravjeff]

OK – Here’s the thing …

I think I’m progressing well in both Krav, and fight class. However, when it comes to sparring I feel sloppy. Technique seems to largely go out the window (for both myself and most of my partners) and it’s almost like a barfight where fists are flyin’ and we’re hitting mostly gloves, with an occasional lucky shot; like we’re going solely on instinct (though not the \”krav way\”) and have no technique. Interestingly, I feel like I do much better (have cleaner technique) when I go against a better partner – I think that some of my best work (while that’s not saying much) has been against my instructors. I feel more relaxed (maybe because I know they have better control), which helps tremendously. Can I blame it on \”lesser\” opponents? 😉

So, I have a couple of questions.

What do you think about when you spar?

Are you concentrating on making defenses and looking for openings or just relying on your training to make your hands and feet \”do the right thing?\”

Do you consciously think about combinations (OK – He drops his right when he kicks to the leg, I think I’ll try a number 4) ???

I love sparring, but when I leave feeling like I didn’t perform it drives me nuts until I can get back out there (OK – I’m a bit competitive and maybe a bit hard on myself) !!!

Thanks for your input!

KJ

[dkst]

The thing I have noticed when I spar is I think too much. Shit I missed that opening, why did I drop my guard, etc. I get the same feeling leaving class, some times I just don’t like sparring because I take a beating. How ever, I really think that is what sparring is about. You are learning, in a street fight, you aren’t going to be thinking about these things, they will come natural. How would you ever learn that you drop your guard when you kick, except for in sparring. Some times I go in thinking about one move, say kick to the liver when my partner leaves it open. Knowing I’m going to get hit, but learning when that type of move will be open is more important.

Here is what keeps me motiviated from all the ass kicking I get. You are fighting people that train in KM. If you get one or two good kicks and punches in, if you get them into knees or take them down, you have done that against a trained fighter, no matter what level. In a street fight, you will have an advantage (most of the time).

I don’t know about you, but the first couple of sparring classes I felt lost, almost like I couldn’t do anything I had been training. Now, while I still suck, I’m moving more, I’m landing more kicks and punches, I’m able to take a punch or kick better. Just by you noticing these things tells me you are improving, you are to hard on yourself.

[dkst]

One more thing, might be moving out to the Ft. Collins area. Do you know of any good schools that are close?

[g-v]

I guess those feelings are universal, boys. My main problem is gas in the tank. When I’m fresh, I feel confident and do ok. But, as the hour progresses, I routinely drop my guard, too weak to mount a good attack…really get discouraged.

[dkst]

We did a drill:

Left Jab for 20 seconds, run to end of room do 10 pushups
Left hook for 20 seconds, run to end of room do 15 pushups
Left uppper cut 20 seconds, 20 pushups
right cross, 25 pushups
right hook, 30 pushups
right upper cut, 35 pushups

Not one person in the room could do all the pushups. By the way, that was the start of class. When you spar, if you aren’t wiped out you’re not trying. It is when you are tired, can’t breathe, that a true warrior shows what he is all about. Most fights aren’t going that long, but your advantage is knowing if it does you can push through it (what if there is more then one person you have to fight). It is not about winning your little 30 second or mintue sparring session, it is about being able to fight when you got nothing in the tank. Fighting fresh is easy, it is how you fight wiped out that is the true test.

Everyone drops their guard when they are tired, like I said before, knowing that is half the battle. Don’t get discouraged, be pumped you realize your mistakes and improve on them. Hell, my last round a couple weeks ago was basically defense because I couldn’t move my left arm. I know I can survive playing defense until there is an opening for a take down.

The upper level test end with sparring, but they bring in fresh fighters.

[taikei]

I had problems during spar where I was irritated by opponent’s kicks and punches and mine not hitting anything.

Once my instructor dimmed the light during a fight. Wearing a head gear covering both cheeks with very bad peripheral vision (usually front kick low round kick are out of my vision), added by darkness was a total blackout. I gave up winning over opponent and started concentrating on basic combinations and focus on fewer objectives.
Actually this turned out to be my best spar I’ve done up to that point. Every attack I did prior to this were never combinations, nothing that I’ve done on focus mitt were utilized.

Could be a good idea to limit or change objectives depending situations. Having lot to do in 3 minutes is too much. If 3 spars then set 3 different objectives.

[vicious]

do yourself a favor and pick a specific goal for the night… i want to hit them with my \”x\”… instead of trying to do \”too much,\” if your feeling overwelmed start smaller…

when i first started all i worked on was a simultaneous counter jab with my right inside defense… after a while i started picking off soooo many jabs because i ingrained into my muscle memory the movement. SO then i truely didn’t have to think about that \”defense and counter.\” I would just react.

Now that would only 1 thing i would be truely reacting to. So i worked on another… then another… then another…

i feel very comfortable sparring… i don’t mind getting hit, i treat it like a game of tag… where i get to kick the other guy in the groin lol

[lazlo]

The key to becoming a good \”sparer\” is to spar often and well. \”Perfect practice makes perfect.\” If you spar once a week, then you will not get as comfortable as you would like to be or could be.
There are many ways to improve:
-Do it a lot.
-Keep your hands up, even when you are tired.
-Control pain. Don’t show the othe guy/gal that he/she has injured you.
-Keep your chin down.
-Combos(2 is the minimum) or else it is just a stand-off. The first may not get in, but I bet you the fourth will.
-You can not hold these two thoughts in your head at the same time: attack and defend, so decide what it will be and commit to one and go, go, go.
-Move your head.
-Don’t be a head hunter on every single dingle shot.
-Work on your cardio. The better cardio-ed guy will often take the day.
-Move. Move forward. Move sideways.
-Work up and down the body.
-Don’t go toe-to-toe with a tank.
-Work technique with a small guy. Don’t just a beat him up. How’s that help?
-Agree with your partner how hard you will go? If he raises the ante, then raise it to or call him on it.
-Pick ONE and ONLY one technique to work that day regardless or how poorly or well or what any one says. Tell your instructor in advance.
-Fight southpaw the entire time. It does hurt for righties.
-Be confident in your gear: headgear(if you wear it), gloves/wraps, shin guards, CUP, mouth piece. Take care of your gear….and your gear will take care of you
-Don’t get angry, control your emotions grasshopper. Get hits in. You get angry because you are being humiliated in front of everyone, not because it hurts(usually). You get angry and then you can’t control your technique.
-Don’t do hit for hit unless there is an opening. Just ’cause he hit your inner thigh, doesn’t mean you should hit his inner thigh(unless it’s open). I see this every time.
-Don’t look where you are going to hit or kick. Focus on his solarplexus or face.
-Don’t telegraph by lifting your head before a kick or a punch.
-A strong \”flinch\” before an actual punch will often freeze your oppornent. You must then go, go, go.
Lastly, cut your nails, brush your teeth, shower, wear clean workout clothes, and don’t stink when you spar. Le pew? Moi?

[vt-hokie]

Lazlo, I think that’s one of the best posts I’ve seen in a long time ………

Some real good points in there.

Dave

[kravjeff]

EXCELLENT!!!

I really appreciate everyone’s input and look forward to more (and to sparring next time!!!)!

DKST: Ft. Collins isn’t too far from where I train (Broomfield, CO). James Hiromasa (lead instructor) has been touted as one of the best instructors in the country and John (Whitman) has said in another post that he is one of the few black belts in the country; I’m proud to be under his expert tutelage and to call him a friend. His wife Shannon is also incredible, and there are other great instructors at our school as well. Here’s the website:

http://www.coloradokravmaga.com

Hope to see you there!

[krav4life]

<—– 1st post.

I’ve lurked here for a little and figured I’d let you know that the Boulder facility is pretty good also. It’s smaller than broomfield, however, when you register you get access to both facilities. I have my fight class in broomfield. The Krav Maga and conditioning classes in Boulder are great though. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[kravjeff]

\”… I’d let you know that the Boulder facility is pretty good also. It’s smaller than broomfield, however, when you register you get access to both facilities. I have my fight class in broomfield. The Krav Maga and conditioning classes in Boulder are great though.\”

Agree – The schools are affiliated, and I believe share instructors though I’ve never trained at the Boulder location.

Thanks Krav4

DKST – Feel free to contact me directly as well

[kravmdjeff]

I would say that sparring is something that’s very intuitive. Thinking on a high degree is great before AND after the fight, but not during. Go into a fight with a simple plan (I’m going to draw his hands down and then try to punch high, or I’m going to put a kick after every punch combo). Stick to that plan, and then just relax and do your best. Lots of newer people fail not because they drop their hands, but because they freak out about dropping their hands.

[anonymous]

I agree, having one or two things to work on is better than too many. Also, do most (or all) of your thinking AFTER the sparring session. Think about what you did right, what went wrong, what you could have done better. Usually, right after class, your memory is still fresh and now that you are sitting on a bench instead of getting hit, you’ll have some quiet time to think about your mistakes. You can then make plans for the next sparring session and decide on how you will rectify those mistakes.

Sparring with advanced teachers is awesome. They’ll know how to make it tough, but don’t just overwhelm you with punches, so you can really learn and get inspired. If you have a chance to do that, go for it whenever possible.

[psyops]

Love the subject got get in it.

The whole idea of sparring after a test is ridiculous. It is merely a measurement of an individuals cardio endurance. It is also \”target practice\” for the fresh fighter. The \”macho factor\” is evident and well noted. But to suggest that carrying on in that manner is somehow going to make you a better fighter is stupid! If I am that exhausted in a fight. I will pick something up off the ground and use it. Also since during these sessions neither party is punching at 100% capacity, how realistic is the sparring? Perhaps you would not still be vertical if you were actually hit hard by the fresh individual. Perhaps the fresh individual would end up on his back in that situation if all parties were hitting @ 100%. So this is not \”real\”. It is a great conditioning drill but thats about it.

Sparring for most of us is going to appear sloppy. Truthfully speaking street fights are sloppy and so in that regard the sparring is real. I believe that each person should spend time practicing what they are good at. These techniques, entrances, defenses, feints and combinations are more than likely what you will use in a real altercation. So work on those things. I believe that in order to truly understand your willingness to engage you have to spar @90%. You don’t know dick until you get popped in the mouth and your head rings and you are a little woozy. Then you will understand. Until you’ve done this you are just playing around and working on conditioning. So this is the \”tae-bo\” reference that is often linked to Krav Maga. Cardio endurance means nothing if you get your ass handed to you. Conversely power means nothing if you don’t have the willingness and ability to put yourself in harms way in order to land.

So cardio and power are important. They are not mutually exclusive. The challenge here is the false sense of security that many Kravists and MA practitioners gain from sparring. We get hit and it does not hurt us and we believe that in the street those same strikes would have a simillar effect. Of course this is false. Also you will see big guys chasing little guys around and little guys going toe to toe with big guys. These things are usually not duplicated in the street. So sparring should be done with reality in mind!

[Author]

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