Putting it all together

[Amnion]

I've done martial arts for about 8 years now and up until about 3 years ago I had always wanted to learn how to box. I surrounded myself with a lot of people who knew how to box and they boxed pretty well--well enough to teach me the fundamentals--and I started to get pretty good. Well, I'm really good at doing the punches--hitting the bags, focus pads, footwork, speed, etc. But I can't spar to save my life. If you saw me hitting the pads/bags you'd think I was really worth a damn as a boxer. I'm not trying to give myself more credit than I deserve, but I know I can move pretty well. I even understand it well enough that I've been able to teach others and I've had guys turn out a hell of a lot better than I ever was. I just can't seem to apply the skills right against an actual person. Something's missing. Any advice?

[MerKaBa]

He he, the only advice I can think of is to spar more, and get a good trainer to point out your mistakes.

[tekkengod]

this helped me when i was still afraid of HARD contact. do foucus mit training with a bud who is in FULL safety gear. {chest guard, face shield, headgear, and gloves} {so you can actually hit him} and practice positioning, and look for openings and his flaws of attack and you'll see yourself identifying your own much easier. 20 mins of you on offense {only attacking}
and 20 mins of you only defending then 10 of sparring. i'm sure you've heard something similar to this, but it helped me to think on my feet without the same contact as sparring, just the same aspects. and most definetly have someone {a trainer} critique you and work with you.

[Mushroom]

^^^

Pretty much what he says mate. Keep on sparring, take your hits to the face and hit back.

[shootodog]

i have a cutting edge, fresh, original, groudbreaking idea:

spar some more.

you'll get the hang of it.

oh wait, they all said it. dang!

[alex_000]

Ignore all people and their advices before me.

I have the solution , you need to spar more.


but seriously i think you need to elaborate on this part a bit.

I even understand it well enough that I've been able to teach others and I've had guys turn out a hell of a lot better than I ever was.

You taught others that turned out to be better than you (when sparring) , how much do you spar exactly ?

The problem with pads and heavy bags is that although they are very good for working out your power, rhythm and footwork there is one important element missing when training with those stuff. That’s timing.

Knowing when to punch and how to hit a moving target is all about timing. The most effective method to train in timing is sparring. Your opponent will not just stand there unlike the heavy bag , and will move towards, away, left and right of you unlike the pads.

[Yukimushu]

I've done martial arts for about 8 years now and up until about 3 years ago I had always wanted to learn how to box. I surrounded myself with a lot of people who knew how to box and they boxed pretty well--well enough to teach me the fundamentals--and I started to get pretty good. Well, I'm really good at doing the punches--hitting the bags, focus pads, footwork, speed, etc. But I can't spar to save my life. If you saw me hitting the pads/bags you'd think I was really worth a damn as a boxer. I'm not trying to give myself more credit than I deserve, but I know I can move pretty well. I even understand it well enough that I've been able to teach others and I've had guys turn out a hell of a lot better than I ever was. I just can't seem to apply the skills right against an actual person. Something's missing. Any advice?

Best thing i would recommend is to start off light and frequent with the sparring. Light enough that your not worried about taking a heavy hit.

[Amnion]

I guess that's true. All the times I've sparred were just me and friends going at it without a plan, really, and the times I had my coach there we were always working on just one aspect at a time really. Like "keep your hands up", etc. Little things with him. And now I've moved and the only guys I can box are dudes at work, who really don't know how. They just brawl, so it's harder to make progress, but I still make a little. Thanks guys, I don't know why I never thought of that--pacing the sparring out progressively.

[Timmy Boy]

I guess that's true. All the times I've sparred were just me and friends going at it without a plan, really, and the times I had my coach there we were always working on just one aspect at a time really. Like "keep your hands up", etc. Little things with him. And now I've moved and the only guys I can box are dudes at work, who really don't know how. They just brawl, so it's harder to make progress, but I still make a little. Thanks guys, I don't know why I never thought of that--pacing the sparring out progressively.

Well try it and let us know how you get on. :)

[MerKaBa]

I guess that's true. All the times I've sparred were just me and friends going at it without a plan, really, and the times I had my coach there we were always working on just one aspect at a time really. Like "keep your hands up", etc. Little things with him. And now I've moved and the only guys I can box are dudes at work, who really don't know how. They just brawl, so it's harder to make progress, but I still make a little. Thanks guys, I don't know why I never thought of that--pacing the sparring out progressively.



I think you should go to a certified Boxing Gym. You'd be amazed how much better you get in a few months of real training and sparring ;)

Boxing your friends in the backyard can be fun, but if you are unexperienced you will surely develope bad habits and become nothing more then a good brawler...


BTW when you get good at sparring guys that really know how to box in the ring you won't believe how sloppy and easy to beat your brawler friends will seem :)

[Yukimushu]

I think you should go to a certified Boxing Gym. You'd be amazed how much better you get in a few months of real training and sparring ;)


Definatly :) Actually training at a certified boxing gym will certianally make you a better boxer. You've got to have consistency over time.