2nd day Sparring- omg, I'm a little girl

[bigfatphingers]

Hey All,
Started sparring, and realize exactly how much I suck at MT!! I gotta LONG way to go- sparring is frikken hard, dude!These Thai guys make it look so easy, and I thought I was getting pretty good, kicking pads and all! lol- anyway, I was wondering if everyone- when they first started- did pathetic reflexive things like repeatedly drop their guard to block a mid level kick, or kicked their trainer too hard? I feel like a bloody six year old girl in there! <edited> My kicks are also pretty slow, so I find I am always trying to get close enough to start punching, but then I dont know how hard I am supposed to be hitting the guys... and how do you practice knees without maiming someone...lol- last thing I wanna do is piss them off.

Any suggestions on what to concentrate on at first? Also, I last about two rounds and am pretty much ready to puke after that- does the endurance generally build up quite quickly if you are training a couple hours most days? Anyhow- would love to hear if anyone else had little girl syndrome when they first started. I guess it could be worse- I could be curling up in a little ball and crying for me mummy...

[TheMachine]

Just enjoy training and keep working at it. You'll eventually develop better technique and instinct.

[Robz400]

You'll get a feel for how hard to hit when sparring, often depends on your partner, theres a couple of guys at my gym who when we sparr we hit pretty hard.

Also if you go to heavy on your trainer he'll soon let you know by stepping up the pace and showing you how easy your are to hit! This will naturally slow you down as you'll concentrate more on avoidence etc than all out attack.

As for the reflexes these will go after a while, they are you own natural defence mechanisms, which don't allow for combiations! eg you drop your hands to block a kick and get hit with a right cross, you'll quickly adapt your defences, especially with the amount of training your doing.

[Infrazael]

Don't worry. I've been fighting for about 6 months now and I still suck balls, at least compared to some of the hardercore guys (like you Thai boxers).

It'll come in time. And if you're buddies don't forgive you for silly mistakes, then they're not great training partners.

Remember to keep your cool, and press the advantage once an opening presents itself.

[Robz400]

"It'll come in time. And if you're buddies don't forgive you for silly mistakes, then they're not great training partners."

I agree to an extent, its no fun being battered by someone much better than you, but you learn a lot quicker if your weaknesses are exposed.

[sean]

Welcome to Muay Thai. It`s a big slap in the face isn`t it? Sparring is when you make it or brake it.

Firstly; Everyone feels useless when first sparring, you feel rigid, like you have to contemplate each punch and kick. It feels sloppy and not at all how you would think it should be. This goes relatively quickely when you spar regularly, you start to realise your advantages/disadvantages and just generally feel more dynamic. Things like dropping guard and blocking kicks with your hands go eventually aswell.

Normally when I spar we will agree roughly on how hard to go at it, but if it`s not like that, say you don`t really know the guy/gal or they or you don`t talk much when training then just go easy, a kick can hurt a bit and the same with punches, but it should never make you stop and think 'damn what a git', this just ends in you punch me, i punch you back.

Ask for advice, really try and take notice of hints/tips from other people no matter how big/small.

I`d say the main thing to do at first is slow it all down, you need time to get the idea of how an opponent will move, what to look for (openings ect.) and to enable you to link what your doing (whilst keeping technique) without flapping like a windmill.

When you feel agression coming into it, from you or the other person, say you accidentally slip a punch to hard, and you know damn well that they might be annoyed, just step back and ask if they are ok (keep your guard up just incase) theres no point in having a headache all day tomorrow for the sake of a over heated sparring session the night before.

Good Luck

[bigfatphingers]

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice! I will definately keep it up- this is a great sport, and so much more complex than I ever would have imagined. So much to learn.

[Blake_AE]

Originally Posted by bigfatphingers

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice! I will definately keep it up- this is a great sport, and so much more complex than I ever would have imagined. So much to learn.

True... and this is relatively one of the simplest martial arts to learn. Imagine trying to apply this sort of practice, application and perfection to something that takes years and years just to learn the techniques.

Have fun!

[philliphall]

All I can say is just keep at it. Personally I found it hard at first but everything just seemed to come together all at once. Nothing can beat experience. As for going in to heavy on more experienced guys I think what ever level you decide to go at you will get the same back so you will quickly learn how you want to pitch it.

[slipthejab]

Keep at it. If you hang in there you will improve. The hardest thing to do that will help the most is to learn how to relax. Just chill. Hard to do though while someone in chopping you off at the knee's.

The biggest thing that will pop up when you first start sparring is how crap your defense is and how crap you anaerobic endurance is. Once your lungs go and you start to gas - girlscouts could knock you out. So get your lungs. Without them all the power and technique in the world mean jack squat.

Your trainer should be telling you guys how hard to go. 25% of full power. 50%... ask him.

A few other things. Don't apologize for putting the hurt on someone. If they step in the ring they're fair game for a bit 'o the hurt. And as always... it's punches in bunches. Single punches don't cut it. Punches and kicks in bunches are even better.

What else?

Keep moving. A bobbing and weaving target is a hard target to hit.

When in doubt move out of range or close the distance and tie your opponent up with a clinch.

Keep your chin down and eyes on your opponent. Don't look at the floor. Never ever.

Have fun. You'll get it.

[sean]

This is by no means trying to hijack the thread, but;

Originally Posted by Blake_AE

this is relatively one of the simplest martial arts to learn. Imagine trying to apply this sort of practice, application and perfection to something that takes years and years just to learn the techniques.

I may of misunderstood what you mean but you are saying Muay Thai is 'a relativley easy' Martial Art? This is a HUGE understatement, do you actually believe in what you said?

And name me an art that takes 'years and years just to learn the techniques'? ALL OF THEM! Muay Thai takes years to perfect, and it`s constantly changing.

Sheeesh

[slipthejab]

Originally Posted by Blake_AE

True... and this is relatively one of the simplest martial arts to learn. Imagine trying to apply this sort of practice, application and perfection to something that takes years and years just to learn the techniques.

Have fun!

hunh what?!

This kind of tripe appears every so often on MAP.

Clarification please.
Or risk going down in flames.

[Noi]

I understand where Blake is coming from I think... I believe he means it's like 'Othello', seconds to learn, a lifetime to master... or something like that.

Muay Thai is relatively simple in theory . Jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts pretty much comprise the fundamental punching tool kit. Of course there are many variations, but these are the core. Round kicks and foot jabs form the core of kicking, and straight and round cover knees. Throw in basic elbow strikes, and you can teach the fundamental techniques for Muay Thai... which is a relatively low number. As I mentioned, there are countless variations and lesser techniques of the core set.

Now, that being said, this is only covering the technical aspect. Timing, power, rhythm, heart, etc, etc, etc are all very much a part of the big picture and arguably even MORE important than the technical aspect. I would much rather coach a fighter with the heart of a lion and an uncanny knack for timing who has two left feet than a technical wizard who strikes at all the wrong times and has a glass jaw...

Everyday I train/teach I learn something new about Muay Thai... is it easy, of course not, but "on paper" it may seem that way.

[mai tai]

big fat.

if you feel like a dork the first time out....join the club everyone did.

all great fighters have one thing in common....they all walked into a gym ...got their butts handed to them....and came back the next day.

[bigfatphingers]

Originally Posted by slipthejab

Once your lungs go and you start to gas - girlscouts could knock you out. So get your lungs. Without them all the power and technique in the world mean jack squat.

Isn't this the truth! It is my biggest problem for sure (not to say there aren't others). Today I was outta gas after the first round of sparring (did 15 minutes on the bike and 3 rounds of shadow boxing first)! It was seriously bad- hands shaking and all that. I did intervals and some light weights this morning- obviously not eating enough combined with too much training! Problem is I want to lose weight too- so I am trying to find a good balance, enough food to have energy to train, but still lose the chub. Between this, my bent toe, and my bruised shins I am going to leave Thailand a HUGE mess... MT for health...