How To Spar: A Guide

[kosherkickboxer]

wen i spar i go hard but im used 2 sparring people twice my size =P anyways the number 1 rule is i hit u as hard as u hit me and if u dont like it cry about it

[Nikorasu90]

Amazing guide, thank you very much! The etiquette part is great... Specially when everyone respects it =P.

[zaramav]

Agreed! I am in the same position however, I have begun sparring. One of my friends I joined with at the same time is the same height as me and at the same skill level which is great, but considering we're both beginners, we aren't advancing that well!

[Mike Johnson]

Great thread with some great advice. Something for me to meditate on before I go into my training today. Thanks!

[Vinz Clortho]

I must first tell you that you did a great job on this guide and that you have my respect as a martial artist. You hit on many points that every fighter should incorporate in their training.

"If you have the ability to back off or stop attacking on your own, then you are not utilizing the proper "fight focus" in your sparring."

I am not convinced about this claim, would you please expound on it for me? I have always thought that being self aware, especially while sparring or fighting, is very important. This includes knowing how much damage you are doing to you opponent, as knowing this will help you to expose their weakness in a professional/amateur/tournament fight. Having this self awareness should allow you to 'back off' even in more aggressive sparring situations (like training for a fight as you were talking about). I know that you must have the proper mindset while fighting, but I do not understand how being able to back off would put you at a disadvantage.

I think it is important to know that I have not fought professionally, so maybe that is why I am not understanding this. However, I have fought extensively for fun and in competition.

Thank you in advance for spending time on me.