Dropping your head when sparring.

[Kyle59]

Does anyone else have this problem.
When ever i seem to try and move forward and striking to over power the opposition i always drop my head down and end up getting upcuts to the face, i think its because my body is trying to stop me from getting hit, but in my mind i dont care, hopefully this will just come with time and i will stop doing it, if it doesn't i'll have to strap a stick to my back and head lol.

[grappler-jordan]

This is a typical beginner "bad-habit". Really it's your instinct to avoid getting punched in the face, This is something that some people have a hard time breaking. Do some drills where you have your headgear on, and someone (with gloves) actually tries to hit you (Slowly at first and progressively faster with multiple angles) and you keep the range close and parry/block the punches. This will force you to keep your head up and overcome that habit. As you get progressively better at not doing this bad-habit, allow yourself to throw a single counter punch, then 2 counters until you feel natural with your head in proper position. Remember just because your Eyes are up and focused on your opponent does not mean your chin should not still be down. Guard up, elbows in, chin down, eyes on your opponent....

I had to work this one myself when I first started and I was one of those people who had a hard time breaking it... It'll come with time and practice... Good luck...

[WildWest.]

I got bashed around like this too in my early days. It comes from being under pressure and trying to avoid getting hit. Grappler-Jordan is right in that you must keep your eyes up, especially on your opponent and learn to bob and weave as a moving target is harder to hit.....yet keep your chin down.

Most people, when they start sparring, have this problem so don't feel like you are unique. It's just one of those learning curves.

[Tim McFatridge]

Hey Kyle another thing you might want to do that will help you keep your chin down when you punch is take a tennis ball and place it on your shoulder and hold it there using your chin. It is not that easy to do but it will teach you to tuck your chin behind your shoulder when you punch...which will make it harder for your opponent to land a knockout shot....also like Jordan said keep your hands up. Another drill you can do that is really good at getting you use to seeing punches come at you is: stand with your back against the wall hands up and have someone put some gloves on and throw punches at you. You are not allowed to punch back in the beginning. They should not throw any more than three punches at a time to start and not to fast. All you can do is cover, slip,parry and bob and weave. Then once you feel comfortable you can throw one punch back when you see or feel an opening, then two punches then three punches and so one. Then you make it alive by moving around always practicing your footwork. I hope this helps a little.

[grappler-jordan]

Originally Posted by Tim McFatridge

Another drill you can do that is really good at getting you use to seeing punches come at you is: stand with your back against the wall hands up and have someone put some gloves on and throw punches at you.

Good catch Tim, I forgot to tell him to stand against a wall, you want to avoid the ability to step back and way, you want to HAVE to parry, block or bob and weave to protect yourself. Then gradually progress through the drill... Good luck Kyle...

[EmptyneSs]

keep your eyes on your opponents chest area. dont look at his face. looking at his chest area will keep your chin down, still let you see incoming punches and shoulder movements, and it will let you see his legs/movements better.

[Garland]

yeah man, I was about to say; chin down, not face.

[OmaPlata]

Originally Posted by grappler-jordan

Good catch Tim, I forgot to tell him to stand against a wall, you want to avoid the ability to step back and way, you want to HAVE to parry, block or bob and weave to protect yourself. Then gradually progress through the drill... Good luck Kyle...

We would practice drills in BJJ where you roll forward a few times and a guy is waiting once you stand up to pummle you with gloves while you practice taking him down . this is as if you've been 'rocked' by punches, since you rolled forward a few times you are kinda dizzy, its a good drill

[grappler-jordan]

Originally Posted by OmaPlata

We would practice drills in BJJ where you roll forward a few times and a guy is waiting once you stand up to pummle you with gloves while you practice taking him down . this is as if you've been 'rocked' by punches, since you rolled forward a few times you are kinda dizzy, its a good drill

I like the sound of that drill, I think I am going to use that...

[Tim McFatridge]

Oma...I have done that drill...while it is a good drill I always heted doing it. After a while I would have that "dizzy" feeling the entire time. Always felt like I had motion sickness. Good drill though.