Need advice on sparring problem

[teletiger7]

When you guys spar do you go really hard? I have been getting injuries lately at my gym since some people sparr as if they are in a smoker. I tryt to tell them to lgihten up a little, but seems like they don't understand that not everyone wants to spar that way. There was one time i forgot my mouthpiece and i told the guy i didn't have it. First thing he does is aim straight for my face!!!! I compared notes with others at the school and it seems thats theres a few guys who just don't know how to spar with control. Maybe it's an ego thing i don't know. anyways, it's becoming a PITA since i wanna work on my technique and not always feel like brawling with someone. Any advice????? Thanks in advance

[Khun Kao]

Advice? Your coach needs to step in and discipline these guys.

Here's the scoop... MuayThai sparring is a disaster waiting to happen, what with all the punches, knees, and kicks. Its real easy to get banged up! Especially since EVERYONE'S favorite tactic is kicking the leg!

MuayThai sparring in Thailand is very rarely full contact. They either put on all the sparring gear possible, like thick leather shinpads, huge gloves, and headgear, and then go fast but very light, or they remove all the protective gear and go slow & light. It might not seem practical at first, but this type of sparring really helps you develop your timing and rhythm, which is CRITICAL for fighting!

Now, you have to consider that in Thailand, these guys are fighting every few weeks. They cannot AFFORD to spar full contact because if they get dinged up at all, they can't fight. If they can't fight, they don't earn money for the gym. If they don't earn money for the gym, they aren't earning their keep. If they aren't earning their keep, they'll find themselves out on the street and often without any other way to support themselves.

Outside of Thailand, we don't train OR fight as often as the Thai's do. Many gyms compensate by having shorter, more intense sparring sessions. Many gyms actually spar close to full contact all the time. However, I think this is a very crucial mistake.

My personal approach to sparring for my own fighters is this....

1. Boxing Only - these sparring sessions are the only full contact sparring sessions I allow for my fighters. Put on the big gloves and headgear, and start banging away.

2. Kicking Only - at this point, my fighters are required to "dial it back". I encourage them to go at full speed, but only use about 60% power.

3. Clinch & Knee's Only - the clinchwork is intense, but the knees are side knees, you aren't allowed to hit with the point of your knee, and they are not allowed to be thrown hard, only about 20% power.

4. Shadow Sparring, or "Playing the Game" - remove all safety gear and spar about about 50% speed and next to no power at all. Focus on learning to put all your tools together into a smooth, fluid attack.

[the tick]

What Khun Kao said. Talk to your trainer about this. He realy should keep an eye out for things like this. At my place we always tell our people when we start sparring to look out to sparr at 50% to avoid unnecessary injuries. The occasional accident of course will happen that can't be helped. This isn't a chess club. We also always remind them that some are more advanced then others. We tell them that every class. Especially since we do not use any headgears. Annoying things. Personally I do not mind sparring a little harder. But I rarely get the chance. Anyway. Talk to your trainer and avoid the ones with the ego.

[tkd_wrestler]

Sparring in any art is something to be used strictly to push each other and not to beat your partner up. If they're going to hard after you've told them to hold back some then you need to bring it up with your instructor.