My First Muay Thai Sparring Match

[chokeyou]

Coming up this Wednesday. It's not a big deal for most of the other students, but this is the first time I fight someone in a controlled environment, and would like to do well for a super beginner.

Any tips or suggestions on how to dominate one of the more experienced muay thai students? I have good form and power on my punching and knees. I noticed that a lot of the people sparring hardly kick and they like to rush/push the opponent back using their leg strength while punching the whole time.

What could I do to counter this type of fighting? It's doesn't seem like very good technique on their part since they are just flailing their arms around and running towards you.

Thank you in advance,

Zeke

 

[MikeMartial]

Listen to your kru. At this point in the game, any internet advice would be worthless.

 

[Reakt]

Except that its sparring, you shouldn't be going in there with the attitude of trying to "dominate" your sparring partners, save that hero shit for the ring, go in there trying to learn, timing, defence, stringing combos together, using angles etc. Theres nothing worse than sparring a fucking over aggressive newbie whos trying to punch your head off but has not yet grasped the basics, but they usually come out worse for wear.

 

[Spanky11]

also...don't run out of gas after the first minute...

always leave a little in the tank

 

[chokeyou]

Cool, thanks for the advice.

I'm not going in there trying to knock anyone's head off, but I don't want to look like a complete newbie.

Basically, was asking for advice on what to do against a rush because thats what they all mainly do.

When they rush me, should I kick straight out in front of me, or just defend until they run out of gas? I was thinking of defending, and then catching them with a hook or overhand right.

 

[Reakt]

Use angles. A push kick is good but an easy counter is to parry the foot to the side, which will knock you off balance leaving you open to a leg kick or punches. A better defence is to, block and step to the side and turn your body and attack from a different angle. this might explain it better http://www.boxing4free.com/angles.html. What ever you do don't back peddle. Hope this helps

 

[Kane Fan]

try to avoid even THINKING about dominating a more experienced fighter
the further your mind is from reality the harder it will be for your body to react

it depends on how they charge
the way you describe it sounds like it's almost out of a cartoon where they run forward with thier eyes closed and windmill thier arms
I can't beleive people that spar regularly would adopt this 'style' for more then a month...

 

[kickboxer195]

I agree with the above posters----if they are sparring in a straight-forward style, they are NOT experienced. You being a newbie, the first thing you should do is keep your hands UP---I know this sounds very simple, but you wouldn't believe the newbies that start eating punches, and actually LOWER their hands, and poke their head UP!!!

Secondly, you can try the push kick, but as said above, I personally would parry it to the side, then inside-leg kick you when you planted. If they come straight ahead 'hands only' you can try pumping your jab out to meet them. Follow the jab with a rear-leg low kick, and you'll be OK.

If they come at you with punches and kicks, try a double leg takedown, because that will be your only defense fighting a more-skilled opponent that obviously doesn't know how to 'spar' nicely, lol. NO ONE more experienced should be anywhere near 100% when sparring. When I spar newbies, I tone it down to at least 50% to help them out.

 

[Kane Fan]

I don't think a double leg takedown is th eway to go
I think it's illegal in MThai isn't it? you have to do takedowns from the clinch not from outside I think

 

[kickboxer195]

Kane, it was a joke.............

 

[Kane Fan]

oh
very funny

 

[Djimbe]

Last Notes :

Fight Defensively . Try more to "Tie" than to "Win" Dont extend yourself , and DONT take chances . This includes "Obvious" holes left in his/her game for you to "Take" . IF Someones a Rusher , Clinch early And LOCK BODIES with them , if not throw from the Clinch (if its a REAL MT class , and not MMA MT) Dont get into Wars of Attrition . Switch angles often as long as you can be Defensive from those Angles .

Think about a Particular Weapon from each Range and Working it . Say Right Jab , Left Elbow , Switchkick and Right Knee . Or even Shorten that list all te way down to one thing . Try your Damnedest to both Set Up and Execute as many Sidekicks (or whatever) as you can . Sparring is just about Application under the heat of the moment , so use it to work on your games Weak spots while pressure is on . THAT is the only way not to get Housed . Focus on a gameplan , and Execute it .

 

[chokeyou]

UPDATE on my first sparring match:

I fought two other guys who were very advanced and they took it very easy on me, just showing me the basics, etc.

Then I fought a third guy who started a couple weeks before I did, and I think I did very well against him. He kept dropping his hands after every punch, especially his jabs, so I would counter with a right/left hook every time.

I noticed I didn't kick often, and I need to work on using angles better. It was pretty much just me absorbing the punches with my hands, then countering him.

Also, I noticed I was looking away or closing my eyes when he threw combos and just locking myself up until he was done. I don't know if this comes with experience or not, but it's something I need to work on too.

Other then that, I had a blast and I'm looking foward to fighting again this Saturday. Thanks for all of the advice guys!

Zeke

 

[Kane Fan]

yes I have that same problem
it would be long behind me by now but I don't get regular sparring
so hopefully I can correct that soon

 

[Djimbe]

get a better woman !

I LOVE being able to say "Get up , Bitch , lets FIGHT !!!"