36 useful sparring tips

Sparring tips:

1. Size up your opponent before you engage. If he strikes first then you know he is an OFFENSIVE fighter. If he waits for your attack then you know he is a DEFENSIVE fighter.
2. Find out what technique your opponent is good at by giving a fake. If your opponent moves his hands then you know he is a puncher. If your opponent moves his leg then you know right away that he is a kicker.
3. Try to get your opponent to attack first, either by a fake or taunt. You will quickly learn what technique your opponent relies on, (every fighter has their favorite technique) then plan a counter for that attack.
4. Do not telegraph your attack.
5. Never show fear when sparring. Your opponent will sense fear and go on the attack, however, fear also can be used as a fake.
6. When you and your opponent are in hitting range make sure you're legs are never wider than your shoulder width. Wider stands makes your movements slower.
7. Always set up your opponent before you strike. Set up high, strike low. Set up low, strike high. Most experienced fighters will never get hit unless you set them up.
8. Always relax the body before you strike. Tension slows down attacks. Visualise a snake attacking it's prey. Calm, relaxed, then strike with lightening speed.
9. Close the gap between your thought and action. Don't think too long or the opportunity is lost.
10. The moment to strike an opponent is when he is about to launch an attack or as he is landing from his attack.
11. Jabs and back knuckles are the fastest weapon for your hands which is done with the lead hand. Also practice round house and side kicks like a jab with the lead leg to set up or jam oncoming opponent.
12. Always remember when your opponent attacks -- a part of their body will be exposed for counter. This applies to your counter as well.
13. If you are constantly clashing with your opponent then you must work on timing. If you don't understand timing then go back to tip #10.
14. Focus on the target in your mind without looking at the target.
15. Don't kick just to be kicking. Let each technique have a purpose rather than kicking or punching for the sake of just sparring.
16. Don't block unnecessary attacks.
17. Pace your energy, kicking takes more energy than hands so use it sparingly.
18. If your opponent is good with sliding kicks then the time to attack is when his feet comes together right before he tries to launch a kick.
19. If your opponent has a great counter back kick with his right leg and you also fight with right leg back then you must switch your fighting stands with left leg back instead of right, this way you can move away faster and not walk into his back kick.
20. Watch your opponents body movement, not just their eyes. Experienced fighters do not show emotion so you must focus on their whole body.
21. Use back knuckle to set up opponent or to cover their vision.
22. Don't turn your back on an opponent.
23. Don't try to score on the first attack. Have in mind to set up and score on the 2nd or the 3rd attack.
24. The most common technique used in sparring is round house kick. Learn various counter for the round house kick. Such as back kicks and spin heel kick.
25. When cornered, jam your opponent's attack before they can fully extend their leg or hand and slip out to the side.
26. Every attack has a counter so learn them. You learned that playing rock, paper, scissors as a kid.
27. If you get hit, never lose your temper and go after your opponent, your rage will make you more vulnerable for a counter attack.
28. When fighting a defensive fighter, you must use fakes to open them up before attacking.
29. Learn to side step when kicking in close distance.
30. Do not use high jump kicks for sparring. Low jump kicks are okay at a higher level.
31. Do not back up straight against a combination attack, move side ways or jam them before they can launch their attack.
32. When you attack there must be no doubt or hesitation, you must commit otherwise you are open to counter attack.
33. Do not always try to beat your opponent in the first round, especially if they are bigger. Cover up well, make them move, get them tired then move in.
34. Never under estimate your opponent.
35. No one person fights the same. Quickly adopt and assess opponent's weakness.
36. Sparring has 3 principles. RELEASE energy. RESERVE energy and REGENERATE energy

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