Beginner with a question

**at1029** · 03-31-2007 06:44 PM

hello everybody this is my first post, i am new to boxing, i just enjoy the feeling of sparring in a ring, but my question is...
while sparring, when the other guy throws a punch, i sometimes blink, or close my eyes for a second, and i hate doing that. so is there any drills/advice that can help me work on keeping my eyes open, or is this something i just need to work on while sparring. THanks

**Von Milash** · 03-31-2007 06:51 PM

I like to tape my eyes open. of course pulling the tape off later pulls my eyebrows out and that hurts like hell.

**Chris Nagel** · 03-31-2007 07:15 PM

This is common for guys like you that are just starting out. But did you know that professional fighter flinch as well? I remember Oscar was flinching as he had a hard time sorting out Hopkins feints.

This is something that you're body is going to get over though practice. Once your body develops some new tendencies such as some defense, moving, and punching, which will come, you'll have less of a tendency to squint/blink or flinch for that matter.

Practice on the mitts, this will help get you into the rhythem of throwing punches. Compliment this with shadowboxing and bagwork and you'll start to sharpen up. The biggest cure for your blinking problem is to practice the fundamentals, and to spar more often.

Even me and a professional fighter for instance when we're rusty we may have some a little problem with squinting for a punch, but after a few days of intense sparring, that same punch won't even bother me at all. I'll go right off my plan, move and set up my shots.

Blinking and turning away, along with standing still, dropping your hands and rushing forward/backwards are natural tendencies that get ironed out through good practice and training.

**Chris Nagel** · 03-31-2007 07:44 PM

lol, if all else fails you can go with what von said.

I once read that a monk had trouble keeping his eyes open for long periods of meditation. His solution? Cutting off the eyelids did the trick. lol, imagine what that poor sap looked like.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that there's such a thing as coffee.

**Von Milash** · 03-31-2007 10:07 PM

good reply chris. cc.

I did this to break out of the habit (to some extent). I had my trainier (old retired pro) catch and return, but to do return HARD. I made a point of keepig my eyes open at all costs.

Another thing, like Chris said, so much of it has to do with movement. If you move (bob/weave/slip, etc) and do it a lot, you'll get more confidence in doing it, and you'll get more confidence that you're not going to be hit while doing it. Thus, you'll keep your eyes open assuming that you're not going to get hit. Then you start to see better, and can exit quicker.

You can also learn the peekaboo, kinda like what I do with my trainer. Your eyes are open but your face is almost entirely covered... then you just sneak a peak through your gloves and pick your spots to return fire.

**TRANSWARP** · 04-01-2007 01:41 PM

Some good point guys.

**bigragu** · 04-01-2007 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by at1029

hello everybody this is my first post, i am new to boxing, i just enjoy the feeling of sparring in a ring, but my question is...
while sparring, when the other guy throws a punch, i sometimes blink, or close my eyes for a second, and i hate doing that. so is there any drills/advice that can help me work on keeping my eyes open, or is this something i just need to work on while sparring. THanks

Hit the speed bag...alot...and get as close to it with your face as you can....let that wind get in your eyes and get used to things coming at your face.....tell me how this works for you....good luck..

**at1029** · 04-02-2007 12:00 AM

thanks for all the advice, i will try all the advice you guys have told me. but i have another question... i am 175cm(5'9ft) and 73kg(160lbs) is it ok for me to be more of an inside fighter, i feel more comfortable in that area throwing hooks and uppercuts. and also when blocking a jab should i parry or slip? thanks for the great advice guys

**Chris Nagel** · 04-02-2007 12:14 AM

There's nothing wrong with fighting inside, just be aware that your opponent can hit you there too.

As for countering the jab you can either slip or parry. Neither is more important than the other, but you should learn how to do both. I think slipping or parrying punches are still better than blocking. Catching punches is different as long as you are in a position to counter.

How's everything else coming along? Wou should also be incorporating you attack with your footwork.