When is the right time for sparring?

**greynotsoold** · 10-06-2011 12:47 AM

There was a trainer I used to watch in Phoenix that I thought highly of.(his son was at one time the #1 US amateur in his weight class and is currently 13-3 as a pro) What he would do start a guy jumping rope and doing situps,etc...then give him a run through on the basics of punching and turn him loose on the heavy bag. After a bit, when he could do a couple rounds on the heavy bag, he'd get him in the ring on the mitts for a couple rounds, then back to the heavy bag. After a month or so, he'd put him in for a round or two with a guy at a similar level. After that he'd spar every week.
Personally, I like to be more hands on, teaching a lot of technique, punching and protecting wise. I don't think it is fair to put a guy in without giving him some defensive knowledge to work with. I also think that, for beginners, jabs only, or left hand only, or body only sparring is pretty productive. Because it is a learning process.
Finally, I think that many, if not most, new boxers worry too much about conditioning, and devote too much time to it. Early on you are ingraining habits and building muscle memory, so hit the heavy bag, get in the ring and work the mitts, shadow box and spar. These things focus your mind on what it is that you are trying to learn, the skill your are attempting to master, while the variety of cross-training methods and what have you do not add to your boxing skill or ability. Learn how to box, do your roadwork. Conditioning is an ongoing process, achieved over years of training.

**Scrap** · 10-06-2011 02:38 AM

Great advice that Greys

**remy** · 10-06-2011 08:11 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys, those were exactly the kind of answers I was looking for.
I especially like the idea of using just left's when starting out, that makes a lot of sense. The guys I train with could use a lot of work on their jabs anyway.

Right now I'm not in the best financial position to sign up to a new gym (boxing is expensive where I live) so I'll keep up my own training till I find a good gym and can afford the membership.