Sparring is an essential aspect of Muay Thai training for anyone who wants to fight one day. It’s where you can put what you’ve learned in the other aspects of your training into practice in what’s best described as “simulated combat.” Some of the strategies learned in training may not always work out the same way with a real person, as a student may discover.
Adjustments must be made because a partner carrying a pad or a bag that keeps reasonably still can’t completely imitate the proportions and movement of a real person. When it comes time to fight or compete in the ring, a pupil who hasn’t sparred or tried tactics on a real person may feel lost. Looking for flexible Muay Thai classes in Singapore? Check out Matrix MMA.
Safety
Other elements can also assist you in sparing nicely.’ Wear 16 oz gloves and leather or synthetic leather shin pads with good shin protection. If you kick someone’s knee or elbow, the foam-sock style shin pads provide very little cushioning for your shins, and on a more serious note, they provide very little protection to your partner from your shins!
Hygiene
These are all significant factors in a sparring partner’s experience. Keep your nails short, keep your deodorant in your bag, wear a shirt if you’re extremely hairy and/or sweaty, and keep breath mints in the glove compartment of your car if you’re particularly hairy and/or sweaty. Most essential, don’t store damp clothing in your backpack between workouts. Hang your gear up at home, wash your wraps, and don’t wear the same outfit twice in a row.
Keep it Lighthearted
For some folks, sparring might be extremely intimidating. As you attend more frequently, you will become accustomed to it; but, keep in mind that others may not be on the same level as you. It’s conceivable that they’re tense because of worry or nervousness if they’re pushing themselves too hard. Retain a light-hearted approach and offer to work with them technically to help them relax rather than trying to injure them.
We have defined sparring time at TFC, and our students can choose whether or not to spar. This means that most people who attend our sparring sessions are fully aware and consent to being punched and kicked, so don’t feel obligated to apologize every time you hit them. However, if you accidentally hit them harder than you intended, it’s a good idea to acknowledge it and apologize before continuing.
