The following article on learning boxing without sparring was submitted by Joe Louis from Askmeboxing.com.
Can you learn boxing without sparring? That’s the question every new boxer has in their mind. In this article, we are going to help you fully answer it.
Are you new to boxing? Do you have millions of questions about a boxer’s training routine? Chances are, many newbies out there are asking the same question as you.
Most amateurs in the boxing world are hesitant to bring sparring in their training sessions because of its risks. Then, can you learn boxing without sparring? In this article, you’ll find the reasons to decide whether or not you should spar in your training.
Can You Learn Boxing Without Sparring?
You might be good at boxing timing, combinations, drills, footwork, and others; however, you will be hard to become a professional boxer without sparring.
Firstly, some people think that sparring is a true exercise for practicing your reflex, strength, and critical thinking.
From a pro’s perspective, that thinking is right. Sparring doesn’t only help you improve your physical skills, but it also helps you perfect your mental state when facing a real opponent.
On the other hand, others say that sparring in boxing is unnecessary, especially when you only learn boxing for your overall health, which is quite a reasonable point.
If you don’t like confrontation, or you’re not planning on going onto pro fights, it is perfectly okay to practice with a bag of rice or a punching bag.
What Is The Purpose of Sparring?
Professional boxers always include sparring in their training sessions. It’s a necessary practice for them to train their quick reflexes and certain skills.
In boxing, we also call sparring constructive training. During a real fight, defense, tactical moves, and timing are critical. Every boxer must prepare themselves for the most intense situations. Both their bodies and minds have to be ready for what will happen next.
Sparring is all about practicing your muscle memory and effectively using that memory in the real fight.
In some gyms, personal trainers make their clients wear gloves for a heavy bag and head-protecting gears to increase the difficulty level. Though it might be a lot harder, it is truly all you need to warm up those powerful punches and hooks.
What Are the Risks That Come With Sparring? How Do You Spar Properly?
We have talked about how practicing sparring can be useful in boxing. What about the risks? Before getting into the real training, you need to consider the risk element.
There are risks in everything you do daily. Sparring in boxing is no exception. Extreme sparring can cause brain damage if you’re not careful.
Hard shots to the body are necessary for conditioning purposes, but not the head. Repetitive lesions to the head can cause CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), which will cause terrible brain diseases in the long term.
There have been reports of fighters getting hurt and even killed during a boxing fight. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean you have to be afraid and stop training.
Normally, there are two types of boxers: the first type are those who do hard sparring, the second are boxers desiring light and tech sparring. To better secure you and your partner’s safety, it’s best to do sparring with techniques and precautions.
Conclusion – can you learn boxing without sparring?
So, can you learn boxing without sparring? It’s hard to give an exact answer as it all depends on your goal of playing this sport.
If you’re aiming to become a professional box fighter, then go for it. Nevertheless, a punching bag would be enough for people who practice boxing to relieve stress and gain physique.
After reading this article, we hope you have found the reasons to include or exclude sparring in your training routine. Remember to stay tuned for our next posts!
About the writer
Joe Louis from Askmeboxing.com
This article is brought to you by Joe Louis from Askmeboxing.com – a platform for boxers to share their experiences and give their reviews for boxing products.
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