Joe's Boxing Club Sydney

Homepage Get Started

Sparring Culture

A lot of people think of sparring in terms of 'fight club' cliché where people meet in underground car parks or deserted alleys and at least one ends up bloodied and battered for the entertainment of a small but bloodthirsty crowd. In general especially for the loser this would be short term proposition with the risk of carrying scars and injuries for the rest of their life.

Sparring for competitive fighters usually only comes at the end of their training to sharpen and harden for the fight. Although many will challenge themselves especially professionals by picking fighters with style similar to their eventual opponent. More often than not though the sparring partner is of lesser skill and is there to provide fodder and confidence for the competitor.

What we have at Joe's Boxing is something that I term 'Sparring Culture'.

We have different levels and types of sparring some little more than a game of tag, body only sparring for condition up to full contact competitive sparring.

We use headgear and 16oz gloves for men 10oz and chest protection for women. The aim is to gradually build the students skill slowly but surely from novice to the ability to fight at a full contact level. When a fighter of lesser skill is matched to a higher level he is challenged but is not beaten and hurt.

The difference comes then in the longevity of the contest. In normal sparring classes we will do a round with each participant which can be exhausting if 10 people show up to class. However it means that week after week you will compete against people who are of lesser skill, equal skill and advanced skill compared to your own level.

If you are against someone of lesser skill you have to exercise control but you can also try out some riskier moves. If fighting someone of greater skill you must show caution but can also gauge your own progress by using them as  a benchmark and of course if you are equal skill you can compete more freely and keep score against each other and build skills together.

It is in this way students can gain long term benefits and increase their skills to the point that they can protect themselves and be truly awesome and devastating should the need ever arise.

ph 9715 2083 and get started