While sparring with boxers I have run into an unexpected frustration. During these sessions I have realized that since we have different purposes in training our views on the end result of the sessions are different. In many cases I see various openings for leg attacks which I don't take because they only box. Other times I realize that within one flurry it would be over but in light sparring it looks more like my hands aren't doing anything. My respect for the kicking range is taken as a reluctance to fight. Still I have also found many things which I like. The variations of use in training equipment from what I have seen before. Variations of drills which were also new to me. So when I begin to become frustrated with the differences I try to remember to keep my cup empty to be able to take with me any valuable advice. After all I can always take away what is not simple, direct, and economical.



Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation
P.E.A.C.E.

I LOVE boxing and have done a good bit of basic boxing training....

BUT

Don't fall into the trap of being a boxer UNLESS you plan to Box in the ring.
If you spend too much time sparring with boxers you will get pulled into playing their game.
The same goes for any sport fighting (TKD) and most sparring in general.

It is fun to spar, but you aren't likely to get into an old-school style fighting 'duel' (you shouldn't!)

jmp

No I don't have any plans of boxing for sport but right now it's the only thing that will let me spar with others so I'll take it. I do try to stay away from the things which will only lead to bad habits later. Still i try to walk that line of being a respectful student open to advice without straying from my main goal of advancement in JKD.

I will try some of those things out next time. I didn't want to concentrate on single things but if I look at it as a drill instead of a sparring then there is no problem.

I did get told that I was a head hunter. I can't help it when some one throws a hook and I can get 2-3 straight shots in Im going to take em.

Thanks for the advice John and Dick

Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation
P.E.A.C.E.

"I did get told that I was a head hunter."

Think about that in Boxing context.
When fighting multiple rounds in boxing, you can wear down your opponent with lots of body shots.
In a self-defense situation which is unlikely to last more than 30 seconds (or 10), a straight blast to the face is likely a better response.

jmp

I understand they have boxing minds but I can't just be a know-it-all student telling the instructor he is wrong. I don't want to be so close minded that I miss something that is useful and fits with JKD. This is the simplest explanation of my frustration.

I don't want things to be mistaken the instructor understands why I am training and accepts I do things differently.

Quick hint: When fighting a trained boxer switch your stances often and watch the look of confusion on the face. It's like a batter switching stances in the middle of a pitchers windup to them. :0

Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation
P.E.A.C.E.

I used to train boxing, and have a very good friend that did JKD first and boxing second. Don't worry about coming off close minded, just tell him straight up and be real and sincere of what your goals are, and leave it at that. That way you flip the script so to speak, because if he has nothing do with what you say, it makes him look like the "bigot" and not you. Moreover, you can box using the JKD hand alignments and baijong, it seems with my friend it threw them off. As for me, when I boxed at MTSU (informal) each instructor tried to make me box "their" way. You know what, when I did, I got tagged pretty hard, and it made them feel guilty so I went back boxing my way and did pretty well (against fellow beginners of course.)

Hi

Some possible solutions might be...Trapping when
you can get in close or the Straight Blast.
Broken Rythm and feints can also be good.

"Slipping" outside and punching can also be good
tactics.

Hope this is helpful.


Dick

Andrew!

Remember, do not place too much importance on what happens in sparring, especially like boxing when you are bound by certain rules and limited to certain techniques. While still a learning experience, it is a far cry from the "everything and anything goes" attitude of a real life self defense situation. The important thing is that you can turn it on and get the job done when your life is on the line. The best boxers in the world become useless when blinded by a bil jee or have their leg broken by a lowline side kick! Our attitude, techniques, psychology and training approach are totally different, so don't get discouraged when participating in sparring based on their rules! In the street, the biggest mistake someone can make is to try to play someone else's game! When it is for real, turn on the killer instinct, do what you do best and end it! That is what WE train for! Always remember my THREE SECOND RULE: From the time I first move, if the fight isn't over in three seconds or less, I did something wrong!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
sifu@live.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.DragonBlastMA.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)
or (205) 213-2086

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

that's true I'm going to take it for what it is. Ill relax, have fun, and experiment with it.

Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation
P.E.A.C.E.