Do Not Go Backwards in Sparring | Sidestep Strategies for Boxing and MMA
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If you are new and running away during sparring, that is pretty normal. You would actually have to be kinda stupid to not be running away. Finding training partners you can trust to go at a pace that is productive for you is the real difficulty, but once you do you should concentrate on sidestepping instead of moving backward.
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Music:
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Question for Viewers: What else are you having trouble with in sparring?
Boxing specific: getting in close to attack the body, also getting stuck in close when someone is better at dirty boxing than me.
Lowering one's eyes during sparring.
Sometimes I still have trouble with relaxation during sparring...Especially after taking a hit. Good video by the way.
@@Agiranto I used to have this issue too. I put a piece of red tape on my heavy bag and kept my eyes on it. This worked for me, but it may not work for you.
My many of my students have trouble “engaging”. Mostly due to inexperience, although some are experienced & don’t utilize the proper footwork to engage. Like you said, they just try something, if it don’t work they just back up. Grrr LoL. Great video!
I'm not fighting like a coward, okay? I'm fighting like a dollar store Muhammad Ali.
"Float like a butterfly... just that"
@@marceldouwstra5847 lol
Sting like a jellyfish flow like a jellyfish
@@marceldouwstra5847 lmfao
@@marceldouwstra5847 "Float like a butterfly, flee like a bee!"
"Shit happens, we're fighting" Unironically the best advice I've heard
The last two brain cells when my brother threw the pillow at me
This is the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON for me I've been trying to fix this and 2. Flinching 3. Measuring range In sparring
I suffer with flinching during sparring as well.
@@xlr527flinching is good though youll be more aware
"Don't run away, you'll just die tired." -Icy Mike Sound like some good life advice.
"Don't run away, you'll just die tired." I'm going to remember that. Especially since I'm not a fast runner
I'd rather die tired than die with a lil juice left in me... but that's not the point... the point was in contrats to standing a chance.
You can become one with the right hands on training trust me I USE to have really bad asama (bad breathing I probably spelled wrong sorry) I thought it was impossible but with some Gohan no piccolo around to be my new dad training and you'll be surprised 😂😂😂
One of the best training exercises we ever done at our gym was sparring with one foot inside the same tire. Forced us to use headmovement, hand trapping, parrying and counters.
That sounds really good
We used to do something similar called a "phone box spar", you and your partner had to stay within the confines of 4ftx4ft square, if you ran you got a forfeit eg a shitload of burpees
That's a great drill, we had to tie our belts together, same idea forces you to get used to that uncomfortable distance.
Ed Simmonds so u were forced to one particular style of boxing?
Haha like creed!
I really like the educational mentality ! Too many guys in the scene just wanna hurt someone
I can't help but notice your gym has a lack of mirrors. To where is one supposed to flex at?
At your boys.
Even we have a mirror and we ain't even flexin
Haha i know you are joking but mirrors at marshall arts are actually very useful.
@@aljosap8445 ...I know this was a joke but it is odd to not have mirrors in a gym. No matter if you're lifting weights, training in martial arts or training in boxing mirrors help a lot as far as utilizing proper form.
@@TalkingIsh100 yeah for shadow boxing its actually necessary
Great point! Was completely overawed when sparring at first. Hard learning to stay in the pocket but it's the only way you learn that getting punched isn't the worst thing in the world. I'd zip in and out, which is frustrating for your opponent but it does nothing.
@@blackhoodie4170 The problem was that I wasn't doing that. I was staying out of range every time I zipped out but wasn't being too offensive when zipping back in. That was a few years ago now though. An oul double jab, right cross works well I find these days haha
I love how the “LEG MASSOLE” is still going on. For real it gets me every time lol I would like to see the video on that side step side shuffle you mentioned.
I've been trying to introduce your tips into my sparring session's with friends and I feel like we trust each other so much more. If i notice my buddies getting tired I'll stop and ask if things are okay and they do the same. Were still shit tho but were better than last year so hell yeah.
If you're having fun and being safe that's what's most important.
What I enjoy about your videos/channel, is that they mostly call me out in stuff I've realized I've done in practice. Which I definitely for sure realized was not necessarily the correct way to train with someone, but your videos for sure helped me realize the correct way to learn in the gym.
I always tell my students that one, maybe two steps back is all that is allowed but after that there is a wall and forward (angles) is the only way to go. Good video.
One tip I learned from watching Loma is he always sidesteps after throwing his jab to cover the side he's moving to. For example, if he's moving right, he'll throw jabs to cover his opponent's right hand to keep it busy. So now, he's in a better position, his opponent's is already moves behind because they're dealing with his jabs.
It’s mindset, well said. The “rolling counter” hooks are my favorites. Those pivots Cliff was doing is something you see amateur boxers do a lot. Very useful tool for cutting a quick angle. Even going to the power side. It throws you opponents timing off. Of course you have to be control the tempo to be effective with that one.
This is perfect because I spared for the first time on Wednesday and got messed up but had fun. Thankyou for posting this
Did you go for free or did you have to pay?
BRO! You did a perfect play by play of my sparring at the beginning! 😄😄 that's why I'm here, trying to learn! Thanks for all you do!
I absolutely love your videos, been training for 28 years, getting ready to get my purple belt in Bjj, I am a big knife enthusiast however I agree with what your saying you should learn how to fight before you pick up any weapon, so happy a stumbled on to you guys keep it up brother.
Dude, thank you so much. I’ve been boxing for a few months now and this really helped me.
I was looking for something like this. Thank you icy Mike for dropping fire just when we need it
As a karate guy, I do not have a problem moving backwards. It sets me up to use my kicks defensively.
Problem: 1. That methodology works in point competition where you score by "touching" the other guy with your foot and not actually "hurting" him and 2. You can only fight the way you train. I came from one of those karate schools where "running" is the main strategy and believe me when I tell you that said approach might get you killed on the street.
Ya never moving back is for dumbasses with no foot work
No actually, running is probably the smartest thing you could do on the street. This advice is for training in a gym and sparring. Not street fighting.
Ive said it for years. Never even got close to explaining it like you do. Thanks. now i can just show my friends this vid.
When things like 1:29 happen, I like to keep 100 percent volume and pressure but ease up big time on the power of each punch to the point of borderline limp noodling it. I think it’s useful for them to experience that so they know they MUST learn to get out of it or counter, but without giving them headaches ya know.
I began watching your videos yesterday after searching reviews for self defense weapons, I could not stop watching your videos, very interesting and fun. Subscribed. Regards, Franklin from Honduras.
Gonna start watching your back catalog. Seems like a good channel.
Thanks man welcome to the squad
That side pivot movement just blew me away on just moving without no effort and still being able to engage crazy I would never have thought of that
"You're fighting shit happens" that needs to be on a tshirt, meme, and plastered on the wall in every gym/dojo
*Hahahahaha, I agree!*
Ironic that you posted this right before hard ready and everyone touched on this subject Haha. It was nice meeting you.
I feel like I'm always waiting for the "Laig Moe-soles!" 😁 Cracks me up. I just started back boxing as a middle-aged outta shape man. I'm loving all these tips. I find it encouraging. Thanks my man.
Great, I needed this video. Sparring is just back in my country since like March.
Very informative and Cliff insight on in fighting is spot on as well.
This dude helped my sparring how a lot!
Love to hear it
This came at the right time! Just saw this video in my recommended after Shane's video on how to stop "running away."
Durwyn Lamb out of Lamb IV Striking Academy Fort Worth Texas taught me the step pivot today. We train it religiously. It is one of the greatest lessons in kickboxing and MMA DEFENSE. This video is so helpful for me because I run like Mayweather but want to stand my ground like a Spartan. Thank you sir!!!!
Epic info Mike. Respect to you brother.
Ye absolutely do the video in the tyson shuffle. I've added it to my routine since corona and I'm interested in seeing what you come up with!
This is an excellent video. One of our boxing coaches had a rope and would tie it around our waists in sparring. There would be 3 to 4 feet of slack in between them. We all started roped in the beginning and it was a damn good teacher.
Great video. I didn't realize it until I saw this video but I have been doing just that. Thank you
Yes please do a video on the skip or shuffle step. I remember writing you a message on IG about it.
Do a full video on the "tyson type sequence"
Yes!
I like this video. We use the phrase “think in”. For the same concept. I will admit sometimes it is a struggle.
Very good video, gives you that little reminder of things to think about
The straight right has a refractory period 😂 that make me chuckle. Love the video!
Wish I had found your channel earlier. Great content!
The pivot works too. Great video
Wait Mike so you're telling me we shouldn't fight like Seth anymore?
Definitely not.
Ooooh! WORLDSTAR ! Lol that was great.
Wasn't it obvious?
Good lesson. And your right it took me years to train my instincts to not shuffle backwards. Pro tip. If your able to switch stances. after a solid block and or clean slip when finding your momentum going backwards switch stances and push forward almost always get the reaction I'm looking for.
Good information! There are runners, blockers, and jammers. I think Cliff trained the Joe Lewis fighting system. Use your left hand to cross block the right as you move to your left and punch with your right at the same time. I do a shuffle step or maybe call it a switch step one step back then move in any direction off that.
This guy is always helpful
Thumbs up for LEG MUH-SCLE
needed this 🙏🙏
"you gotta know why you're running away" Seems obvious to me... You're fighting Cliff.
Astute
nice work!! and i'd love to see the tyson technique video
Very helpful you earned a new sub
Hey Mike, try bass-boosting you audio a bit in the future, Cliff's voice sounds waay lower than yours and it's hard to understand him sometimes. I have to up the volume and then you're screaming in my ear (and I only need that in your workout vids ^^)
Man, so similar to longsword fighting! I use backward movement to condition my opponent and get them chasing, then switch to lateral movement and the end result is that targets that are usually not in range become available, like legs. I use slipping almost exactly the same way! Took me a bit to figure out the setup and it’s daunting to step into and under a long sword blade, but it leaves your opponent so wide open. Also, try it in the middle of a combo - block his right, then left, them slip under his next right when he’s really committed and not expecting it! I do this with the sword to cut across the belly and it takes the wind out of my targets. A difference being I only need to succeed 2-3 times to end a match as body shots are 3 points, legs 2, and a match ends at 9. Do you have success with faking a step in one direction to set this up? IE little step and shoulders dip and then springing the other way and sinking a fist into his gut and maybe following with a left hook? Do you condition your opponent with patterns and then break the patterns in a fight? :)
The step-pivot in closed stance has worked well for me if we're starting at longer range, where I'm working kicks. If they try to close the distance to lock up my legs, it's been a convenient way to get the angle to throw a fully cross-body, right-leg roundhouse (assuming two orthodox fighters) to an open target. In close, not so much. If they're not going to "charge" past you as you pivot, it seems to present issues. Haven't really played with using a lead hook to lock them down while performing the pivot, though. Seems plausible, but might not actually be feasible.
Great video. I think footwork is my biggest problem right now since I just started actually training for real and this is gonna help me out a ton. Also, no mic for Cliff? We wanna hear what the dude has to say lol
"Sh!t happens,we're fighting"❤. Life lesson 101.
"Don't 'run away,' you'll just 'die tired.'" That's the best way I've ever heard that put.
Fran sands has some great footwork and movement tips and drills
Please more it is very important 👍🏼🇩🇪
Don't be scared homie is all I can say thank you for letting me know my fighting is on a high level and that my training was for nothing. I'm kinda Ronin so it sucks not having someone tough like you around
This is my favorite channel
I back up a lot in sparring, especially against someone with a big reach disadvantage. By moving backwards you're lengthening the time that your opponent is in the range where you can reach but they can't. Of course you have to circle to stay in the space provided whether that's a ring, a cage, or a section of mat. Precision Striking's tips for outside fighters videos really helped me put together the footwork and timing to land hard punches while moving backwards.
I can imagine if you're short, and especially if you're actually going hard/for real or something, that knowing when to backstep is paramount to your survival. But I think this video is more focused on getting you comfortable with how to close the distance when you need to, which you do need to if you're shorter anyways. After that, it's about picking the right time to go in I would say.
I like to go straight forward. Ram into them a bit and as they try to figure out their positioning and whether they should be defending or punching, I angle out adjacent to their position. I'm 5'7" on a good day, so this works for me against most of my training partners, who are taller.
Great stuff bro
love your vids btw
This is the hardest for me to learn, for some reason, but I'm getting there. Baby steps.
Thanks for this
This is great advice they get momentum if you do, lateral movement is the only way.
Yea I wanna see some footwork vids. And can't wait for tyson
Very informative video
Amazing content!
I have gotten quite good at landing counter strikes while going backwards and suddenly shooting forwards when the time is right. Helps me deal with bigger, tankier opponents. I'm proud of that ☺️
Need to learn this so badly was sparring a bigger dude and he was coming forward with flurries which I just couldn’t seem to do anything against.
I like watching old willy pep videos best footwork ever.
I call that shuffle switch “the hustle”
Congratulations on learning karate mike n explaining basic kata
Good video. Sparring is not for knocking your sparring partner unconscious. It's for learning your fight craft and applying it
I like realness, and this man is all about realness.
Thanks for that.
Amazing! Thank you!!
totally unrelated to the topic of the video but the way you taught how to slip punches by pushing elbow to opposite knee made me realize i have been doing it wrong for a whole year lmfao, i knew something was missing!
Yes please make the tyson type sequence video
5:34 George Foreman coordinates that swinging footwork w/a punch. Just looking at the punch, it seems to be a tap, but w/that 240 lb barn door behind it....
Love the vids!
I slipped into an overhand right not too long ago and sotra caught it half way through the punch and it felt like a train had hit me on the nose, no pain just pure impact and shock haha didn't think I was getting caught so threw me off guard completely.
Can I purchase that Tshirt bro?? Love the Videos ;) during this nonsense CovBS This is one of the more refreshing & educational videos. Awesome ;)
Where I train its interesting. The way it works where I train is that we are told not to do it (eg we don't know what's behind us, so we train to step to the side). But life being what it is, and recognizing that we might do so anyway, when we work our combos, where is one combo where we step back, cover up with our hands (kind of what you called a tight guard), step forward again, then perform the punches to the pad. The idea is that don't do it, but if you ever find yourself having stepped back, you immediately step forward and keep fighting.
That foot replace was in one of the early lockdown workouts, been playing around with it since, feels like theres a tonne of things which flow off it
Good memory
@@hard2hurt loving the ashura senku course btw, cant wait to get back to sparring and try it out
I'm a southpaw, the step pivot only works for me if I'm throwing double jabs and move while I'm jabbing. I just don't have the speed for it. But thanks for the tips, will use it next sparring session!!
"Dont run away youll just die tired" Simple genius wisdom
How about a video about fighting while backing up?? This is something ive been working at with great success
2 shuffles back to get them in strong forward motion then a side step of pivot and fire. Short hooks and uppercuts
You also have to be careful with moving to the lead side so you don't catch the check hook as well..If someone leans back on it like they are supposed to then it can hurt just as much as a right hand.
Don't worry about slipping & side stepping to set up the right right slip jab & pivot @ the same time & put the right hand chest high right behind it icy mike.
For me (south paw) I like to step to the right, and the bring a lead corkscrew over their guard. Either hitting their tempel or jawline. I'll usually follow it with a rear cross or a rear uppercut to the chest (aiming for the sternum). That's just my two cents on it.
I’d love to see the Tyson stuff for sure lol
Damn I wished I found your channel way earlier when I could train boxing. I've been learning so much and now I can't apply it mostly due to school and coronavirus.
excuses
@@bartimaus8738 I wish