Out of any training tool I could recommend to you there is no better way to practice than the use of situational sparring.

I’m sure you can guess what it means, but for clarification I’ll explain what it is for you.

Situational sparring is essentially real sparring with limitations. The idea is to practice only a couple things at once. For example, before the round begins you’ll designate certain punches or certain positions you’re going to work like the first round we’ll practice throwing and defending jabs from distance, the second round we’ll add in the right hand…and so on.

The reason why its so appealing to me is because it allows you to get the feel of what a real fight will be like while still in a controlled environment. And by controlled environment—I mean you’re not trying to take each others heads off and each of you know what’s coming so if you get whacked…it’s really your own fault.

All it took was one session to get better

Last Thursday, I think, was my most productive training session so far. Really, it was for no other reason than the fact that we situational sparred.

My training partner Manny and I worked hooks and uppercuts on the inside for 5 three minute rounds.

We weren’t in there trying to hurt each other, but we weren’t going light either. The only difference between what we were doing and live sparring is we weren’t loading up on our shots.

You certainly feel it when you get popped, but it’s not hard enough to drop you.

Before Thursday I knew what I should be doing on the inside, but was having difficulty applying it in a live scenerio.

Why?

Because I hadn’t ever really practiced it on anything other than a heavy bag.

All it took was one session of situational sparring…let me repeat, one session, to gain the comfort and confidence I needed to employ it the next time I spar live.

By the 5th consecutive round of situational sparring I could see all the shots coming, appropriately defend them, and then counter with my own attack.

I don’t think I’ve ever improved so much in so little time.

It’s this type of training that will get you Ring Ready. So make sure you give it a try and let me know how it goes.