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[Milldog1776]

Had a breakthrough tonight while sparring. I had worked out pretty hard with my students...and was really tired.

We got to sparring, and I was getting hit in the head a lot by shots I saw coming and should have been able to intercept. Analysis:  When I get tired I tend to carry my arms too low. I'm sure this is a common problem due to many factors.

Anyone have any drills or input on a fix for this problem, or is conciousness going to be the main factor in my recovery?

[Joe Hubbard]

Hi Milldog

This is a common problem and very often people will just say you need more sparring flight time to cure this.  One of the things that has really helped me over the years are various positions from a Chi Kung system called “The Way Of Standing Still.”  I am only still a baby in Chi Kung as I have only practised it for about eight years now, but the fourth basic position will help your problem.  The position is called “Opening Outward.”  Although I have modified this for my own purposes.  Go into a half squat; keep your elbows in and palms out as you are holding a small balloon in your hands.  Keep your back straight and hold this position for 10 minutes.  Your shoulders will probably seize up, but persevere after a while you will strengthen supportive muscles and tendons and you will no longer drop your hands while sparring.  Do a search on Amazon for books and videos by Master Lam Kam Chuen.  Most of what Chi Kung is about is breathing.  If you think that oxygen is our main source of energy then you will start to understand that breathing properly has got to be a priority.

Cheers

Joe

[worth]

Take two light weights, 1, 2, 3, or 5 lbs depending upon your strength and ENDURANCE level.  We are not trying to build strength but endurance.  Endurance comes from lots of reps not heavy weights.  Hold the two weights close to your chest, one in each hand, and alternately punch and bring back to your chest as if you were throwing jabs with both the left and right arms.  Do this 50-100 times.  When you reach 100 reps, increase the weight slightly.

[Milldog1776]

Hey great stuff guys! Here's one a MMA friend of mine emailed to me. I guess they do this with Shamrock. He said that when you get tired muscle memory kicks in. The problem is that you are tired, so trying to keep your hands in the "correct" position is very hard. He said that they drill and work the mitts with their hand unordinarily high, and only spar after fatigued from this practice. what do you guys think of that?

[mleone]

My Instrcutor used to Punch my arms even more if I put my hands down. Then gave me some combat visualizations to attack him harder and fast even though tired. 

[Rawhide]

One of the methods I use to combat this situation (especially when I'm fighting "Tiny" our resident 6'4" 270 lb fighter , I'm a mere (maybe) 180(?)) I concave my body or slouch a little so I can rest my elbos on my sides.  I have found it does two things 1) allows my arms to rest and therefore when the tempo picks up I can function better defensively and 2) It keeps my abs in a state of semi contractedness that helps me take the hir if I can't get away.

I agree with the weights as well I might also suggest a Title Boxing Dvd/video called: Achieve Speed and Power in Boxing (DVD #9) they only cost $9.95 and this one is well worth the cost.  Also along the lines of using dumbbells, I also suggest holding 2-8 lbs depending on your ability while you kick.  Hold your arms in the on guard position with proper technique.  Eventually you'll be amazed how easily your arms stay up.