Leave or stay?

Catmeat · 06-13-2007, 09:51 AM

Well i been training in my class now for a month or two (MMA) and i dont seem to be improving. Nobody ever trys to help me improve my sparring, the coaches ignore me and theres some guys who like to hit really hard in sparring (like full contact). What should i do?

bgrizzly98 · 06-13-2007, 10:45 AM

Talk to your instructors first and let them know how you feel. If you are not ready for 100% power sparring, Tell the guys that go 100% to backoff a little. If your instructors ignore how you feel and are not willing to give you more instruction or help you further your progress and the guys that you told to backoff a little are not backing off, then you need to find a different gym. A good gym will respect your feelings and guys you train with should respect your request to back off. Sparring should be about learning, not beating the people you train with up or vice versa, Unless that is they are churning out champions in MMA left and right. If this is the case, stick it out you will get better.

krait · 06-13-2007, 11:15 AM

Bgrizzly98 pretty much said it all. Only thing I'd ad is that when your talking the instrutor be clear about what your goals are in training. Do you wnat to fight professionally or is it just a recreational thing. I train just for fun. Now I'll throw down at full speed from time to time in the ring and on the mat but its not an everday thing. I have a day job and training is just for fun and exercise. The gym I train at works well for me. There are others in the area that really are trying to put out pro fighters and they will will pretty much beat the crap out of each other everyday.

So be clear to the instructor what your looking for. If he's a good instrucotr he should be able to either adjus t to what you wanting or at least thank you for your effort nad maybe suggest a diferent place that is mor ein line with what you looking for. Not every school is right for everyone.

zfolwick · 06-13-2007, 12:15 PM

are you *hurting*? Is there blood/bad bruises? It's gonna hurt a little (and it should), be safe, and have no problem with going 50% for technique, but also respect that you may be softer than them.

Are you the 155lber in a 220 lber club is going to get clobbered when connections are made.

I see hard hits as a sign that I need to STOP GETTING HIT.

But, always, safety first.

goldenarm66 · 06-13-2007, 06:21 PM

Talk to your instructor first and if he continues to give you the cold shoulder, then look for another gym. I hate it when instructors make you feel like they're doing you a favor by taking your cash and don't give you the time of day. It's a very discouraging experience for newbies and is bad business.

BrawlerFromHell · 06-13-2007, 08:04 PM

You could always go try out a different club if you've got any nearby and compare the two..

fennway4414 · 06-13-2007, 08:43 PM

I would definetly talk to the instructor first and let him know how you are feeling. Depending on what he says, and even more if he follows up on what he says, will dictate whether or not you should stay or go.

ssssmashing · 06-14-2007, 10:02 AM

Cat,
There could be a number of things going on. The first thing that I would say is evaulate your work. When you are in there are you really giving your all? As a teacher you can't give equal attention to everyone all the time. If someone is not working hard or really trying I am going to not give them as much effort. For example if your punches need work and I tell you to work on the bag until I tell you to stop, I better not see you leaning on the bag 2 minutes later.

There is also something that occurs in schools - if I am a student and you are a student and you are competing with me for my teacher's time and effort and I see that you are a slacker and not working, when we get in the ring I am going to test you: do you REALLY want to be doing this? If you don't really want to be then go home.

I am not saying that this is whats happening to you. I am just saying i have seen it happen. Talk to the instructor. At very least they should be watching out to ensure your safety.

Meatsack · 06-14-2007, 10:38 AM

As someone in a similar situation (been training boxing & wrestling a little over a month), I agree with ssssmashing's comment. The coach is there to teach whether you want to learn or not. As a new guy, I felt that I had to show that I really was there to LEARN. So, I ask questions. I listen to the criticisms and advice from the coach, and do my best to incorporate what he says. If I am struggling with something (i.e., finding range), I ask if/when we are going to work on that. I also go to open mats and work on those skills/techniques. I think it has paid off, and will continue to do so. Communicate, man. Good luck.

Meat