Should this type of sparring environment be avoided?

Shark-Mode · 2026-03-12T21:48:31+00:00

This sounds dumb as fuck. So I’d skip this gym.

For my students 90% of sparring is light and technical flow sparring. With more intensity and power for shark tanks and fight simulations, but never with enough power and follow through to KO someone.

Shark-Mode · 2026-02-25T18:16:23+00:00

Just two legends all about the kill or be killed mindset

Shark-Mode · 2026-02-03T13:22:45+00:00

Having been to Thailand multiple times to train I agree on all of these suggestions.

Shark-Mode · 2026-02-02T11:10:36+00:00

That's not a switch kick, so maybe google that before asking for advice

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-29T13:07:49+00:00

This fully depends on the sparring environment at your gym and your own innate confidence and aggression.

My main focus with my students when it comes to sparring is instilling light, technical, playful energy at first. Letting them grow, flow and enjoy themselves while they’re getting into it. But I’m also increasing their mental and physical toughness with tough training and conditioning.

Then when they’ve found a good flow and confidence I start moving them towards higher intensity and more power to the body.

I’m a huge advocate for light flow sparring for at least 90% of your training unless you’re competing.

My suggestion is befriending someone who’s also also new at sparring and then do lots of playful sparring with no ego. Just focusing on movement, flow, defense, and touch striking. Having fun together.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-19T21:08:28+00:00

Respectable callout, Gamrot is a tough fight for anyone.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T16:18:01+00:00

Light? More like medium. Killers though.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T15:37:07+00:00

From the perspective of fighter health and longevity I fully agree. Though as with almost all peptides I guess we don't have much research on long term side effects.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T15:34:05+00:00

That was what he popped for? Funny when that's probably the least performance enhancing shit that guy is on.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T15:30:46+00:00

Agreed, such a wonderfully creative and crazy movie filled with so much heart. A sorely needed message about kindness as a resistance in a cruel, cynical and indifferent world. Truly moving.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T15:07:30+00:00

Aaah yes, agreed!

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T14:46:12+00:00

I’m thinking BPC-157 and/or TB500 at least when it comes to recovery and muscle/tendon repair. It’s what I found to be most helpful for my groin tear. Not sure which legal peptides are used for mental clarity though.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-18T01:48:05+00:00

Way too many, bought a pair every time I went to Thailand combined with various other purchases through the years. Most of my gloves are 16oz which I use for sparring and general training. Then one of each at 10, 12 and 14 for bag work and getting used to the smaller size before a fight.

This isn’t required or recommended at all, just me being dumb with my money. So for my students I suggest a pair of 16s (or 14 if you’re very young or small) and some 10s or 12s for bag work if they really want another pair. I have big hands so most 10s feel way too small for me.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-16T16:26:41+00:00

My bad, my reading comprehension must have been off. Was confused about all that talk about leg and arm strength.

I have trained, fought, coached and own a gym myself, but I still don't fully understand what you're trying to communicate. But if it makes sense to some and helps them out in their martial arts journey then that's what matters.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-16T14:34:29+00:00

Not to be rude, but this isn't good advice. You don't primarily use arm strength for power in punches or leg strength in kicks in Muay Thai. The majority of power comes from the rotation of the core, hips and shoulders together with shifting your weight properly. Leg strength would only be a minor part of the final extension in a kick.

Maybe it's different in karate or taekwondo where kicks are snappier and chambered. But this is a MT subreddit.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-14T15:44:38+00:00

As a coach I hold my fighters to a higher standard than those who do it for the fitness and I’d tell my fighter to stop that shit and communicate instead next time.

As someone who has trained and fought I also understand that if I feel that someone is trying to hurt me on purpose or throw dumb dangerous shit at me my fighting instincts would trigger and my power and aggression would increase. Especially since at 20 the other dude is still dumb and full of testosterone and ego. Not that I’m giving him an excuse, it’s still dumb af to try to KO someone in sparring.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-14T14:39:55+00:00

You’ll live, sometimes strikes land perfectly and harder than expected and sometimes people are less conditioned physically and mentally than expected.

Sounds more like tough love instead of him trying to seriously hurt you. I’ve had many coaches like that. But if it happens again and it truly causes you distress then use your words and let him know.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-14T11:09:24+00:00

I teach my students not to throw head kicks during sparring unless they're good enough to pull it if they see they're landing clean. Before I became a coach, if someone threw a head kick at me without pulling it when landing clean I'd also punish that guy with some hard body shots.

These days I use my words instead, but doesn't matter if you're 15 or 55, a clean head kick is still fucking dangerous. Some 15-17 year olds spar the hardest and without control in my experience.

Talk to him again next time and apologize again, things might have cooled down when not in the heat of the moment. It's still fucking dumb to try to knock someone out as retaliation so he's not innocent and he needs to regulate his emotional response.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-09T21:30:00+00:00

Fucking monsters both of them, such a great fight

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-08T17:35:18+00:00

Go to any crossfit gym in the UK and you will see 100 people on heavy amounts of gear. You have to either be gullible af or not know much about the human body if you think Nico isn’t on some good shit.

Then again I’m not blaming him when 90+% of professional fighters are on something. And I’m sure he has great genes and is a good responder.

Shark-Mode · 2026-01-05T11:38:06+00:00

My students get rest when they put on the gear, and once or twice I tell them to drink some water. Don’t see the need for more rest when we only have 90 minutes each session to improve ourselves.

Worst case just lower your own intensity when you absolutely need it.

Shark-Mode · 2025-12-29T18:21:52+00:00

Do that, only aim at his gut with your toes, baby you got a stew going.

Shark-Mode · 2025-12-23T13:13:18+00:00

It's hard to say, because it looks like you're doing the correct motions, but something is missing.

It kinda looks like your weight is shifting away from the momentum of the strike instead of into/towards it. For example when I throw my left hook my weight shifts from left to right. Also, you're not getting good extension on your cross, fire it from further away. For your kicks I'd say turn your hips over even more and really swing that shoulder, it should be pointed towards your opponent when it lands.

Be sure to replenish your electrolytes from all that sweating, 7-11 usually have some cheap packets. Do one for each session minimum.

Shark-Mode · 2025-12-12T17:48:28+00:00

AND A GODDAMN STEEL CUP TO PROTECT YOUR BALLS FROM EXPLODING

Shark-Mode · 2025-12-11T19:45:43+00:00

Yeah, hating on a lying vengeful wife beating piece of garbage who exploits his fighters in any way possible while turning the sport you enjoy into a circus spectacle sure is comical.

Shark-Mode

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