Also, do you just ask other members to spar you.
If you break it down Sparring has to be divided into a few phases in MMA training
Stand Up
Ground
Full MMA
in each case there are specified levels of intensity and gear requirements for safety,
Stand Up sparring will be a combination of K1 rules Kickboxing (Muay Thai essentially with elbows omitted)with added room for takedowns and throws , sometimes there will be an emphasis after the takedown of securing top position and pinning the opponent or if you are the person taken down getting back to your feet , gear requirements involve a mouth piece, a cup, handwraps, 14-16 oz Boxing gloves,Shin Pads and headgear ,and sometimes knee pads at people's preference, the intensity can range from 70 to 100 % power as regards strikes
Ground Sparring ,will usually either start standing to allow for takedowns and throws or in pre set positions , on the ground it allows for use of pinning and transitional techniques , as well as the use and defense of Submissions and strikes(again for safety elbows usually omitted), gear requirements involve a mouth piece, a cup, handwraps, and 4-6 oz MMA sparring gloves,the intensity can range from 30 to 50 % power as regards strikes
Full MMA sparring is a combination of both, you'll be starting standing and using full MMA rules as regards an amateur level( usually just the omission of elbows and heel hook submissions) gear requirements involve a mouth piece, a cup, handwraps, 6 oz MMA sparring gloves,Shin Pads , headgear and knee pads at people's preference,though personally with the smaller the gloves one should usually wear headgear, if without ensure a proper warm up build a good sweat and rub some vaseline on your face to avoid cuts, the intensity can range from 50 to 80 % power as regards strikes
Outside of these forms of sparring as the pretext of MMA ,some clubs will just use methods like No Gi Jiu Jitsu sparring , which is like ground sparring without strikes or gloves , and K1 Kickboxing Sparring for stand up but without takedowns and throws , this is usually because they rarely train in the context of MMA and instead more frequently train in it's closely associated disciplines, Boxing ,BJJ,Wrestling,Muay Thai,Kickboxing etc.this is a method of cross training and because of this people will spar almost every night but in different disciplines and different intensities at the discretion of the coach in charge
With regards beginners , sparring usually won't happen for a few weeks because of a lack of technique or control, with ground techniques most beginners aren't used to it so they will be like a fish out of water and the added use of submissions with them is dangerous as they desperately try to secure the submission without any regard to remaining calm and securing position to set up the submission so they may inadvertently crank submissions , with regards to stand up a lack of technique stems from no rhythm, timing or defense so beginners tend to swing for the fences to land a strike again fish out of water experience because it takes a long while to get used to getting hit and not losing your head over it ,being able to recover and set up a plan in a matter of seconds takes months to years to get into your system
We spar twice a month, light contact. No you don't they are preset by the coach.
If so, are you supposed to go all out.
Also, do you just ask other members to spar you.
