sparring
Boxing without stakes
Sparring is practice fighting—boxing, martial arts, or other combat sports conducted at reduced intensity for training rather than competition.
The fighters pull their punches, working on technique without trying to hurt each other.
Figuratively, sparring is any exchange of verbal jabs or mild conflict: The candidates sparred over tax policy.
A sparring partner is someone you regularly practice or argue with.
Combat sport using fists
- pugilismArt of fighting with fists
- ringClosed curve shape
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- headgearCoverings for the skull
mouthguard · punching · jab · hook · uppercut · clinching · counterpunch · shadowboxing
Martial art combining punches, leg strikes
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- karateJapanese unarmed combat discipline
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- jiujitsuJoint-lock martial art
grappling · wrestling · aikido · kungfu · capoeira · kicking · roundhouse · takedowns
Solid mass, or impede
- parryDefensive blade deflection
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- counterFlat service surface
- evasionAct of escaping detection
dodge · slip · roll · cover · shell · catch · deflect · footwork
Repeated work toward mastery
- drillsRepetitive training routines
- partnerOne who shares activity
- coachOne who instructs
- gymExercise facility
footwork · technique · timing · reflexes · endurance · stamina · cardio · conditioning
Formal argument on issues
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- back-and-forthAlternating reciprocal motion
exchange · jousting · wits · rhetoric · riposte · retort · disagreement · contention
Methods to achieve goals
- feintingDeceptive combat maneuver
- bobbingRhythmic vertical movement
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- pacingRate of movement
adaptation · setups · baiting · pressure · outfighting · infighting
Driven by rivalry
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- hardFirm or demanding
- controlledKept within limits
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
heated · aggressive · technical · playful · measured · spirited
Lacking mass or importance
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
- flyweightLightest boxing division
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
- middleweightAverage-mass fighter classification
welterweight · bantamweight · strawweight · cruiserweight · pugilist · division · weigh-in · matchup
boxing
Combat sport using fists
headgear · mouthguard · punching · jab · hook · uppercut · clinching · counterpunch · shadowboxing · speedbag
kickboxing
Martial art combining punches, leg strikes
- taekwondoKorean striking martial art
- karateJapanese unarmed combat discipline
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
jiujitsu · grappling · wrestling · aikido · kungfu · capoeira · kicking · roundhouse · takedowns · octagon
block
Solid mass, or impede
evasion · dodge · slip · roll · cover · shell · catch · deflect · footwork · angles
practice
Repeated work toward mastery
gym · footwork · technique · timing · reflexes · endurance · stamina · cardio · conditioning · warmup
debate
Formal argument on issues
back-and-forth · exchange · jousting · wits · rhetoric · riposte · retort · disagreement · contention · wordplay
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- feintingDeceptive combat maneuver
- bobbingRhythmic vertical movement
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
pacing · adaptation · setups · baiting · pressure · outfighting · infighting
competitive
Driven by rivalry
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- hardFirm or demanding
- controlledKept within limits
friendly · heated · aggressive · technical · playful · measured · spirited
lightweight
Lacking mass or importance
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
- flyweightLightest boxing division
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
middleweight · welterweight · bantamweight · strawweight · cruiserweight · pugilist · division · weigh-in · matchup
- fightingboxing, kickboxing, MMA, judo, karate
- combat sportsboxing, wrestling, MMA, judo, karate
- combat artssword fighting, swordfighting, boxing, wrestling, grappling
- combat drillsbayonet charge, combat stance, military drill, precision drill, basic training
- combat trainingbasic training, boot camp, combat drills, drills, drilling
- fighting formatsbout, boxing match, cage match, championship bout, death match
sparringagreeing
Sharing the same view
accord · harmony · agreement · cooperating · concurring
sparringmortal combat
Life-or-death fighting
the real thing · fighting to the death · title fight · street fight · war
sparringavoiding
Deliberately staying clear
withdrawing · retreating · disengaging · backing down · walking away
- sparring sessionPractice fighting with restraint
- sparring partnerPractice combat opponent
- verbal sparringCompetitive witty exchange
- sparring matchControlled combat for training
- sparring gearCombat practice protection
- sparring ringEnclosed area for combat practice