You can learn how to kick, punch, parry, block and, how to make different moves. That is great. Now the question is whether you can learn martial arts without sparring or not.

![why sparring is so important.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmd6RqYfSwppd2CChPbsu1Rawuqzs5mAYdEtuXtzQfhuqc/why%20sparring%20is%20so%20important.jpg)
<sub>[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/mma-mixed-martial-arts-shooto-japan-1309151/)</sub>

You can learn different moves without sparring. To learn the basic punches or kicks, you do not need to do sparring. But how do you know what you are learning will work in a fight?

You need to fight to figure it out. That's why when you learn martial arts, it is so important to do sparring with your training partner that you cannot ignore it. If you want to learn how to cook, you can read the book or watch the video, but you are not going to learn how to do it unless you cook.

Likewise, when you learn any technique and you want to know how to apply it in a fight or for self defense, you can do sparring. Sparring is not an actual fight. It is a practice to test your skills and learn how to put it into action what you are learning.

![Sparring with training partner.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmegVDxDPUkcdDEyJGsbx95H5zmi4daEzbAN268iZPWp1F/Sparring%20with%20training%20partner.jpg)
<sub>[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/mma-bjj-jiujitsu-grappling-1575852/)</sub>

If you punch and kick on your own, you will never know what it feels like unless you spar. If you never hit something, do you think you can make your move for self defense when the time comes? When you have to fight for self defense, you will not remember everything. What you learn and practice over and over, you can do it. 

Someone can attack you and sometimes it happens so fast that you do not have the time to think. You have to act fast, otherwise, you cannot protect yourself. If you get used to sparring and doing it over and over, you do not need to think,  you will do it automatically.

Of course, you can use a kick bag or punching bag to practice, but a punching bag and kick bag never hit back. 

When you do sparring, you condition your hands and legs. You know how to take a hit, and fight back instantly. You can understand your opponent's movement. And it is very important. When you see what your opponent is about to do, you can make your move to defend or counter-attack.

So what you do think about sparring? Please feel free to express your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you so much for reading this post.

Stay safe. Always be happy!