Where do you look when you are sparring?

Some people look in the eyes, some the shoulders, some the body. Comment below with your preference. Do you think about how narrow your vision is?
Look your opponent in the eyes for psychological information when boxing. Some fighters prefer to look at the shoulders. I sometimes stare just beside my opponent's body to keep them in my peripheral vision..
Your coach: World Savate Champion 2014 James Southwood.
Train with me in London: londonsavate.c...
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[@GBSavate]

I was always too busy looking at the reflection of myself.... good video and some interesting idea's, well done.

[@LondonSavate]

Thanks Ross. It was actually you who told me from the corner once, in Spain, to stare my opponent in the eyes from the moment I got into the ring, to make him nervous, and it worked ;)

[@martinomalley3096]

Great video James. And as always excellent advice. The third option is one I never thought of.

[@LondonSavate]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful Martin. Always aiming to unearth the ideas others haven't thought of yet :)

[@pomade34]

Interesting !

[@LondonSavate]

Glad you think so!

[@CMLew]

I tend to try to look at the chin/neck area and then trust my peripheral vison. However I still occasionally have a habit of looking at the body part I am about to strike before striking which gives the game away.

[@LondonSavate]

Could you use the last habit as a way to feint?

[@CMLew]

@@LondonSavate If done intentionally absolutely. But it needs to be done with intent not by mistake. Same as dropping ones hands and having an open guard.

[@Darren_Tay]

I got a question. The kicks are supposedly toe based because of hard boots and that sounds reasonable. But why would they punch instead of palm strike? In the streets, you don't have gloves and even great boxers like Mike Tyson broke his hands doing that. Is it just because of the sport aspects?

[@LondonSavate]

Hi Darren, great question. In my videos I talk about Savate the sport, and the boxing element of Savate is - historically and in current rules - from English boxing, pugilism, which uses knuckles and gloves, since Marquis of Queensbury. We use toes, yes, but the boots aren't *that* hard, we want to fight without too much damage, even in combat (full contact).

[@Darren_Tay]

@@LondonSavate This is where I get confused cuz I always thought Savate was more for street than sports. At least that's what most practioners claim is the reasoning for some of the historical things being implemented into their martial art.

[@LondonSavate]

@@Darren_Tay yes, there is a noticeable divide between those who incorporate historical Savate into their self-defence systems, and those who practise the sport. In Europe, at least, the sport has a far greater following so that is arguably now the mainstay of what Savate means.