What to do when swarmed in sparring?

I am still very amateur -> intermediate in terms of ability, but I have been working on this as well.

The whole cutting angle and foot work stuff is extremely advanced, and in most cases, especially in lower level sparring, the constant cutting of angles will just tire you out while they just turn and continue to come forward.

For me, two things have worked:

1. Allow no more than 3 blows, at which point, counter to disrupt the flow. For example, if they are coming in to throw hooks and uppercuts, make sure to throw a hard straight or body hook once they throw their second or third strike to disrupt their flow. Then move.

2. Low kick. Really that simple for this one. Constant forward pressure requires a heavier weight balance in the lead leg, meaning they will not be able to check your kicks. A lead leg sweep at their front ankle as they’re striking will off balance them 9/10 times. Ognjen Topic does this well. Might’ve butchered his first name..

You are correct, if you just shell up you are going to get eaten alive. You have got to fight back. Your feet are just as important as your hands in these sports. Move out of distance (not backwards, but laterally. Think like a semi-circle) or exchange shots back. Throw teap kicks to keep distance. Throw *something*. Don't throw wild shit just to do it, but you have to make him not want to be as close as he is to you to strike you.

Try circling the person and use their aggressive momentum against them. Depending on the height difference I've had success standing a bit closer to them.

This was your first full on sparring session, there is going to be a learning curve. When being swarmed, try to use more movement as opposed to a strong guard and standing in place. Its nerve racking as those strikes are coming at you the first few sessions and you eventually learn to deal with it more effectively.

Something really important that I don’t see anyone saying. Don’t ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone to take it down a notch or 2. Everyone learns in slightly different ways. It should be sparring but always a learning experience.

If they are taller than you get inside if you are close enough for your punches to hit properly theirs are going to be pitiful I used to fight much taller opponents a lot. A technique I used was find a distance with jab where if was just missing quickly switch stance by pivoting forward on your right foot into unorthudox this closes the distance nicely makes them defend and from here you are on the inside and can switch back. Cause a break in the fight to set it up clinch and turn, try and throw them, if your are being overwhelmed clinching is great to bring the speed of the fight down, if knees are a problem in the clinch get your shin and press it against the top of there legs that stops knees, gives you much more control. Never let them get far away if there is a corner get them in it and keep them there. Unfortunately the smaller you are the more work you have to do. But if you do it right then you completely pick apart the strategy of them keeping you at distance throwing heavy punches and kicks as they do nothing at shorter distances.

From what I learned today (got to spar against better people today), when they go more aggressive, don't shell up. Disrupt them, don't let them do everything to you while just blocking. Teeps, knees when they get too close to you, everything you can. Keep calm though, don't go full random punches etc because that certainly didn't help in my case. Focus and don't do an awkward kick or anything, focus on good hits and kicks and if u want to do a kick but it feels too rushed etc.. Don't do it, u got time to position the kick better