Where to look while sparring/ fighting?

[Dawn-nightmarex]

I hear that looking at the chest is best. Say for example if I am looking to punch my opponent in the face. Should I look away from his chest and switch to his face before I punch, or would I keep my eyes on chest at all times, using peripheral vision even when punching the face/body? I find that the chest makes it easy to read movements. This is probably a dumb question I’m probably overthinking, but just wondering.

[Get em up]

I used to train with a mexican guy we called Chewy and he was a tough cookie to crack. He used peripheral vision while fighting and it would throw you off. He had incredible reflexes and made it work for him. My point being do what works best for you. There is no perfect answer or method IMO. Every fighter is different and finding that sweet spot that works for you may be your best bet.

[ShoulderRoll]

I've seen video of Teddy Atlas saying to look at the chest. And video of Roger Mayweather saying to look at the eyes.

This is just something you'll have to experiment with. Use sparring as a laboratory and try different ways, learn by doing and see what works best for you.

[HtotheZ]

Either Chest or Eyes

I always preferred chest though because I found it easier to keep track of the movement in both shoulders. Also, eventually you'll get to a point where everyone is more pokerfaced which makes it harder to expect shots

[Lucky86]

I think chest is the standard answer it’s easy to see where their head is and I think you get a better read when they are starting to punch.

[OctoberRed]

I have a habit of look at shoulders.

[ShoulderRoll]

“Never close your eyes; no matter what kind of a punch is coming at you, and no matter what kind of a punch you are throwing. Keep your eyes riveted on his left fist.

After you develop the habit of watching punches, you'll discover that even though your eyes are focused on one threatening fist, you'll be noting from the corners of your eyes every other move your opponent is making.”

-Jack Dempsey

[Rockin']

Look directly in to the middle of his chest. You'll see his hands and you see his feet. And you know where his head, but you can see that too. Peripheral vision .......Rockin'

[OctoberRed]

Look directly in to the middle of his chest. You'll see his hands and you see his feet. And you know where his head, but you can see that too. Peripheral vision .......Rockin'

Better than looking at Anorak's face, that's for sure

[dreamroom]

Look directly in to the middle of his chest. You'll see his hands and you see his feet. And you know where his head, but you can see that too. Peripheral vision .......Rockin'

This is what I do, mostly. My eyes are always on his upper chest, just below his neck, but I don’t focus on it. I’m conscious of his shoulders and hips. I drill constantly on keeping my chin tucked, eyes on upper midline chest , and heel toe alignment. Doesn’t matter what I’m doing, sparring, heavy bag, reflex bag, I picture his chest.