Sparring Fundamentals + Basic Strategy

Sparring "Fundamentals" means working on five main things.
1. Protect Chin = Stance+Pace.  Feet wider than shoulders, chin down, layback so you can see,  protect chin =  lift lead shoulder to protect chin on that side, lift rear hand, run thumb along jaw bone to protect the other side,  lift lead hand to centre to protect butt of chin. Pace between lead and rear foot to keep fluid.

2. Get Eye level or lower to ensure your reach is at it's maximum and chin is protected.
3. Observation= chin / centre line pro-actively focusing on your target and their centre will ensure you stay offensive and see all attacks. "when/where can I hit them".
4. Aim: Use lead hand to  gauge range .  Be it on the front or back foot this will massively aid your ability to  hitt without overcommitting.  

5. Get Shoulders through on all punches. To protect your chin and make your punches harder.

When it gets easy to not get hit and harder to find shots you are both working your fundamentals better. Move on to

Basic Boxing Strategy: 

1. Combinations to try and create wholes. Use 2s and 3s initially, remember to punch where the whole in the guard is. Head? Body? Left? Centre? Or Right? (this is why its so important to be observant when drilling the "four punch drill"). Then as you get the better of them increase combos to 3s, 4s and more..

Note: as much as possible try to be in the moment and punch where the hole is. But you may have a couple of go-to combos if flustered.
131(final jab landing down the centre after left hook moving their guard),
123 (the left hook landing around the back of the ear after jab and right bring guard foward)
125 (the left uppercut landing up the middle when jab and right widen the guard a little
112 (the right hand landing on the left side of the face where the jabs have cleared the guard)
223/5 (the left hook/UC landing down the centre after the righthands widening the left guard.

2. Hit where the hole is Head or Body (left/centre/right?)