The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SPAR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
P
A
R
More clues leading to the result SPAR
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Practise fighting" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case practise fighting = spar.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SPAR mean?
SPAR noun- A rafter of a roof.
- A thick pole or piece of wood.
- A bar of wood used to fasten a door.
- Any linear object used as a mast, sprit, yard, boom, pole or gaff.
- A beam-like structural member that supports ribs in an aircraft wing or other airfoil.
- To bolt, bar.
- To supply or equip (a vessel) with spars.
- A sparring session; a preliminary fight, as in boxing or cock-fighting.
- To fight, especially as practice for martial arts or hand-to-hand combat.
- To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
- To contest in words; to wrangle.
- Any of various microcrystalline minerals, of light, translucent, or transparent appearance, which are easily cleft.
- Any crystal with readily discernible faces.