Boxing Training Tips You Can Use

Boxing Training Tips You Can Use

• Boxing, also known as ‘the sweet science’, may have taken a bit of a backseat to mixed martial arts over the past few years, but it will always be an important part of the combat arts. Boxing develops balance, speed, coordination and reflexes, and is a quality form of self-defense in most situations. Like all forms of combat, training is the name of the game when it comes to developing boxing skills.

Boxing Training Tips You Can Use

• Here are some boxing training tips you can use to improve your skills fast…

Keep It Basic

• At its core, boxing is anything but fancy and keeping it basic is one of the best pieces of advice you can follow in your training. Jabs, crosses, hooks, uppercuts, foot work and cardiovascular fitness are great places to start and to focus for the majority of your training. Simple concepts with simple exercises will yield big results.

Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel

• One way to keep your boxing training simple and get the results you want is to stick to the same types of exercises that boxers have been doing for decades. There will always be new and exciting exercises designed to make you a better boxer, but sticking with the tried and true moves is usually the way to go.

Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel

• Some of the ‘old school’ boxing training moves you should use include:

• Jogging – try for 3 to 5 miles at a steady pace at the start, then gradually increase your distance. Sprint at the end of each jog to improve your fitness even more. Jogging doesn’t require anything but some space and a decent pair of shoes.

Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel

• Jumping Rope – boxers have been jumping rope as long as there have been boxers. Skipping is a basic exercise using a very inexpensive piece of equipment, and it benefits the whole body. You can work on your foot work, stamina, coordination, balance, and strengthen your legs and shoulders all at the same time. If you get good, try turning the rope for two revolutions for every jump.

• • Shadow Boxing – this exercise simulates sparring with a partner,

only without an actual partner. You work on the same foot work and combinations, only your opponent is the air or your shadow.

Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel

• Bodyweight Calisthenics – these include push ups, sit ups and chin ups or pull ups for the most part. Utilizing your own bodyweight helps develop deep strength and still maintain flexibility without getting too bulky.

Proper Form

• One of the most important boxing training tips you can use is you maintain proper form at all times. No matter what exercise you are doing. Proper form with punches, combinations, foot work and all movements is essential. If you aren’t sure about the right form to use, ask your instructors, because bad habits are hard to break.

Condition Your Knuckles

• Pain in the knuckles when you punch is a common issue, but still one that you want to eliminate if it happens to you. Weak wrists is also a problem you want to avoid if at all possible. To help condition the knuckles and strengthen the wrists, find yourself a piece of wooden floor and assume the standard push up position, only on your knuckles.

Condition Your Knuckles

• Then, gently roll your fists inward, bring them back to the straight position and then roll them outward. Take your time, and do this movement regularly to toughen up those knuckles and wrists for powerful and pain-free punching.

Use the Whole Body for Power

• If you want those really powerful Mike Tyson kind of punches, it’s important to use your whole body and not just your arms when you’re learning to punch. Start the punches from the legs, pivot on your back foot for straight punches and drive through with your hip. Your punches should snap when they make contact. For hook punches and uppercuts, drive through with the legs and let all of the power in your body extend through your arm to deliver the punch.

Speed and Reflexes

• Naturally, speed and reflexes are critical when it comes to boxing, and using the speed bag and double-ended bag are good ways to keep them sharp. You can also try drills where a partner drops coins and you try to catch them before they hit the floor, or some variation to keep the reflexes sharp.

Work on Defense

• If you have a poor defense, you’ll never be a very good boxer. Defense is a crucial aspect of boxing, and you should spend a good portion of your training working on it. Always remain calm when sparring or in a bout, keep your hands high and elbows in, and use a good deal of head movement. It’s much more difficult to hit a moving target. Don’t forget to counter punch and never take your eyes off your opponent. Try to waste as little energy as possible.

Further Reading…

• Revolution MMA is Toronto’s #1 boxing training facility. Visit us today at 150 Lesmill Rd. in North York, ON, or stop by online at http://revmma.com/ to learn more about our boxing training programs and our world-class facility.