Relaxing the Shoulders

[Gutbuster]

I've got a tendency to tighten up a bit when throwing punches... even just on the heavybag. Does anyone have suggestions for ways to stay looser, especially in the shoulders? My coach said something about me trying to be too perfect and worrying about getting the technique right, but I'm not sure how to stop doing that... I don't really want to punch wrong on purpose...

[FeuerFrei]

When I feel my shoulders tightening up too much while I throw punches, I find it helpful to slow down and throw the punches in slow motion with perfect technique for awhile till the tension leaves. Then I'll gradually bring the pace back up to full speed.
I'll also just shimmy and shake out my shoulders a bit to loosen them up. That helps too. Just try not to let it become a habit in the ring.

[Scrap]

Make sure the elbows are resting on the body, so they have feel where they are. So the neurons for direction and speed know where they are going and where there starting. Stops the biomechanical confusion taking place Ive found, and dont drop the chin more than 15% thats a no no.

[Gutbuster]

Those sound like good suggestions. I'll give them a try tonight. Thanks and CCs

[Andre]

A good warm up by revolving arms both ways fast ,shake them out and loosen up , then stretch out your shoulders and back muscles by putting your hand down your back and lightly pulling your elbow down further with your other hand and lean over bodily to hold the stretch while you do it.
Then shake out the stretch ,revolve the joints again fast and then go nuts and throw bunches of punches in the air but practice not careing about them just go for wild speed and fun; do it on your own.
Then go and do bag work or turn up for sparrring and you'll be even looser to do what Scrap is telling you to do when thinking and throwing.

[Gutbuster]

I'm not sure I follow the hand down my back part. Is that over the back of the head and down the opposite side of the back? Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try those too.

I think the suggestions so far have been helpful when I think to do them.

[Andre]

Yeah opposite hand ,held flat onto your opposite shoulder blade over your head and pull down lightly on your elbow with your free hand until you stretch it out some.warm up your shoulder joints first with fast windmills both ways ,stretch it out ,and then lossen it all up with fast crazy air shots and you'll notice a difference.

[Bomp]

Also helps if you're not wearing tops that are tight round the shoulders, use vests or bagggy tops.

[Sharla]

Make sure the elbows are resting on the body, so they have feel where they are. So the neurons for direction and speed know where they are going and where there starting. Stops the biomechanical confusion taking place Ive found, and dont drop the chin more than 15% thats a no no.

What if you can't rest your elbows on your body (lats too wide)?

[Scrap]

Theres a few stretches that will sort the problem, shouldnt be a problem really.

[Sharla]

Right - well you probably busted me since I've been mostly concentrating on stretching my legs and lower back since I think most of my back pain and knee pain comes from there and I've been a bit slack stretching chest, lats and arms

It's so common to see people who can't touch their elbows to their body and I haven't been able to do it for years so I am really suprised to hear it's a sign of neglected, tied up muscles. I just thought I had a buff back

[donnydarkoIRL]

I know it sounds silly, but since i first read this post i feel so much better in combination punching and defence!!
I'm just leaving the shoulders nice and loose, only using them to load up in close,,but from a distance io feel my punch output is well up and speed is working nicely...