Head Tilting

[The Student]

Hey guys,

The other day I was doing some mitt work with my trainer and he noticed that I constantly keep my head tilted.

.. he simply told me to cut it out and keep my head straight... simple enough, but I think it's become a habit, after a few seconds my head starts tilting to the left again.

From my understanding of it, this is no good for balance.

Any exercises or ideas I can use to try and break that habit?

[HerbM]

It will adversely affect your balance and your movement.

It diminishes (or destroys if excessive) your spinal alignment and your posture. Much of your balance is dependent on your eye sight (line) matching your inner ear -- this doesn't work as automatically when you head is tilted, especially if you are moving, more especially if you are turning while moving.

Your spinal alignment is related directly to your strength for reasons I don't fully understand but have seen repeatedly demonstrated.

Having bends in your spine create "moments of inertia" that increase the difficulty of all your turning (and stopping) movements -- think of an ice skater that spins faster by pulling in the hands and making a nice tall compact form.

Typically, BOXERS make one compromise with the head by tilting it VERY slightly forward to tuck in the chin and help avoid knock out blows but even that should likely be done mostly by raising the back-crown of the head rather than putting the chin down on the chest.

[The Student]

Thanks for the info Herb.

Now, I really need to work on fixing that head. I dont know what caused it, I think I started doing it, to sort of tuck my chin behind left shoulder, not sure.

[Andre]

What happens when you shadow box in the reverse stance? Is your head on the reverse tilt or is it straight then?

[The Student]

I just stood up and tried to shadow box in a south paw stance in front of a mirror... My head does seem pretty much straight, but I psychologically feel like if i start tilting it to the left I will be more comfortable.

When I switch over to orthodox, my head starts tilting almost immediately, unless I consciously stop myself from doing it.

in fact.. I think this issue may go beyond boxing, as I feel like my head is slightly tilted to the left as I'm typing...

[Scrap]

Sounds pretty much as though youve got a hip and groin problem, it happens more than you think. Espeicialy if youre dominant one side.Have a look at your Trainers see if the Heel soles are the same or different.

[The Student]

Sounds pretty much as though youve got a hip and groin problem, it happens more than you think. Espeicialy if youre dominant one side.Have a look at your Trainers see if the Heel soles are the same or different.

I'm right eye dominant.

and as far as my shoes are concerned, the left heel appears to be more worn out than the right.

(the shoes are not used solely for boxing though)

[HerbM]

If it is happen separate from boxing it may well be what Scrap suggests (in general): You have a title in your hips or spine, probably lower down.

Funny thing is if you hips or low back tilts right (or left) then your mid-back must tile the opposite way, but then your upper spine will be not be VERTICAL so you head will either be tilted or you will have a kink in the cervical neck area to straighten you head.

Chiropractors are really good at dealing with such issues. Try to find one that a) other athletes respect and/orb) is also a SPORTS THERAPIST (some interesting percentage have this other qualification.)

If you sight line is tilted it is going to make balance harder to maintain (not impossible, but you don't need the extra issues).

Balance is a (very ) complicated coordination between inner ear (simple balance, up/down), proprioception (joint position/tension etc), feel (pressure on your feet etc), and sight.

Sight is a VERY big part of balance -- this is the reason that people get seasick, airsick, and carsick etc. [When your sight and other balance senses disagree your body makes the assumption that you have been POISONED by a "central nervous system" poison so it causes you to vomit -- long ago, that is about the only thing that would cause such a discrepancy and if you were poisoned there is NO TIME to waste in removing the poison from your gut.]

--
Herb

[The Student]

Thanks for the info Herb, but unfortunately there is no way i can afford to go see a chiropractor. So I guess I'll have to wait and see what the future holds for me.

As far as balance is concerned.. my personal impression was that my balance is not too bad. I wouldnt call it great either... also soo far, i've never had issues with getting seasick, carsick or airsick.

[HerbM]

I can readily understand about costs. Do what you are able.

Didn't mean to imply you might get more easily motion sick, just using that as an example of the complicated interplay of systems that join forces to create what we call 'balance' -- not a simple sense.

No matter how good (or not) your balance, it will likely not be AS GOOD as it CAN BE without holding good posture.

(There is also the mechanics of turning, a separate but important reason for getting your head straight.)

So no chiropracter -- try to do exercises that will naturally align, straighten, and strengthen your back and neck:

Pull ups, and just HANGING from the bar can help align your spine.

Stretches and yoga can help too.

Trapping a tennis ball (or similar) against a wall with your back and MASSAGING DEEPLY into any tight or painful areas can help release muscle spasms, tightness, entrapment etc. Same with putting the ball on the floor and lying on top of it. Grinding it into the stiff spots.

Also, if you have one of those foam "yoga rollers" (like a 6 inch cylinder) you can lie on it and help your back re-align.

Likely Scrap knows some more stuff to get your spine aligned without having to pay someone.

[The Student]

yea, I hear you. I can definitely work on my posture.

and I agree that me improving my posture will most definitely further improve my balance.

I'm going to try some of the thing you said as well as continually work on my posture in and out of the ring.

Thank you for your advice Herb, its much appreciated.