Focus pad training question

[morgan23]

Hi, I have just started boxing and am wondering the purpose of using 2 focus pads for learning to punch.

The trainer has asked our partner to hold a focus pad in each hand and we practice throwing combinations.

Are we meant to think of the focus pad as the target or as the finishing point?

I mean are we meant to think there is an invisible target before the pad, and the follow through ends up at the pad?

As orthodox, it has got me use to throwing a jab to my right, and throwing a cross to my left, instead of aiming for a target which is strait in front of me.

Thanks

-morgan23

[Chris Nagel]

Mainly the pads is for a good trainer to work with their fighter hands-on and teach them how punch properly. It's easier to correct mistakes, because the trainer is right there in front of the fighter telling him if he's doing it fine, or if he needs to make any adjustments. It's purpose should be help a fighter to get their technique right, and with the trainer giving them instance feedback as needed.

You don't need to hit the pads very hard, simply work on different situations with a trainer and focus on standing properly and hitting right. For those who don't agree, there are better ways to work on hitting harder.

[Youngblood]

Pretty much what Chris said. As well, are good for warm up and down too in training. Good cardio.

They are also a great tool for introducing new things, or changing habits or form. Say for eg. you want to break a bad habit down, and relearn a new technique, often it begins on the focus pads. Last year I had to completly relearn my left hook. So this meant also how it worked into various combinations. So the process begins on the pads, retraining those muscles, tendons, and over all memory there first with a coach overseeing it usually, then shadowboxing, then bringing that into sparring, to eventually have that change be effective when competing.

The pads are a important tool in boxing training, although often misused imo.

[morgan23]

I mean when someone is holding a pad in each hand, the jab lands on the pad to the right, and cross lands on pad to the left (orthodox)

Is that when you imagine a target in the middle and use the pads as the follow through for "punching through the target"

[Youngblood]

I mean when someone is holding a pad in each hand, the jab lands on the pad to the right, and cross lands on pad to the left (orthodox)

Is that when you imagine a target in the middle and use the pads as the follow through for "punching through the target"

If your coach knows what he is doing, just make contact, don't worry about going through the target. No need to imagine anything. It is just about mechanics.

[morgan23]

Yeah, the "coach" just says to hit the pads using certain punches, then we partner up and take it in turns of holding pads and punching.

[Youngblood]

Yeah, the "coach" just says to hit the pads using certain punches, then we partner up and take it in turns of holding pads and punching.

This isn't unusual, especially if you are beginning. Would be nice to have a coach for every person at all times, but unrealistic. They are just getting you used to throwing. Only thing I'd say to watch out for is being partnered up with someone who holds them too far apart, often if new themselves for fear of being hit in the face accidentally.

[cocobeware]

If i underatand correctly i think you are asking why not just use one pad instead of two.I understand where you are coming from as it would seem more realistic like someones head.I have seen a lot of coaches that still do only use one pad for straight punches and maybee some will mix it up and use both ways,But i think the purpose of using two pads like that teaches you to properly shift youre weight into the punches almost like exagerating the movment and maybee help you to understand the body mechanics better.although you dont want them to far apart i think most good coaches bring them to the centre to catch youre punches anyway.
Thats what i think anyway but im no expert i could be wrong.