What to do when you've fallen in love with power?

[greynotsoold]

I think that, if you are in shape and your technique is good, you can't help but punch hard all the time. Which isn't to say that you set down and really turn on every punch. Watch the 2nd round of Arguello/Rooney; Arguello is countering with combinations, and every punch is hard, then he sets down on that last right hand.
Can you tell me what you hope to accomplish by throwing a lot of fast, 'flicking' punches? When you punch you are vulnerable to being countered, so why risk yourself to throw something irrelevant? Why do you believe that fast and hard are mutually exclusive? There is no reason, none at all, why that should be true. Also, in my estimation, if you are countering (executing a defensive move and punching back) effectively, with hard punches that are landing accurately, you're far ahead of way you would be throwing a bunch of punches, just for the sake of throwing them.
Now, if what you are doing is ignoring defense and taking punches to trade punches in the belief that simply punching harder will win out, then that needs to be addressed. But even then the answer probably isn't flicking punches or dancing about (in other words, robbing yourself of your ability to punch hard).
Try incorporating something like this into every aspect of your workouts: instead of wading into the heavy bag and throwing hard punches, imagine an opponent and what he is doing, how your are going to get in, what punches you'll throw, and then how you'll get out. Start working out in your mind what punches in a combination are going to be thrown harder (though none should be 'pitty-pat'), which will just be sharp.
I'm making a mess of this but what I'm getting at is that you need to train your mind to vary your approach and your tactics, because your body will follow that lead. If you traing on the bag just to lay in and punch you'll do it whether you punch hard or slap.

[WayneFlint]

I agree with all posts so far, balance/good technique is one in the same, it is what we strive for, balance is control and speed and power all in one.

[Andre]

You are right you dont have to throw every shot with all the power you got. That is over commitment and easier to counter. You dont take everything you do in training into the ring with you. My suggestion could well be wrong Im not sure to be honest, but I wasnt suggesting free flow to do in the ring for no reason. I was thinking more along the lines that speed does equal power if it has intention and correct technique on it. Just as power equals less speed if it has over intention and bad technique. None are correct but they are opposites, I wonder if one can balance the other out?

If it really is a habit, material habits are tough to break with thoughts alone, Im wondering how you could counter balance that by an action to practice out of the ring that your mind will grasp to bring you back in balance? There has to be one surely? I mean skipping is of benefit to footwork and fitness and coordination but we dont skip step into the ring either.

[Scrap]

Theres some very good Propreception stuff can be done Andre.