Different / Alternate Training Ideas

[Douglas]

A great way to test your technique while sparring or punching the heavybag is to set up a video cam and tape yourself, and when you watch the tape, you can see your mistakes.
(If it's your 1st time, you will find a shitload of mistakes)

[Chris Nagel]

Lights, camera, action...

A great way to test your technique while sparring or punching the heavybag is to set up a video cam and tape yourself, and when you watch the tape, you can see your mistakes.
(If it's your 1st time, you will find a shitload of mistakes)

Upping the ante a little more, solo training exercise number two requires a TV. This particular drill takes the dynamics of shadow boxing to another level with the incorporation of "outside" visual stimuli and unpredictability. Here's what you do. Watch any boxing match on TV/Video and while doing so, strictly focus on one combatant, assume the role of the other fighter in your mind, and interactively shadow box him as he is fighting the other guy. You can work on the full spectrum of boxing skills with this exercise as well as isolate any particular element you'd like. In keeping with your inquiry, just isolate this exercise to work your defense only. Take note, one problem with this exercise is that your opponent is not front-facing as he would actually be. This can be a disorienting element for some. With that said, take this drill for what it can improve--recognition and reaction time development.

Alrighty, the final solo training exercise I'm gonna share requires a bit more time and effort to set up but is probably the best drill you can do to improve punch recognition, reaction time, and defensive timing all by yourself. Videotape yourself throwing front-facing punches at the camera (better yet, have a friend do it so you can incorporate more footwork). Start by following the same protocol I delineated for shadow boxing. Staying on track with defensive skill development, make videos that isolate each punch individually, both to the head and body. Initially film them rhythmically then progress to off-rhythm cadences, culminating with videos that incorporate all the punches coming at you head and body in free-form fighting fashion. For instance, have a friend film you strictly throwing jabs to the head at the camera. Begin with a rhythmic cadence with a sufficient time lag in between to allow you to work on single shots deliberately. From there, you can film yourself throwing single jabs to the head in faster frequency. You can proceed with double jabs integrating them with single jabs and doing so first with rhythm, ascending to off-rhythm, isolating head and body then integrating head and body shots together. Do this with each punch then integrate them all together. Anyway, use the videos you film to interactively train and fight yourself. So, after you make your videos, put 'em in, stand in front of your TV, and interactively fight yourself. In this case, practice your defenses against your video-persona throwing punches at you.

[Chris Nagel]

Jabbing technique:

To stop the elbow lifting with your jab, stand with your left shoulder against the wall, in the boxing stance throwing the jabalong the wall .You will feel it in your shoulder after about a minute, relax, then have a rest, then do it again. This will help the muscle imbalance you have in your shoulder, And help your muscle memory

[Chris Nagel]

Oral Perception, speed and awareness:

Ill give you a cracker, but you must have the basics before trying it you also need a partner of the same or simular standard. Get two valcro headbands and 4ft of elastic rope tie the velcro to the headbands, then each of you put them on. the secret is to always have tension on the rope and both move with your eyes shut. At first there will be a few problems with distance but given time it will give unbelievable awareness and speed, also oral perception its a cracker.

[Chris Nagel]

Blocking Bodyshot Drill:

One way you can try but you need a partner. Get the partner to get 2 towels and put knots in the ends of both then holding them in either hand get him to try and hit you with the knots good fun teaches you the principle without the pain take it in turns

[Chris Nagel]

Squating Exercise:

A nice one, get a fit ball put it behind you against a wall the centre of your back near the bottom of your back. Put your feet 9ins in front of you with your toes on a bit of 3x2 wood so the heels are lower than the toes by 2ins. Now drop the knees an inch every 10 secs until you reach the sitting position then come up using the same technique 5 times. The 3x2 is important it protects your cruciats its a nice one . Or use a skate board instead of the Ball.

[Chris Nagel]

Trainer Mannie Seamon described a rather unusual training technique which Benny Leonard employed to help hone his celebrated defense:

“He was a fast boxer, so as to keep up his speed I used to put two boys in the ring with him together. He either jabbed one and watched the other, or feinted one and jabbed the other. If one missed him, and they often did, he knew he could take care of the other.”