Speeding up those combos

[HerbM]

I just had de ja vu, reading that post Herb

Yes, computer was running slow and I thought it didn't post, so I hit the button a second time.

(you should look into training [if it interests you], you have a strong ability to explain things and seem to have a good grasp on learning theories)

Thanks for the kind words. I do lead a couple of training groups. But rather than boxing we study self-defense type combat arts: Tom Sotis' AMOK! (knife method) and Combat Systema (under Kevin Secours ICSA), as well as Guided Chaos practice.

The material from "The Talent Code" ("Bounce" etc) is very important to all who want to coach others or themselves (we are really all our own coaches.)

[boxer777]

Really good advice so far. A couple of basic things that might help are saving the power for the last punch in the combo. Something that I can be guilty of is trying to make every punch a knock out punch - but that just ends up making you too tight and gas very quickly. One more great tip I saw in a Tony Blauer Instructional DVD was to work on the balance of every stage of a combo. For example the 1-2-hook the balance is often lost between the cross and the hook . so to improve the fluidity of that part of the combo, you can extent your right arm as if you have just landed your cross (or you can press it into a punch bag ) then practice finishing the combo from there. Finally i think the less you telegraph, and the more you use misdirection, the faster your punches will seem to your opponent.

[The Student]

Really good advice so far. A couple of basic things that might help are saving the power for the last punch in the combo. Something that I can be guilty of is trying to make every punch a knock out punch - but that just ends up making you too tight and gas very quickly. One more great tip I saw in a Tony Blauer Instructional DVD was to work on the balance of every stage of a combo. For example the 1-2-hook the balance is often lost between the cross and the hook . so to improve the fluidity of that part of the combo, you can extent your right arm as if you have just landed your cross (or you can press it into a punch bag ) then practice finishing the combo from there. Finally i think the less you telegraph, and the more you use misdirection, the faster your punches will seem to your opponent.

Great post boxer, I do have a habit of tightening up and trying to punch hard for every punch in the combo. When the reality is that often the beginning part of the combo is just to set up the last shot.

Thanks for pointing that out.. it's definitely something I need to keep in mind

[BMN]

+1 on good form and balance, and all the other suggestions


In addition:

RELAX the opposing muscles. E.g., If you biceps is tense or firing too early then you will be fighting your straight punches which does several things:

• Slows the punch
• Reduces the punch power
• Tires you quicker by using both more energy and more oxygen

Even if you are relaxed, stopping your punches before they hit or even as they hit takes out power. Let the punch GO into the bag or your opponent. When the obstacle STOPS the punch START the retract....

A simple immediate trick for speed: Focus on RETRACT speed not punch speed -- the punch will increase and keep up.

Long term: Practice punch combinations 1000s of times starting at slow speed to perfect both the mechanics and the TRANSITIONS between individual strikes. Concentrate slow work on SMOOTH UNBROKEN transitions staying at exactly the same speed (no faster and no slower) from first punch to last.

THen as you speed up keep the smoothness.

As they say in the "gun world": Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

Good Advice, thanks for posting

[BMN]

Really good advice so far. A couple of basic things that might help are saving the power for the last punch in the combo. Something that I can be guilty of is trying to make every punch a knock out punch - but that just ends up making you too tight and gas very quickly. One more great tip I saw in a Tony Blauer Instructional DVD was to work on the balance of every stage of a combo. For example the 1-2-hook the balance is often lost between the cross and the hook . so to improve the fluidity of that part of the combo, you can extent your right arm as if you have just landed your cross (or you can press it into a punch bag ) then practice finishing the combo from there. Finally i think the less you telegraph, and the more you use misdirection, the faster your punches will seem to your opponent.

something I need to work on as well, thanks for posting