La oferta turística

Shadow boxing is one of the most important aspects of your training.

Unfortunately, it is perhaps the most neglected training tool in all of boxing. Most guys just “go through the motions” when shadowboxing. They do a few rounds to warm-up before moving on to the “real” stuff such as sparring or heavy bag work.

While shadow boxing serves as a great warm-up, use it for its other benefits. I shadow box at least 4-6 rounds EVERY day. I use shadow boxing as a way to practice all my combinations. When you shadow box, you must visualize yourself in the ring fighting an actual opponent. See your opponent punching and respond by blocking, slipping, ducking, or counter punching. I use shadow boxing to practice everything that I plan to use in the actual fight.

I shadow box with my mouthpiece in just as if I was sparring. I envision myself in the fight and throw my punches with the same conviction of an actual bout.

Shadow boxing can serve as far more than a mere warm-up tool. You can actually enhance your condition by shadow boxing at an intense pace. I usually begin with 2 rounds more directed towards warm-up before moving to more explosive combination punching. I push myself to throw as many punches as possible.

Words To Live By

"While we are postponing, life speeds by." - Seneca (3BC - 65AD)

Consider all the time that is wasted by just “going through the motions”. Each 3- minute round that you stroll through is time wasted. This time could be used to enhance your skills. If you are going to train, be sure to get the most out of each session. We do not have time to waste rounds by leisurely throwing our punches to satisfy a shadow boxing requirement. Rather, envision an imaginary opponent and “fight” him the entire round. Practice throwing all of your punches and

combinations. Work on the combinations that you have had difficulty landing inside the ring. Always remember that practice makes perfect so use shadow boxing as a tool to edge you closer to perfection.

Shadow boxing can improve your footwork, hand speed, balance, technique and stamina. Practice throwing your punches while moving frontward, backwards, and sideways. You must learn to punch while moving in every direction. If you practice this drill everyday while shadow boxing, you have no excuse to lack this skill. Consider the most important punch in boxing, the jab. When you shadow box, practice throwing double and triple jabs while moving in each direction. This practice will lead to improvements in your actual sparring and competition.

Every punch and combination you throw should be something that you have already practiced over and over again while shadow boxing. As your condition level increases, try shadowboxing with hand weights between 1 and 3 pounds. This added weight will increase the intensity of your shadow boxing sessions. By doing so, you will transform your shadow boxing warm-up into an anaerobic conditioning drill.

I typically begin and end my evening workout session with a few rounds of shadow boxing. To begin, it serves as both a warm-up and conditioning exercise. To finish with shadowboxing, you then reinforce everything that you have learned and practiced throughout your training session. In addition, it serves as a great way to cool down and free up the lactic acid that your hard training has left in your muscles. Do NOT overlook the importance of shadow boxing. If you cannot make time to shadowbox, make time for losing. There is no excuse to skip this ever-important training exercise. You can shadowbox in your bedroom, living room, in the gym and outside. You can shadow box ANYWHERE!! If for some reason you miss the gym (of course you never will), you have no excuse to skip your shadow boxing. Always remember,

EXCUSES ARE WEAK!!

HEAVY BAG

The heavy bag is the place to master combination punching while improving stamina and punching power. Hitting the heavy bag is a great way to improve your anaerobic endurance while mastering technique.

Before you hit the heavy bag, be sure to wrap your hands properly and always wear a suitable pair of bag gloves. Failure to wrap your hands or wear gloves will lead to injury. I have broken my hand in the ring three separate occasions so take my advice that it is

important to protect your hands.

When you hit the bag, always throw your punches in combinations. Get used to throwing several punches at a time. Your hard work will lead to success inside the ring. Exhale as you throw your punches. Always practice a variety of

combinations. Practice jabs, right hands, hooks, and uppercuts. Practice throwing different combinations moving both to your left and right. As the bag moves, move along with it as if the bag was an actual opponent. Always punch through the heavy bag, rather than at it.

Envision an imaginary opponent when working the bag. Practice feints (fakes) and blocks. Weave under imaginary punches and fire back with counter punches.