| |
Copyright © 2009
Rob Pilger
Shadow boxing is often looked at as just a warm up before the actual boxing workout. How very untrue this is! Shadow boxing no doubt serves to warm and prep the body for the upcoming workout.More importantly though, shadow boxing helps you to groove the skills you have been taught by your boxing coach in your boxing training workouts. It also serves as a tool to hone your own unique fighting style. If you think it's just throwing punches to break a sweat, you're going about it the wrong way.
When you're shadow boxing, It is best to shadow box in front of a mirror where you can monitor your technique that has been taught to you. I often say... the mirror doesn't lie. Once you know what to look for, it's impossible to have bad technique in front of the mirror! Unless of course you just don't care or aren't really focusing and putting your all into it. It's a very important time to groove the skills your trainer has been teaching you. Skill retention is a lot better when you shadow box in front of the mirror grooving good skill.
If you really focus on what you're doing while shadow boxing, progression is heightened. Your trainer won't have to keep barking at you to keep your hands up or throw that hook right when your working the bags. He will be very pleased to see your fast progression due to your commitment of solid technique when shadow boxing. Boxers can so all they want that they have been putting in the extra work shadow boxing, good technique will be the telling sign and truth to the coach that the fighter has indeed been putting in the work.
Great fighters will tell you that when they shadow box and move around they envision real situations that may come up in the ring. They envision having an opponent in front of them punching back and moving. From offensive combos, to defensive tactics, all is covered. They're constantly focusing and role playing while they are shadow boxing. That's why some coaches call it shadow sparring. It actually looks like the boxer is sparring an invisible opponent.
Look at an experienced fighters body language and eyes when doing this. It shows they are in a different world. Indeed they are, a world where they see themselves dominating. You wonder why these fighters get so good? Because they see themselves doing it first. The mind doesn't know the difference from what it is actually experiencing and what it's imagining. That's why this secret is so important to apply. Your boxing performance will improve at a rare you never thought possible when you shadow boxing this way in your boxing training workouts.
Now think about that the next time you shadow box or shadow spar.
Hurry and get a 21 day trial membership while it lasts to http://boxingperformance.com the top site in the world for boxing training. Rob Pilger is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Level II USA Boxing Coach.
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Rob Pilger
- How to Walk Away from all Your Crosswind Landings (Doug Daniel)
Pilots are most likely to experience a wingtip strike if they lose directional control during takeoff or landing. This article describes in very understandable terms a simple and reliable way to maintain directional control and avoid accidents during landings. The technique works for big airplanes and small. - Course Management: Proper Club Selection (Dave Wesley)
Developing our golf swing to where we can repeat it on a consistent manner and have a steady ball flight is only the beginning of becoming a fine player. One important element in reaching our potential the ability to manage our game and ourselves during the round of golf.
|
