22/5/18: Boxing - polishing the techniques and building cardio with Thai Pads

Simple but DEEP. A really fun session taking some "simple" strikes, tightening the technique and then applying them. The aim for this session was to work a variety of 2 hit combo's, getting range and technique right and then being able to deliver them in such a way that you opponent doesn't know what you are going to throw, and even if they manage to block or evade the first shot the second one WILL land. Like everything, this has so much depth and you could spend years just developing this skill set.

Boxing Combos:

In pairs each taking turns

1) Jab, Cross - partner catches both hits with same hand and keeps other hand out straight which forces the puncher to keep elbow down on the cross and not flair the elbow.

2) Double Jab - as above to help puncher not flair elbow on the jab

3) Jab, body cross - partner catch and elbow parry the bpdy shot, puncher bend knees and lower whole body on body shot.

4) Jab, lead hook - I find this one the most tricky as I always feel off balance on the hook after the jab. Essentially you put the jab in... don't fake it, then with hardly any pull back you lean you body forward, keep your elbow locked and throw a tight hook aimed at the jaw. This is REALLY effective when you get all the mechanics right

5) Jab, wide cross/rear hook - put  jab in then wide cross/rear hook around their lead arm guard.

6) Jab, simultaneous step off 45 with rear leg (to your right), body hook - block vision with jab (keep it in their face as you step off 45), trap arm with your jabbing hand and rip in body shot.

We then mixed these up into any order we wanted and did "turn taking sparring" one person attacks the other defends, then swap... 1 for 1.

TIP: once we started getting the feel for these we started to tighten things up further. for example after a few double jabs we then did a jab lead hook... but made the lead hook so tight it looked like a jab so partner didn't know what was coming. Also focusing on making sure the second shot landed (if not both) really helped focus the offense

Thai Pads - Cardio Killer

We all need to be "fit to fight" cause technique and skill goes to shit when you are tired plus you can't react or do anything and there really is nothing like Thai pads for helping you build the cardio and letting everything fly. When Cardio improves  the pad holder can start "sparring with you" to keep you switched on and improve cardio further. please,, please please remember to breath (I will take my own advice one day). This is  the start of a gradual progression. we are starting with 2x 3min rounds and will build up over the weeks to 5x3 min rounds.

Round 1: jab, cross hook (stepping off), rear round kick - 3mins

Round 2: cross hook cross, switch kick (lead leg round kick switching stance)

Syllabus:

we then split into groups and worked syllabus stuff. James and I worked a little on Numerada with a Knife (angles striking families and range) and double stick guntings (right hand stick hitting angles and striking families including getting brain fried trying to add the odd series into the flow!)

As also comments and suggestions welcome.