Mitts Punch Pads

So you’ve purchased Punch Mitts (also called Focus Mitts or Focus Pads) online or from a sports store. But you soon realize that keeping for your Partner is not so easy – it’s awkward, hard work and you’re running out of ideas. This article will explain the rectify technique and give you a good deal of combinations.

Basic Position for Holding Punch Mitts

Get into a boxers stance. In other words, face your workout-partner and mirror them. Stand side on with your mitts up just underneath shoulder height. Angle the punch mitts inwards. Bring your elbows in close to your body. Bring the punch mitts close together so you “peek-a-boo” through the punch mitts. Now you’re ready to catch your firstborn punch.

The Jab – How to Hold Mitts for the Jab

The Jab is the punch off your partner’s front hand. It’s many times the original punch in a combining (combo). If they are in orthodox stance (left foot forward) it will be a left Jab. So you will catch it with your left punch mitt – as they ought to punch across. Keep your elbows in tight, use your core. Call it, so they recognise when to punch and you may brace for it. Catch it, don’t whack it – and hold the mitt still at the moment of impact. Remember, if they are a left hander (Southpaw), they will stand in right-foot-forward stance. They will throw a right Jab. You must mirror their stance and catch with your right mitt.

The Jab – How to Hold Mitts for the Cross

If the Jab is the “one,” then the Cross is the “two” — as in “one-two, one-two.” The Jab is rapid machine gun fire, whereas the Cross is heavy artillery. A Jab will set up a combo, and the Cross will ofttimes finish it. Stand in the same left foot forward stance as above. You will catch the Cross with your right mitt, as your collaborator must punch across. Because there is more power in the Cross, you may have to brace more and use your core to absorb the power. Remember to call it – either verbally, or with your body language, so they know which mitt to punch.

Four Combination’s (Combos) using the Jab and the Cross

Left Jab, Right Cross (L,R) – This is ofttimes called the one-two. You catch the left Jab and right Cross in rapid succession or in a combination. Combos are punches in bunches, like mini bursts. Try to give hope or courage to your collaborator to get up on their toes amidst combos. I oftentimes tell my students to “dance” or “float like a butterfly.”

Double Left Jab, Right Cross (L,L,R) – This is the same as above, just double up the Jab. This is an authentic combo that real boxers use. Try to choose combos that are authentic, and stay clear from combos that don’t flow or make sense.

Left Jab, Right Cross, Left Jab (L,R,L) – Same as above except it’s one Jab before the Cross and one after. So it’s a “one-two-one.”

Left Jab, Right Cross, Left Jab, Right Cross (L,R,L,R) – Same as above with one more right Cross on the end of it. So it’s a 4 punch “one-two-one-two.” The more punches in a combo the harder the effort for both partners.

Putting it all Together

Use 2 combos per round. Make the rounds go for 2 or 3 minutes and swap to your next combo when it comes to half way through the round. Use a countdown timer, a kitchen cooking timer or stopwatch to keep track of round times. Boxing is intense, so don’t go over 3 minutes before a rest or a swap. You may use the single punches as combos too. As the mitt holder, you call the shots. It’s up to you to motivate your collaborator and to announce the combos clearly. Doing boxing mitt work with a collaborator is a bit like dance. As mitt holder you are the leader of the dance.

May you Get Fighting Fit!

Mitts Punch Pads Pic

Mitts Punch Pads Photo

Mitts Punch Pads Photo