Why use Boxing Pads? Part 1
This is Part 1, you can read Part 2 here…
As you may know, there are various types of boxing pads available including but not limited to, Focus Pads, Thai Pads, Body Pads and Strike Shields. These can be used for training your boxing skills, and much more, including other forms of striking such as elbows, knees and kicks. Whether you are use boxing pads purely for fitness and enjoyment reasons (such as in boxercise) or more seriously to compete, boxing pads provide many benefits, which is why since martial arts first emerged, they have had an essential role in training (and it doesn’t really matter what martial art we are talking about here). There are many skills that are learned when training with boxing pads which are essential in improving your abaility to defend yourself. We are going to have a look at some of these reasons. Essentially the purpose of boxing pads is to resemble the scenario in combat, with the pads representing the target/combatant. Thus training with pads develops the skills required in combat. There are many skills that are developed. Part 1 of this article will look at some of these, and the remaining skills will be discussed in Part 2.
Some of the skills you will develop:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Focus
- Distancing
- Timing
- Speed
- Power
- Combination
- Fitness
Balance - This is essential in combat. If you lose your balance, you can easily be toppled over without being able to defend yourself. When you are practicing on pads, you are shown how to balance your body by using a certain stance. All martial arts emphasise the importance of this, while enusuring that you are also in a position to launch strikes of your own. But balance is much more than just your stance. It is being able to regain that same balance when or after striking. If you are throwing a combination, having your body balanced well will make your strikes much more effective, and it is imporant you regain your stance as effectively as possible after your attack. A well balanced body can attack and defend much better. This is actively trained during padwork, where you will see improvements in how you balance when you are attacking and defending.
Coordination - Coordination is vital in combat and this is actively trained during padwork. One type of coordination you are working on during padwork training is hand to eye coordination. This essentially means being able to hit your target where you want to hit. This will improve as you train, since your brain will be better at judging how to hit the target where your eyes want to hit it. Coordination is also worked on in other ways, such as being able to move your body in sync when throwing a punch for example. It is about hitting the pad the way it should be hit. When punching for example, your hips should rotate while your arm extends. Such coordination in kicks, elbows, knees and hands is vital to attack effectively.
Focus - This includes your hand to eye coordination but is much more. Essentially you are developing strength of mind and ability to concentrate on what you need to do. This applies to when you are defending (pads such as focus mitts can be used to punch back with so the striker has to defend), when you are moving around in your stance, and when you are striking. When you are punching for example, you must focus on what you need to do and then be able to execute it. Padwork develops this focus and mental attitude, so that you can successfully strike where you want to strike and how you want to strike. This is essential in combat, a lack of focus and not being able to concentrate on what you need to do would be detrimental.
Distancing - This is possibly the first skill you aquire when doing pad work. It is being able to judge where the pad is so that you can strike the pad effectively and with the correct technique. This applies to all forms of striking. The aim is to maintain your balance, which would mean that if you were punching, not overextending or punching too short so you cannot generate any power. Being able to judge the distance between you and your opponent is essential, so you know when to strike and how to strike. Pads can be moved around by the person holding them, to improve your ability since you may be required to move around in order to connect properly. Ultimately, the aim is to time the strikes properly and effectively.
