Why use Boxing Pads? Part 2
This is Part 2, you can read Part 1 here…
In Part 2, we are going to discuss the remaining skills that are developed by doing padwork.
Timing - Being able to time your punches or other strikes is vital to striking effectively and maximising the damage. You only have to look at the best boxers in the world to see how effective their timing is, and ultimately this is what makes or breaks a fighter. Timing is all about hitting the pad at the right moment for the best result. This is developed as you do padwork, and it is a combination of the skills we have mentioned so far; balance, coordination, focus and distance which are essential if you want to being able to time properly. As you improve these skills when doing your padwork, your timing will naturally increase and get better. When in combat, being able to time your strike is what determines how effective the strike is.
Speed - Another skill you develop when doing padwork is speed. If you use pads for striking, such as when punching, you will improve your handspeed because you are continually practicing punching. Other skills we have mentioned such balance, coordination and focus are vital to increasing your speed. You must be punching with the correct technique, and as you train with padwork your speed will naturally increase. This is important when in combat, the quicker you punch the harder it is to defend, simple.
Power - Power is also developed when you are punching. As you practice your punching and improve the skills we have mentioned so far; balance, coordination, focus, distance, timing and speed, the power in your punches will also increase. Speed is extremely important. The amount of energy you put into any one punch normally determines how hard it hits (does not necessarily make it more effective) and doing padwork will allow you to hit with the same power while decreasing the energy used. The beauty of pads is that you can practice both quick light punches, as well as power punches. But regardless of the type of punching you practice, as long as you improve on the skills that are required to punch effectively, your strikes will be more powerful.
Combinations - Once you are developing the skills we have mentioned, your ability to strike will have vastly improved. This means that your combinations will be much more effective. Padwork gives to benefits when it comes to combinations. Firstly it allows us to practice different combinations, involving the same or different parts of the body. Secondly, padwork improves the skills we have mentioned above which means the punches we throw and the combinations we strike with, will be much more effective. In combat combinations are much more beneficial to you then single punches, so being able to subconsciously thrown different combinations and executing them in a manner which does maximum damage is essential. This is what continued use of pads allows you to do.
Fitness - So far we have discussed the many benefits of padwork in developing many of the skills that are essential in combat. Fitness could take up a whole new section, but I am assuming that we all know that exercise (especially boxing training which develops many energy systems and many muscles) have an extremely positive effect on our body physically. There are many benefits, such as improved overall fitness, stamina and muscle endurance as well as improving the efficiency of your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Fitness is essential in combat, it allows you to use your energy effectively. Continued padwork develops you in this aspect too.
Exercise also has a great effect on our mind too, realeasing the same chemicals as when we are happy. It is no coincidence that those of those who are physically active and train in one way or another, are generally happier and have greater self-confidence.
You may also have noticed that some of the skills we have discussed, that you develop when doing padwork overlap and are interrelated. This is true. That is why when you use pads you will likely see an improvement in each of the skills discussed, since improving in one skill means that you will also develop in another. So far example, if you improve your distancing and balance, you will certainly improve your timing. The bottom line is padwork is a fantastic form of training, not only does it develop skills required in combat but it also vastly improves your fitness (where the workouts can be adjusted to suit you!).
