Dropping hands - good drills to stop it?

[ImAShooterMan]

I recently started some boxing training and have the terrible newbie habit of dropping my hands while or after throwing a punch. Just seems like the momentum takes it there. Just wondering if there's any good drills to fix this? Or how long it takes to break the habit?

 

[dat1978]

I recently started some boxing training and have the terrible newbie habit of dropping my hands while or after throwing a punch. Just seems like the momentum takes it there. Just wondering if there's any good drills to fix this? Or how long it takes to break the habit?

if the momentum is taking your hands down then you aren't punching right. a quick way to develop a habit of keeping hands up is working with a good partner or trainer. let them know that you want to break the habit and they will either tell you when you drop your hands or let them check you with a light punch until you stop dropping them. this is how i train anyway. i make sure to tell my partners to always throw a punch if i leave myself open so that i develop the habit of keeping myself protected.

 

[ImAShooterMan]

Thanks. I take a class with a former Olympic boxer (Robert Shannon) and he just slaps the crap out me with a focus mitt, haha. Only problem is it's only once a week and I was wondering if there was anything I could do on my own.

 

[IkkussSpikkuss]

Along with just making an effort to keep your hands up when you train and telling your trainer to help you with that problem I like keeping my hands up during my road work. Yes you look a little wierd running down the street with your hands up around your face and your elbown tucked tight, but it helps you keep your hands up and helps make road work more entertaining because I throw in a few punches, slips and parries. After a while you'll just keep your hands up out of habbit. I notice I put my hands up around my head when I'm watching a horror flick or getting in an arguement (The arguement is a real problem as everyone automatically thinks I want to fight them when I really dont). But in any case I've been doing it for so many years now that my body just tells me to do it when I feel stressed. My wife says I have my hands by my head a lot when I sleep too. But I'm probubly dreaming about fighting anyway so that is not so wierd I guess. Good luck bro.

 

[vu]

Shadow box...make a conscious effort to keep them up...look in a mirror if you have to...then start throwing punches making sure to keep your hands up...if you focus on it and make sure the mechanics are down pat, it'll eventually become second nature...

Best of luck...

 

[deadlyshaolin]

You know that tennis ball trick for keeping your chin down? There's another similar trick for keeping your hands up... basically, when you're working one hand at a time, e.g. just the jab or just the cross for a round, try to keep a coin against your jaw with your non-punching hand.

Doesn't have to be a coin -- it can be anything, really -- but it'll help you keep your glove glued to your chin.

 

[deadlyshaolin]

Oh yeah, it's kinda funny when you do both at the same time -- you've got a tennis ball under your chin, a coin stuck against your jaw, and your feet straddling a piece of tape (Bas Rutten style).

 

[Rayrobinson#1]

Sparring with good guys who will make you pay for the mistake is a good way to correct it.

 

[Gregster]

Getting bopped in the face enough times will often do the trick. Other things I'v seen/tried that worked:

• When doing focus mitt training, have the guy wearing the mitts occasionally swipe at your head.
• Grab the collar of your shirt/gi or hold the top of your chest protector if you wear one.
• Sling a belt or towel around the back your neck, grip either end when drilling footwork or kicking (if you do any kicking)

 

[jlagman]

Sparring with good guys who will make you pay for the mistake is a good way to correct it.

END OF THREAD!!!

 

[ziggity]

+1 on shadowboxing.

If you're like me (and most of us here in standup) you can't avoid shadowboxing a little bit (or a lot) every day. When you shadowbox, watch yourself in the mirror and watch your hands during the punch, and watch them draw straight back to your face. Always shadowbox like that, punch comes out and then straight back in. It becomes natural after a while.

 

[KAYNE]

Tie a rope to your wrists and put it around the back of your head only make the rope long enough to extend one arm all the way out and shadow box. When you punch the rope (I usually use a hand wrap) will make your hand return to your head.

 

[GatorRoll_MN]

Thanks. I take a class with a former Olympic boxer (Robert Shannon) and he just slaps the crap out me with a focus mitt, haha. Only problem is it's only once a week and I was wondering if there was anything I could do on my own.

this is how I learned lol, only it wasnt to the face-it was to the gut and now I have an obscene fear of bodyshots, lol. That and getting smashed in the face enough will correct it like said above..Your a fucking lucky dog to get to train with an Olympian...I've never heard of the coin trick myself but it sounds perfect to do on your own.

 

[xinster]

getting hit inn the face. that'll teach ya.

 

[Plus Juan]

I recently started some boxing training and have the terrible newbie habit of dropping my hands while or after throwing a punch. Just seems like the momentum takes it there. Just wondering if there's any good drills to fix this? Or how long it takes to break the habit?

When you're shadowboxing - focus on the technique of throwing the punch or kick and bringing your hand straight back to your guard. Don't wind up your punches or pull back. Also, when shadowboxing, try to do it in front of a mirror to see your mistakes.

When you're hitting the heavy bag - focus on bringing your hands back to your guard.

When you're sparring - bring your hands back to guard.


You need to drill this into your brain. Make sure that your guard is protecting both your face and your rib cage.

 

[JesySpringield]

when shaddow boxing or hitting mits or bags make a concious effort with form more then power.....if no power at all. shaddow box with weights in hand and try too hold them above where they should be. another way is too get hit soo hard your brain wont let your hand drop the next time.

 

[Tommy Seoul]

Thanks. I take a class with a former Olympic boxer (Robert Shannon) and he just slaps the crap out me with a focus mitt, haha. Only problem is it's only once a week and I was wondering if there was anything I could do on my own.

Slaps with focus mitts are what got me snapping them back. Also, Tito used that basketball on TUF; seemed to work for some of those guys.

 

[zfolwick]

one of the training buddies used to smack me with a kali stick. JESUS! That fixed the problem. fast. About 1.5 minutes and a lifetime of habits had been broken.

 

[moobies]

take a glove and put it under your right armpit. practice your jabs and do not drop the glove.

you won't be able to throw rights, but it will help you keep your right hand protecting your face

 

[Jubacat]

Shadow box...make a conscious effort to keep them up...look in a mirror if you have to...then start throwing punches making sure to keep your hands up...if you focus on it and make sure the mechanics are down pat, it'll eventually become second nature...

Best of luck...

The first time I shadow boxed in front of the mirror, I was surprised just how much I dropped my hands...