Mayweather Style/Relfexive Mittwork is an Overrated Trend

[Ignoramus]

In the past couple years I've noticed the Mayweather's style of reflexive mittwork trending in the boxing world and leaking its way into the MMA sphere, diluting itself in the process.

This:
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Isn't quite this:
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While Floyd Sr.'s style of mittwork already differs from Roger's style, the imitators have further diluted this brand of training, which should be a supplemental tool for sharpening good fundamentals.

We can thank Floyd's success for drawing attention to this training method, because with success comes imitation, as everyone wants to do what the champ is doing.

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Unfortunately, this one training tool is slowly becoming the fashionable replacement for fundamental drills and techniques.

What I'm seeing a lot lately is this reflexive style of mittwork being taught to beginners, boxercise enthusiasts, and MMA fighters who lack the boxing foundations.

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I remember about a year ago I was messing around with this style of mittwork for demonstration purposes for the MMA Club at my school. I'd practice the combos the night before and I'd teach it to strangers who had never put on a pair of gloves in their lives.

Oddly enough, most people became adept at this style of mittwork in minutes, and to the untrained eye, they actually looked competent.

It looks good.

That's pretty much when I realized that unless you have good boxing foundations, reflexive mittwork is a great way to gloss over your poor technique. It'll make the coaches look good, it'll make you look good, but it won't make anyone good.

I think Sinister touched on how mittwork in its entirety was overrated, but I wanted to address this recent trend that I think will eventually water itself down to the realm of boxercise in a few more years.

Thoughts?

 

[DoctorTaco]

To be fair, sinister stated that mitt work has no place in boxing and called it completely useless. A worthless tool. " Worst thing to happen to boxing since multiple concussion syndrome" I believe was his exact quote.

 

[Ignoramus]

I wouldn't go that far, and I wouldn't even oust reflexive mittwork from the training lexicon completely.

It's just a fine tuning tool that's meant to keep your fundamentals sharp.

Like a warm-up.

It's no substitute for the meat and potates though.

 

[Bay Area]

Did Mayweather create that, or did he simply make it popular?

 

[Ignoramus]

Idk about creating it, but definitely popularized it.

 

[Frode Falch]

To be fair, sinister stated that mitt work has no place in boxing and called it completely useless. A worthless tool. " Worst thing to happen to boxing since multiple concussion syndrome" I believe was his exact quote.

what?? :icon_lol:

 

[Nuclearlandmine]

The thing is that outside of the Mayweather family nobody actually really know how to do it quite correctly though. It is not overrated as much as it is copied and spread wrongly.

 

[Ignoramus]

I'm sure other coaches have applied the concepts properly, but what I'm saying is that it's one of those things that'll benefit advanced boxers way more than beginners.

 

[Nuclearlandmine]

Mittworks is just an exercise. It is no substitute for learning proper jab, cross, and how to fight. Perhaps people got mixed up with that, thinking this mittwork style will solve everything. It doesn't.

 

[Oldknees]

To be fair, sinister stated that mitt work has no place in boxing and called it completely useless. A worthless tool. " Worst thing to happen to boxing since multiple concussion syndrome" I believe was his exact quote.

So wrong...I believe his exact quote was "mitt work is only a tool best used in conjunction with a allen key and band saw while having a jai alai cesta attached to your ear and putting most of your weight on your left elbow"

 

[Frode Falch]

I've seen videos of GSP doing this type of workout with faras (spelling)

 

[Sinister]

To be fair, sinister stated that mitt work has no place in boxing and called it completely useless. A worthless tool. " Worst thing to happen to boxing since multiple concussion syndrome" I believe was his exact quote.

Jajajaja!! Jerk.

 

[DoctorTaco]

So wrong...I believe his exact quote was "mitt work is only a tool best used in conjunction with a allen key and band saw while having a jai alai cesta attached to your ear and putting most of your weight on your left elbow"

You've got to internally rotate your clavicals bro

 

[thugpoet]

Personally, I use reflexive mitt work as apart of how I teach when I am doing one on ones.

But why?

Simple, I want to shut down the logical part of the brain, the part that counts steps (1-2-3) I want you to respond instinctively the fastest way that I know how to do this is reflex training mitt work.

Of course this doesn't replace partner drills, solo drills and just plain ol reps.

 

[devante]

Coach rick seems to be fairly well thought of..Virgil hunter/amir khan brought him into camp...so he must contribute something of value..hunter isnt the sort to bring a guy in cause he looks cool.

 

[SuttenMac]

"Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, Baker's man!" -- jk.

But seriously, and this has already been elaborated on quite well, I think this type of mitt work has its place (building muscle memory, turning off the brain with a pure reflex-based routine), but it in itself shouldn't be a substitute for regular mittwork. It's an effective supplement (if used right, which is apart of the TS' argument).

My biggest issue with this form of mittwork is that the fighter isn't moving his feet; he's completely stationary and flatfooted. I get that that isn't the point of the drill, but to me footwork should be apart of a good mittwork routine. Knowing how to throw a jab or punch while moving forwards, backwards, or stepping off to a new angle after a combo is more important. I know there's guys on here who may have a different view, experienced trainers who absolutely know their stuff, but that's my take.

 

[Spirit Breaker]

Did Mayweather create that, or did he simply make it popular?

Manny Steward was the one that made it popular for boxing.

For those wanting to "train like a boxer" for fitness purposes I don't think there is anything wrong with reflexive mitt work. It's fun and makes the person feel like they are accomplishing something.

For me mitt work is an important training tool. However, it is a little overrated and shadowboxing is underrated. Bag work can develop bad habits like leaning in and poor balance. If you have the right trainer or training partner they can use the mitts to correct this. It is a good way to watch for proper punch placement and technique through combinations.

Nothing wrong with reflexive mitt work as a training tool if you are a more advanced fighter. It is a good way to get in the habit transitioning from offense to defense and back to offense.

 

[WillW]

I like the idea behind it, has to be good for the reflexes working like that.

but for sure as you said, its sickening to see things trended, then dilude by lesser trainers.

I would never disrespect coach rick, because he has clearly a more established person in boxing than ill ever be, but why does he feel the need to make it all flashy like that, catching punches behind his back and whatnot.

 

[bad seed]

Theres a lot of things Mayweather does that would not benefit other people copying it. In fact, I think his greatness is in spite of his training and he would be world class following any kind of method. Natural talent plus relentless work ethic will get you far however you train.

 

[KaanEra]

This type of mittwork drives my coach insane. Then again he's an old school guy who places more emphasis on conditioning (lots and lots), bagwork and sparring over mittwork.

I kind of agree that mittwork is overrated in importance. Its a good tool for coaches to see their fighters form and look for defensive flaws. It also gets the boxer moving around the ring and punching as opposed to just standing in front of a bag. I think those are the most important aspects.