Hi forum I've only recently started to train with focus mitts. Previously I trained traditional Karate where focus mitts are not usually used. I'm wondering if focus mitt drills can lead to a bad sense of distance. In the first picture below, the guy is out of the woman's punching range, that is, she can only hit him if she steps in. What she hits is the mitt, which is some 40cm away from his face. In picture 2, the distance between the two is the same and her kicking range is perfect. http://imageshack.com/a/img923/6447/G3er6n.png What are your thoughts on this? Can such training help develop a bad sense of distance? Cheers Nico
They can if you let them. If you just stand in front of the pads and throw. A good pad holder should be stopping that though.
Agreed...! Simon's recent video may offer advice on how to prevent such a 'Bad habit' though. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4NywQJChpQ"]Padwork - stay in the fight - YouTube[/ame] Travess
I agree with what previous posters have said. I would add that the intent and movement when holding pads should be the same as sparring. So things need to be mixed up with footwork and pressure. As for where to hold the pads, this also depends on the intent and movement. If working combinations with power, the pads should be close to the body and near the correct targets. However, if working "touch and go" the pads are more randomly placed as targets and can be further away from the body. The important piece is that punching is always through the target and that the puncher is the one responsible for adjusting their distance by controlling the pad holder. What I mean by controlling the pad holder is that the puncher forces the pad holder to move to the correct distance by applying footwork and pressure. IMHO.
The mitts are the target, not his face so she is hitting what she should be Holding mitts should be akin to sparring and is an art in and of itself
that is is a good point,if your coach holds the pads like roach very close to their chin it would be better for timing and distance measuring,because you get the peripheral picture of where your opponents/pad holders feet and body are before you throw your shot. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjU6bPl8JXw"]Amir Khan on the mitts with Freddie Roach - YouTube[/ame] There's just a slight risk of getting knocked out! [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0rbKwRUDRM"]FREDDIE ROACH REVEALS MIKE TYSON KNOCKED HIM OUT; RECALLS EPIC TALE: "HE HIT ME SO HARD" - YouTube[/ame]