Shadow Boxing
This is a form of training where you fight your imagination; you physically throw punches and kicks at an opponent that is not there.
This is a very useful tool for preparation of fights and encountering dangerous situations, you can safely understand how you will attack and defend.
Imagine 5 targets give yourself some space and play out the scenarios of the different ways they will attack you, and then shadow fight your way to a victory. Imagine the first guy falling to the floor after two hard blows to the face then quickly move to push the second away then throwing a devastating elbow in to the chest of the third.
By playing through scenarios of shadow fighting you are able to better prepare your muscle memory, the sensations and movements will feel common and you will better handle the different stresses and movements, your balance will be better and you will be able to better control the rush of emotions the speed of thought between movements and how to breath and remain calm and focused.
Shadow boxing is a very good cardio workout, if you think throwing combinations in to thin air is easy try doing it full stop for 10 Min’s, the best way to practice shadow fighting is to do it in sets, fighting in rounds.
Some fight in slow motion visualizing each hit landing in the perfect spot to do the most damage, with the maximum force. Or seeing every attack your opponent throws in super slow-mo to be able to watch where they are off balance or weak.
Or you can practice fighting full stop as if your life depended on it. Throwing punches, elbows, head buts, kicks and objects until you can’t fight any more! See if you can push your boundary little bit each time until you can fight at full force for several minutes at a time.
Remember this is all in your mind so pick opponents that will test you! Shadow boxing old ladies is fun but may not be such a good idea in the long run.
Then shadow fight at full force and full aggression, ensuring all your effort goes in to destroying your opponent, throw hundreds of combos until your sure they will never move again. Use up all your energy, see how much you can fight before you can’t fight no more.
Create scenarios where you have different objects, imagine playing pool in a bar then being threatened, how you would use the different objects, imagine holding the cue and swinging. You have to visualize these scenarios as actually playing out in front of you.
Practice this daily as part of your cardio/general health/confidence/fighting workout
Top boxers and fighters use this technique in the coming weeks to a fight, they study videos of their opponents watching how they fight, how they stand, there body language and defensive style. They use these videos to get a mental model for which they fight over and over again. 90% fights are fought and won in the mind, so they repeatedly win and destroy their opponent over and over again. By the time they get to stand of in the ring they have already spent hours fighting their opponent, there mind is used to the idea of throwing punches at this guy and being attacked by him also. The mind cannot distinguish a thought that is clearly visualized to what is actually real and in front of it.
Shadow Boxing can also be used against objects, see the wall or chair in your room as being the enemy, throw combos at it (don’t actually hit the it!!) See how you would attack the different areas. Looking at an object gives a better practice for accuracy.
Stand in front of a mirror and shadow box your own reflection, look at your own weak spots see what happens when you open your guard how would you attack that, if you was your opponent how would you beat the guy you seen in the reflection of the mirror, would this be an easy or a hard fight? Make sure your stance is good; a good way to improve balance and stance is to throw punches and kicks from awkward positions. While jogging or standing in different stances, every fight will not always allow the perfect form so understand your weaknesses and learn to adapt your fighting style to suit.
Remember this is training your muscle memory, a safe and effective way to fight for hours each day without having to be injured, the whole point is to prepare your senses for action.
Focus on, Speed, Power, Accuracy, Deadly efficiency, Breathing, Aggression, Motivation to win, Your Offence and defense.
Don’t throw your punches and kicks too hard as you may overstretch and cause harm to your ligaments, fight smart and listen to what your body can do. Rest between rounds and think of ways you can improve.
Your mind and body
BeWiseMonkey
