Question about shadowboxing

[GhostFighter]

I need pointers on what to focus on when shadowboxing.
Do you fully extend all your punches and with high speed?
I try to pretend im actually sparring for real so i never stay in one place when doing this, however i have seen other guys shadowboxing very nicely but there just standing there without much or none at all footwork.
What is the perfect way to shadowox?

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Just to let you know I'm a trainer here in S. Florida. Some trainers use shadow for different things. If you are simulating a fight, then your doing it right. You should move around, throw different combo's and throw with as much speed as you can without getting tired over the course of the shadow boxing.

It's ok to shadow as to just warm up but as you go on, move, pivot, act as if you are catching punches, bob, weave etc....

Keep moving, work on defense and counters. Basically everything you do is to simulate fighting. Hitting the heavy bag, double end bag etc.

I usually do 4-6 rounds of shadow boxing, 4-6 rounds of jump rope just to warm up before I stretch.

[Nahshon Israel]

Just to let you know I'm a trainer here in S. Florida. Some trainers use shadow for different things. If you are simulating a fight, then your doing it right. You should move around, throw different combo's and throw with as much speed as you can without getting tired over the course of the shadow boxing.

It's ok to shadow as to just warm up but as you go on, move, pivot, act as if you are catching punches, bob, weave etc....

Keep moving, work on defense and counters. Basically everything you do is to simulate fighting. Hitting the heavy bag, double end bag etc.

I usually do 4-6 rounds of shadow boxing, 4-6 rounds of jump rope just to warm up before I stretch.

Thanks for the insight, I was going to post a simular post.

[Nahshon Israel]

I need pointers on what to focus on when shadowboxing.
Do you fully extend all your punches and with high speed?
I try to pretend im actually sparring for real so i never stay in one place when doing this, however i have seen other guys shadowboxing very nicely but there just standing there without much or none at all footwork.
What is the perfect way to shadowox?

Good post!

[Ray Corso]

When the feet are stationary your working on your balance when "sitting down on your punches" (bending at the kness using your arm/shoulder/latts/ and hips into your punch). Shifting weight as your punch is completed (hooks) is another exrecise.
Movement is another section to work on, using a mirror to keep your elbows down/in as your punches start! Lifting your elbow out is the easiest way to give away punches so store that for YOUR defensive thought and offensive purposes.Never allowing your feet to cross or acually get closer thana foot apart (depending on your shoulder width) is important to maintain balance. Moveing laterially, left and right, forward and back is all part of a shodow exersise. Nothing like timing your opponents jab with your own or driving a straight right hand in as he jabs. That will make him think twice about jabbing if he's still there hahahaha!!! Shaddowing can be a complete workout by its self once you get good at it!!
..............never fully extend punches, 3/4 at the most and as short as you want too!! Ray.

[Pony Boy]

I like my guys to simulate a boxing match while concentrating on my commands and following instructions on the fly. I also tell them what style of boxer they are boxing against to see how they adjust. At the same time I want to see them concentrating, visualizing and go into tunnel vision but not all boxers have this awsome gift.

[Dickie Smalls]

first thing to focus on is keeping your hands up. after every punch, pull your hands right back to your face.

when you punch with your left hand, focus on transferring your weight to your left heel (all your weight should be on your left leg and you should almost be able to lift your right foot up and balance on your left leg, but keep the right foot's toes on the ground for balance). vice versa for punching with the right hand.

RELAX when you punch, treat your hands as whips and don't tense until you're almost at the target. you'll improve handspeed by making your hands "light" until you are about to hit your opponent (then you twist your wrist so your fist faces the ground -and tighten your whole forearm and fist - at the end of the punch). DON'T TENSE through the whole punch, otherwise your punch will be slow and not as powerful. don't tense on the way back.

practice ducking while shifting the weight back and forth and then add some hip-thrust (twist your hips so the shoulder of the punching arm goes forward and the other shoulder pulls back). this will help you find good angles to punch from.

[Freelancer]

All good tips in this thread. The only thing I'd add is to not rush it if you are just starting out. It's important to execute movements as correct as possible so focus on that and leave the speed for later. As you keep working correctly your muscle memory will improve and after a while it will become second nature.

[Joe Frazier]

About 90% of the shadow boxing I see in the gym is pure clueless posing, please take the advise of the first reply to this thread and treat it like you're facing an opponent.

I found it hard to effectively shadowbox until I'd fought someone at my level, it was easier to visualise the scenarios and reaction times.

You'll find that once you've shadowed enough times punching won't necesarrily come more naturally but backwards and sidewards movement will. Your general reaction time will be better, purely due to the thinking being taken out of your leg movements.

[theproof]

i use to shadowbox all the time in the 70's 80's and my dad told me 'long as you xyou will always be undefeated" IT IS A GOOD THING BUT NOTHING IS BETTER THAN ACTUAL SPARRING. NOT THE PHILLY/DETRIOT GYM WARS BUT practicing on cutting off the ring or not throwing a punch /paying sattention to the opponent. calculating the next move. you never lose when shadowboxing.