Staying loose...

[Ringo]

Hey guys,
Just curious to know how some people overcame this problem if they had it. I have a tendency to stand too tall and pick up my shoulders, like I'm shrugging. I've also been told by my coach that I dont "relax" enough and that my punches are too tense. As much as I know about the body and exercise, I cant figure this one out. Anyone have some ideas? PD, fraidy, anyone?

[Nacho_Analstain]

move ur arms side to side,like swing ur elbows out slightly,stops me feelin tense

[potatoes]

Hey guys,
Just curious to know how some people overcame this problem if they had it. I have a tendency to stand too tall and pick up my shoulders, like I'm shrugging. I've also been told by my coach that I dont "relax" enough and that my punches are too tense. As much as I know about the body and exercise, I cant figure this one out. Anyone have some ideas? PD, fraidy, anyone?

Stretching before and after training will help. However if you have a problem with muscle tension, then try ultra-intense workouts of the heavybag. By willfully increasing muscle tension there is usually a spontaneous relaxing response after the stimulus is removed. Muscle tension can sometimes be traced back to some kind of anxiety. Is there somebody or something in the gym which is putting you on edge?

[Hunna]

Stretching before and after training will help. However if you have a problem with muscle tension, then try ultra-intense workouts of the heavybag. By willfully increasing muscle tension there is usually a spontaneous relaxing response after the stimulus is removed. Muscle tension can sometimes be traced back to some kind of anxiety. Is there somebody or something in the gym which is putting you on edge?

Muscle tension can sometimes be traced back to some kind of anxiety. Is there SOMEBODY or SOMETHING in the GYM which is PUTTING you on edge??
----> Course there is bro, the idea of getting punched to the head.

being tense b4 sparring is just normal, after more experience, you will loosen up. Your coach and other boxers more experienced then yourself will help you wif that...
guys like roy jones, mundine Ali were masters at being relaxed.
Guys like Danny Green, Iron Mike way too tense, and when they come up against relaxed, cool & collected opponents they crack.

[Scottie2Hottie]

its a head to toe thing that starts in your head...youll always tense up if you arent keepin a clear head, and youre thinkin too much. smooth movement comes from confident, instinctive thinking.

physically, i try and stay on my toes, keeping my shoulders totally relaxed, my elbows resting above my pelvis (mine kinds sticks out lol so its easy for me) and when throwing punches, dont clench until youre right about to make contact.

practice it in your shadowboxing...i personally started off doing 8 rounds of shadowboxing a day just to get totally used to the footwork, movement, and punching, that way i can focus more and relax.

[Exige Jr]

Skip for 1-2 rounds. Listen to music. Condition your brain to feel relaxed after saying a certain phrase to yourself. Basically I say to myself "someone is gonna get stretched in a minute", and then confidence takes over nerves and relaxation begins. Im not joking, this works. When you are feeling tense, say something to yourself and let yourself relax after you said that, and then you will have conditioned yourself to feel a certain emotion after you have said a certain phrase.