Anyone else have trouble throwing a proper hook while shadowboxing?

AikaImmortal · 06-26-2008, 01:40 PM

My heavy bag bit the dust and new ones are expensive as f**k so for the time being I have been shadowboxing. However, it seems like my hooks just dont FEEL right, with the impact from the bag I can tell if I am delivering power from my hips properly, but without anything to hit, they feel weak and the arc so to speak always seems to be shorter than with a bag, so I have been doing mainly jabs straights crosses elbows and knees. Also seems like I overcompensate with hip movement with nothing to hit.

It's sorta like trying to throw a good uppercut without having an uppercut block to strike.. they come up differently and the power just dosent transfer 'right'. Any ideas?

GSPALLTHEWAY · 06-26-2008, 02:14 PM

yeah i kind of know what you mean.... try to slow it down, focusing more on your core, hips, legs while you throw it slow... then speed it up bit by bit... sometimes mine are really sloppy but that helps to clean it up

Crashsti · 06-27-2008, 07:22 AM

Shadow boxing to me has always been more about technique then anything else. When you're punching nothing but air there is always the risk of hyperextending your arm when you put too much effort into it so just like GSP just said, take it slow and focus on the way all the muscles and joints are moving. Then go crazy on the heavy bag.

mammoth91 · 06-27-2008, 11:02 AM

Very good replys from both... Strikes in the air can seem abstract so slowing them down is the best advice. I'll have my youth class do punches and kicks glacially slow, there is great benifit to this, so give it a try.. You can really dial in posistion this way. Always such good advice in this section !!..

AikaImmortal · 06-27-2008, 11:38 AM

Thanks for the advice. Going to give this a try tonight

Crashsti · 06-27-2008, 12:19 PM

You know, not to stray too far off topic, but in the little experience i have in teaching some basic boxing skill, the hook is always the punch that people have the most trouble with, followed by the uppercut. Always too much arm and not enough body/legs, if any body and legs at all.