Everything You Need To Know About Shadow Boxing

Are you a boxer or fighter who is willing to excel in the ring? Believe it or not, knowing about shadowboxing can favour you to a greater extent.

Shadowboxing is when a fighter or boxer throws punches in the air by moving around by himself.

It is a popular exercise for boxers for conditioning their muscles, honing their fighting techniques, warming up or warming down during their workouts.

Apart from that, shadow boxing also mentally prepares the boxers before a contest and also helps in maintaining the rhythm of the fighter.

Most boxing instructors prefer that their trainees shadowbox before engaging in any other daily workout routine.

Notably, you can improve your boxing technique through shadowboxing by performing it correctly. Such boxing techniques are inclusive of the following:

• Strength
• Power
• Endurance
• Speed
• Offense
• Rhythm
• Footwork
• Defence
• Overall fighting abilities

This article is going to tell you everything you need to know about shadowboxing. Owing to the simplicity and freestyle nature of shadow boxing, it is incredibly versatile.

Wondering Why Should You Shadow Box Daily?

The reason for the weak spinal muscles of many boxers is that they don’t shadowbox daily. As a matter of fact, your arms need to get used to the movements, that’s why you should shadowbox every time before hitting the ring. Pondering over the brightside and darkside of shadowboxing? Let’s delve into it below.

The Brightside of Shadow Boxing:

Here is why you should go for shadowboxing:

• Since there are no distractions in shadow boxing, such as an opponent attempting to hit you or bag moving around, you can practice anything you desire. You can also take feedback from a video recording of yourself, coach, or a mirror instantly.
• It doesn’t require anybody or any equipment.
• There is no harm in doing shadow boxing, as you won’t be penalized for making mistakes. You can practice almost any movement you desire by just imagining it.
• It improves your head movement and footwork.
• It helps you in visualizing different kinds of opponents. You need to do enough shadow boxing to imagine facing every type of opponent.
• It enhances your ring intelligence so you would know how your movements affect the outcome of a fight.

The Darkside of Shadow Boxing:

• It’s always harder to fight a real opponent since he’s unpredictable.

How To Shadow Box In The Right Way?

To serve this purpose in the best way, you need to consider the following aspects:

• Set a goal
• Execute it
• Acquire feedback
• Evaluate

Now let's dive deep into these aspects.

Set A Goal:

You require setting a realistic goal to shadowbox properly. When setting your goal, you need to consider some common reasons for shadow boxing, for instance:

• Warm-up: Doing so puts your body into motion.
• Technique: To perform any pugilistic techniques properly, you always need a coach in the first place.
• Coordination: Focusing on the same move every time and only perfecting it is not going to make you a pro shadow boxer. You need to do it differently to improve your shadow boxing skills.
• Rhythm: Honing your rhythm is essential, and you can do so by making many movements.
• Strategize: Shadowboxing with having a predetermined strategy, works great for outperforming in the ring.
• Warm Down: While warming down, you need to think of different techniques to improve your movements to a greater extent.

Execute It:

If you are truly passionate about your fight, you should be shadowboxing for at least half an hour on a daily basis. As far as the duration of a general shadow boxing workout is concerned, it would be around 15 minutes. Execute it without taking any rest. You also need to move your body as well as keep your muscles warm continuously. You can do shadowboxing anytime and anywhere, even when you are waiting in a queue or when talking to a friend.

The following ways will help you to execute different workouts of shadowboxing:

• With a mate
• With an instructor
• When there is a heavy bag around you
• When you are alone
• With a slip bag or a slip rope

Acquire Feedback:

Among the biggest reasons for having a boxing coach and training in a gym is to acquire feedback. You can get feedback in the following ways:

• Have a Boxing Coach: Having a coach to oversee your movements and making little suggestions would work greatly.
• Shadowbox In Front Of A Mirror: See your form in the mirror and notice if there are any areas where improvements can be made.
• Consider The Way You Feel: You’re probably not executing a certain move the right way if you feel difficulty in performing it.
• Evaluate: Every boxer needs to apply this rule to his/her training because training blankly is not beneficial. You need to think about your moves and be alert. Try noticing your vulnerabilities before your opponent does.

Evaluate:

Wondering what you should evaluate? What to think about? Have a look here:

• Think About Your Goals: Keep in mind the targeted area where improvement is required. It can be about improving your speed or performing according to a certain strategy or so. Choose one goal and work accordingly.
• Think About Your Problem Area: Bear in mind that making improvements will become too hard if you are unaware of your problem area. This aspect also necessitates working with trainers, coaches and/or expert individuals.
• Think About Adding More To It: Performing the same moves repeatedly will not make you a pro shadow boxer. Instead, think of new moves and keep on practicing them.

Wrapping it up

Shadowboxing is a raw exercise to move your body similar to a boxer. You might be too exhausted to hit or spar the heavy bag. However, you will always be able to have enough energy to practice the moves. It’s the supreme ability to move your body for the development of naturalness.

Don’t forget to shadow box on a daily basis from now on to excel in the ring. Good luck fighters!