Punching focus mitts works on your hand and eye coordination. It also works on your stamina, particularly when you’re punching them for several rounds. The purpose of this class was to work on delivering continuous punches (more than 4) and to increase our punching endurance.
Our first drill began with our partner - in a stationary position - holding the focus mitts for straight punches, hook punches, and uppercut punches. The punches had to be thrown in a manner that created a popping sound on the mitts. In addition, the punches had to be continuous for ninety seconds. The lead instructor would tell the mitt holder when to change the positions of the mitts for the various punches.
Go!
Straight punches! Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop.
Hook punches! Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop.
Uppercut punches! Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop.
Hook punches! Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop.
Uppercut punches! Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop-Pop.
I think you get the picture.
During this drill, I started to hear a voice and it said, “Curt, keep your hands up!”
The next drill was similar to the first except our partner made the decision to change the positions of the mitts for the punches. In addition, our partner was in motion, moving away from you.
Again, the voice. “Curt, recoil that right cross faster and bring it back to your face!"
The third drill had us throwing various continuous combinations, while our partner moved around. We peeled off (getting out of punching range at an angle) after the last punch was thrown.
The incessant voice wouldn’t leave me alone. “Curt, throw those hooks harder!” POP-POP-POP-POP-POP-POP-POP-POP-POP-POP.
During the final drill, we put on the headgear and put away the focus mitts. Our partner's body became the focus mitts. Our partner was allowed to defend against our continuous punching to his/her body, but he/she wasn’t allowed to counterattack.
When the class ended, I stood there exhausted and out of breath. In addition, I noticed something. The voice had finally gone silent.
Actually, the voice was coming from across the room from another instructor sitting at a desk. He had his laser beam honed in on me during the entire class. I can’t slack off for a second... and that's a good thing.
