by Amber Robinson, Owner / Founder Krave Gym
MITT TRAINING. Does it really benefit me as an athlete? The answer is YES!!
As an athlete, MITT training not only requires you to get more precise at punching smaller targets, but if done correctly, it will also you improve your mobility, rhythm, timing, technique, speed, muscle endurance and defensive reactions.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using MITTS with another athlete:
- Communication with your teammate. We are all here to perform our best and to help our teammates do the same. If your teammate is holding the MITT wrong, let them know. The only way you both are going to get better is if you talk! WE ARE A TEAM!
- When the coach says target, that means you are holding one MITT up. It is up to the athlete wearing the MITTS to change the target which will signal the striking athlete to change his/her stance. When the coach says combo, you will hold both MITTs up.
- Make sure the MITT holder has a good base foundation. This means that your upper body should be strong, abs should be engaged and your feet should be positioned in a very athletic stance.
- When wearing MITTS, it is important not merely to hold them but to actively “feed” them into the punches, to balance the force and prevent injury to both parties.
- It’s important to focus on rhythm, timing, and accuracy. NOT power. It’s not a race to hit as hard and fast as possible. It’s about being able to read the punches coming in, and to move in rhythm, hitting and slipping at the same time. Generating power through timing and accuracy and not so much muscle effort. Sure…there are times when it’s good to hit the mitts as hard as possible but that shouldn’t be the goal of the workout…we have the bags for that.
We hope you all are enjoying our Making An Impact season so far. We have had great feedback and have seen awesome progress thus far! KEEP IT UP!!!