The Importance of Training with Focus Mitts and Thai Pads
Training with focus mitts, also known as boxing, catch, or punching mitts, and or muay thai pads is a crucial aspect of martial arts training here at Strickland’s Martial Arts. Where as pads such as the square and paddle targets are used to develop taekwondo kicks in a stationary platform, there is no better substitute for focus mitts or muay thai pads when it comes to precision training and movement.
At the teen and adult levels students are taught to use the mitts and pads with training partners, one as a feeder (the person holding the mitts) and the other the receiver or fighter (the person striking the mitts). In the juniors class the instructors hold the mitts/pads in line drills for the younger students and feed the combination drills. Here are several reasons why we use both mitts and pads in class among other training tools.
Target Practice: Focus mitts and thai pads provide a target for strikes, allowing students to develop focused accuracy and precision in their punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. This target practice is essential for improving boxing skills and technique while ensuring that strikes are delivered with maximum speed and effectiveness.
Timing and Coordination: Working with mitts and pads requires timing and coordination between the fighter/receiver and the feeder (pad holder). This dynamic interaction helps improve the fighter's ability to time their strikes accurately and coordinate their movements more effectively.
Speed and Power: Mitt and pad drills involve combinations of rapid strikes like those practiced in Western boxing, Panantukan (Filipino boxing), and Jun Fan, which helps develop speed and power in the fighters techniques. With Muay Thai pads the striking can be much more powerful and forceful. By repeatedly striking the pads with intensity, fighters can improve their explosiveness and overall striking power over time.
Footwork and Movement: Pad and mitt drills can also incorporate footwork, requiring the fighter to move around the feeder and adjust his or her position to deliver strikes effectively. This helps improve agility, balance, and overall mobility.
Defense and Counter-Attacks: Mitt and pad training is not only about striking but also about practicing defensive techniques and counter-attacks. Feeders can simulate attacks, allowing practitioners to practice blocking, parrying, slipping, weaving, covering and evading strikes while developing their ability to counter-attack effectively with hands elbows, knees and kicks.
Conditioning and Endurance: Working with pads and mitts can be physically demanding, especially during intense drills that involve high repetition or resistance from the feeder. This helps improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and overall conditioning.
Realistic Simulation: Mitts and pads can be held in various positions and angles, allowing feeders to simulate realistic attack scenarios. This helps fighters prepare for real-world self-defense situations by training their ability to recognize and react to different types of strikes and angles of attack.
Mental Focus and Concentration: Mitt and pad training requires fighters to maintain focus and concentration throughout the drill, as they need to react quickly to the movements of the pad holder and execute their techniques with precision. This helps develop mental discipline and focus under pressure.
Feedback and Correction: Feeders can provide immediate feedback and correction to fighters uring focus mitt/pad drills, helping them refine their technique, improve their form, and address any weaknesses or areas for improvement.
Motivation and Engagement: Working with both mitts and pads adds an element of excitement and engagement to martial arts training, as fighters can see and feel the impact of their strikes in real-time. This helps boost motivation and enjoyment during training sessions.
Overall, focus mitts and thai pad training is an essential component of training here at Strickland’s Martial Arts that helps both fighters and feeders develop a wide range of skills, including striking technique, timing, footwork, coordination, defensive abilities, physical conditioning, and mental focus.
