How to Get Hand Speed Like Tyson

Mike Tyson dominated boxing when at his peak. A world-class fighter needs incredible speed and strength. One without the other is useless in the elite echelons of any sport. Tyson achieved incredible speed as a result of effective and intense hand-speed training exercises.

Things You'll Need

  • Speed bag
  • Weighted gloves
  • Double-end bag
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Instructions

  1. Speed Bag

    • 1

      Adjust the speed bag's height. Ideally, the bulge of the speed bag should hang around chin height. Stand in your fighting position with your guard up.

    • 2

      Strike the bag with the outside of your fist, bringing your fist down on the slope of the bulge of the bag. Return your hand to the guard position. As the bag rebounds and swings back toward you, strike it again in the same manner.

    • 3

      Build up speed and improve the timing of your punches. Alternate hands. Move around the bag as you would an opponent in a real bout. The better you are at this, the faster your hand speed will be.

    Punching with Weighted Gloves

    • 4

      Insert the appropriate weights into your gloves, or put on a pair of weighted gloves. Ensure they're specially designed for the purpose of punching, because improvised weights can damage your hands.

    • 5

      Carry out your normal punching drills with a partner holding pads up for you to hit. Keep your guard up, start slowly and gradually increase the speed of your punches.

    • 6

      Practice all of your combinations of punches and movements and footwork. In boxing, it's extremely important that the body works in harmony with itself so that you can avoid getting hit.

    The Double-end Bag

    • 7

      Attach the straps of the double-end bag to the floor and ceiling. Ensure they're tight and allow the correct amount of movement from the bag.

    • 8

      Stand in the guard position and begin to punch the bag. As it swings and moves, punch it again. Bob and weave as you would in a real bout and practice combination punching.

    • 9

      Increase the speed and movement of your punches and body. Adjust the tension of the straps to find a challenging resistance and behavior of the bag.