How to Hold Focus Mitts

According to many boxing and martial arts professionals, there are few exercises that can train a fighter as well as some training with focus mitts. As the one holding the mitts, it is up to you to make sure everything goes as planned. Follow these five steps and you will be able to hold the focus mitts expertly and facilitate a fighter's first-rate training session.

Things You'll Need

  • Focus mitts
  • Mouthpiece
  • Headgear
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Instructions

  1. Holding Focus Mitts

    • 1

      Make sure you are wearing the proper safety gear for this exercise. You should wear protective headgear and a mouthpiece if any accidental blows strike you in the face. Stretch and perform any warm-up exercises.

    • 2

      Place your arms in front of you, with your forearms bent at a 90-degree angle. The mitts, or pads, also can be held at a wide angle, as long as the pads are not far from one another.

    • 3

      When you absorb a blow from the punch, it should not be a passive act. Experts recommend you 'push' back against the punch. For an advanced technique, mirror the fighter's technique--if he jabs, you should be jabbing back with the mitt as he attacks.

    • 4

      While absorbing and reacting to the punches, you should also work on his or her defenses by throwing punches in the fighter's direction.

    • 5

      Call out combinations to the fighter for them to execute. As the mitt holder, set the pace for the exercise and challenge the fighter. Start with simple one-two combinations then work toward more complex ones.