How to Make Your Hands Quicker as a Boxer

Having a devastating punch is useless if your opponent is able to hit you first consistently. This is why, as a boxer, improving your speed and making your hands quicker is vital. Not only will this allow you to wear your opponent down as he constantly has to be on the defense, but it also gives him less time to retaliate. Endurance plays a big role in becoming quicker. The more punches you throw, the more it is going to tire you, so do not overlook this aspect of your training.

  1. Train with Resistance

    • Practice throwing your punches while using resistance bands. The advantage of this technique over using weights is that the bands provide constant resistance. With weights there is less resistance because of momentum. Once you train with resistance bands, you'll find that your hands will become quicker. Resistance training is also possible without bands. Swim regularly as a part of your speed training program, as the water acts as resistance. Another method of resistance training is to face a wall and push against it using the various postures you use for punching.

    Shadowboxing

    • Shadowboxing allows you to train your muscles without putting any stress on them. This is useful for improving your hand speed as there is nothing holding you back or slowing you down. Perform regular shadowboxing sessions at full speed to increase your rhythm and pace. Shadowboxing also increases your stamina, which is going to help you last longer in the ring and throw those quick punches more often. Because you don't need any special equipment or a partner, shadowboxing is one of the easiest exercises for making your hands quicker. For the best results, do it in front of a mirror so you can see exactly what areas of your technique you need to work on.

    Speed Bag Training

    • The speed bag, as the name implies, is a useful tool for increasing your hand speed as a boxer. Training with a speed bag not only improves the speed of your punches, but also helps with your timing and reflexes. This training method also tests your endurance, as the speed bag forces you to constantly punch. Speed bag training mimics a real fight in which an opening can appear at any time and you have to make use of it.

    Focus Mitt Training

    • Training with focus mitts allows you to not only increase your punching speed and accuracy, but work on your reflexes as well. Instruct the person holding the focus mitts to move it around unpredictably and punch the targets as fast as you can. With time, your reaction time and speed will increase. Don't forget to warm up properly before training. Perform stretches to warm up as this will loosen your muscles, which gives you a speed advantage as well.