Also known as the sweet science, boxing is one of the oldest and most efficient combat sports. By effectively combining punches with footwork and head movement, a boxer can generate powerful punches and also have a beautiful evasive defense.
Perhaps you’ve been going for boxing classes and training for awhile now. But you’re not sure if you’re making good progress. Well, you can be certain that you’re definitely improving if you’re training and drilling regularly. After all, practice makes perfect! It also helps to remember that boxing is a journey, so learn to embrace every step of it rather than rush off to the destination.
Today, Evolve Daily shares 8 Signs You Are Getting Better At Boxing (Even If You Don’t Realize It):
1) You’re able to power through each session without getting burned out
ONE Superstar Jake Butler trains at the Evolve Fighters Program.
Before your body got used to those intense boxing training sessions, you probably gassed out pretty easily. Well, we all did at the start – so you’re not alone! The thing about boxing is that it’s physically demanding, so most beginners sometimes have to pause and catch their breath during training. But the good news is that over time, your stamina got much better, and you can now get through your training without feeling too exhausted.
2) You can execute various combinations smoothly
Training with a heavy bag improves your co-ordination and technique.
It can be pretty challenging to smoothly execute various combinations at the start, especially when you have to take your head movement and footwork into consideration, on top of striking. Fortunately, you persisted and eventually managed to grasp the finer details of the important techniques. Now, you’re able to throw a bunch of combinations smoothly (with the right technique, of course), and at a higher speed, too.
3) Your punches have become more explosive
Boxing instills discipline in your kids, while keeping them active.
Apart from striking at a higher speed, you’ll notice that your punches have become much more explosive. That means you’ve gotten stronger and are getting closer to delivering a knockout punch! Of course, strength is something that has to be built up over time, so always focus on getting the technique right first – especially if it’s a new one you have yet to grasp!
4) You’ve started sparring
Sparring is a great way to elevate your game as a martial artist.
Sparring is one of the exciting milestones that every martial artist will experience at some point of his/her journey. So when you get to this point, you’ll know for sure that you’ve made significant progress. This is because not everyone gets the chance to spar – especially at the beginner stage, where there are still so many techniques to nail down.
When your instructor allows or encourages you to spar, it means that you’ve shown him that you fully understand the techniques, and can apply them properly. Although sparring might seem rather scary at the start, you should still try it! This is because it would deepen your understanding of the various techniques, as well as timing and distance.
5) You can defend yourself more effectively
Shadowboxing improves your balance and coordination.
Do you remember the first time you tried to execute defensive moves? Perhaps you weren’t able to slip properly, or dodge as quickly as you were supposed to. Well, that happens at the beginning – especially if you aren’t very coordinated. But over time (and of course, lots of practice), you got better at protecting yourself from punches, and can now react at a much faster speed.
6) Your instructor trusts you to hold focus mitts for others
Boxing is a great workout that can help you get into your best shape!
Besides sparring, you’ll know that you’ve gotten better at boxing when your instructor gives you the green light to hold focus mitts for your training buddies. This is because there is a proper way to hold the mitts, and you must have a pretty good understanding of the fundamentals as well as combinations, so as to be a good mitt holder for your friends.
7) You’re thinking of taking things to the next level by competing
Daorung “Papa” Sityodtong teaches boxing at Evolve MMA.
When this thought crosses your mind, you’ll know that you’ve improved. After all, we’re sure you wouldn’t be thinking of stepping into the ring without sufficient training! It takes a certain amount of confidence and self-belief to make this decision, so when you get there, why not embrace it and take your boxing to the next level!
8) Your friends approach you when they need help with techniques
Boxing is a highly technical striking discipline that requires a great deal of strategy and knowledge.
Do you remember getting help from your friends in class when certain techniques were a bit difficult to understand? You’ll know that you’ve gotten better when your friends start asking you to break down techniques for them. When this happens, you should help them out! This is because when you do so, you’ll have a much better understanding of the techniques you taught your friends.
Do any of these points apply to you? If yes, that means you’re on the right track to becoming the best martial artist you can be. So keep training hard, and get into the best shape of your life!
