Using shadowboxing

I have an admission to make - I’m a big fan of shadowboxing.

I haven’t always been but that was largely due to trying to think about what I was doing and trying to put together moves that looked cool. In recent years I have learnt to play while shadowboxing and have begun to see it in a whole new light - as a tool for my own training and as an invaluable aid to coaching.

Many, many people make shadowboxing an external thing, concentrating on (and feeling self-conscious about) how it looks. This is often exacerbated by people being urged to imagine the person they are fighting, adding another external response.

Just say no kids. Shadowboxing is a tool for internal awareness.

When I’m sparring I try to be as consciously unaware of my opponent to maximise the amount I am unconsciouosly aware of them. The less attention I pay to them the more aware I am of myself. Shadowboxing helps me learn this state.

Go inside, feel your balance, your movement, your breathing, your own rhythm.

Just throw things, never plan. Let the punches come out, let the movement come out. Play your own tune. Shadowboxing is your perfect 10 moment, no pressure to hit hard, no energy from an opponent to absorb.

Just you, the floor and your own skills. It's a thing of beauty.

Return to Revolution Homepage