How To Take A Punch
Let’s face it...even though the objective of this game is to hit something...actually getting hit yourself sucks. No doubt about that one. The genesis of this club was even due to the fact that I was tired of taking way too many punches to my 40ish year-old face during my business travel “workouts”. Yes...during my 40’s a strange thing often happened that I was not overly used to and I’ve been known to be in too many meetings in Seattle, Chicago, or Mesa wearing a nice pair of sunglasses that hid the sincere fact that my defensive techniques had atrophied some with age.
So if that’s the case...what exactly is the visceral attraction to this sport? Well...we won’t really dive into that one...as the answer to THAT question might scare the kids...but...we can all agree that nobody really likes getting hit. So...what’s the magic of NOT getting hit in this sport...? We wonder if there’s anything we can do to take those lumps a little easier. The answer to that one is...probably not much...but...it IS all in the mind-set. Sounds like some over-priced psycho-babble, huh...? But...it actually has good meaning. If you truly like the sport enough (and here I’m talking the whole process – training, drilling, sparring, possibly competing) you are already rewarded over and above the occasional “beating”.
Now...on the other hand...there is definitely something to be said for the “tempered” approach – which is usually the wisest approach...especially for all of us weekend warriors over 40...! In the tempered approach, one always takes care to train and drill safely...proper gear, ground rules, and supervision.
It also means having a goal in mind before each and every sparring session and match. If you begin a session with a goal firmly planted in your mind (like working the body or emphasizing your defensive maneuvers) you will effectively direct your attention to the accomplishment of that goal and divert much of it away from the anxiety that can accompany the taking of a few shots.
There are other things one can do that sound like they’d all be in the right direction. Working the neck muscles is one of those, since a strong neck can help the head absorb that impact more efficiently. Another is to work rounds while your equilibrium is off “kilter”. There really are drills that help with figuring out where the hell you are and how to get back to offensive position once you’ve taken a good whack on the side of the head and the whole room is spinning. This is mainly for the real pros, though...but...some of them do have some merit when it simply comes to orienting oneself in the middle of chaos.
Well...beyond the professional tips and drills, the redirection of attention, and the gradual acclimation to harder and harder contact, there is no magical formula or single stage technique to make absorbing head and body punches any easier. It is, however, very wise to become a defensive master. So...work those defensive techniques at every workout. Don’t slouch on the defense because it’s not as easy to work on the heavy bag as the offensive drills. Work the heavy bag with as many slips and rocking maneuvers as possible. Perform mirror training with constant head and upper body movement working your long and short rhythm continuously. It might feel very awkward at first...and...even in the middle stages of your training. But as you progress and get more coordinated with throwing punches from any angle, working all of your defensive maneuvers will become second nature. Working as much situational sparring time, as possible will also pay huge dividends. When you can truly react without having to process your opponent’s data (and intentions)...that’s the goal...no processing...just reacting. Once there, you’ll have reached a stage in your training where you’ve done all you could to keep from being hit AND are in a position to not panic when the inevitable happens and you take a good, strong 3 punch combination directly to the side of your head. One final thought...you should also expect to get hit...that will take the “surprise” away from it when you do...but...then again...getting hit sucks...so why the hell does anybody do THIS for a sport...?!?!? Back to square one...
