[Boxing] Focus Pad Drills

Focus pads are a great way to train form, aim and snap, while simultaneously working on realistic defense and footwork. Combos are great to work on, but a problem is naming them. Naming combos is important, so that the coach can quickly call out the combo. Bas Rutten asigns one number to each combo but I find that undescriptive and hard to remember. I use the following system:

"1-2" Jab-Cross
"1-2-3" Jab-Cross-Hook
"Four straight" Jab-Cross-Jab-Cross
"Four hooks" Lead Hook-Rear Hook-Lead Hook-Rear Hook
"Four up" Same as above but with uppercuts
"Hi-Low" Lead Hook high-low

The rest of the punches I call out by name. Everything's monosyllabic. "Up" is an uppercut. "Rear" is a rear hook. "Spear" is a hard lead straight. So i can call "1-2-3-up" or "1-2-3-four up," you get the gist.

A great drill I call "starch." I swing a mitt/pad at the boxer and instead of blocking it, he punches it as fast as he can. It's a great drill for beating a guy to the punch and for reflexes.