Speed Work and Cornering (diary entry)

18.11.15 The seventh lesson in my private client’s second course on western boxing for martial arts cross-training was supposed to focus on changing levels of straight punching. However, we did some revision and sparring work instead. This was down to the way the lesson evolved. I decided to focus on improving my client’s guard and attacking style. I noticed a huge improvement from his first course on this particular martial art. We began with some footwork agility drills using the cones. All the cones were set closer together to promote faster movement and changes. We then looked at hand speed. This was done by using the fighter pinning their elbows to their sides and using minimal movement. We built up to a six punch combination with two rolls, focusing on hooking and upper-cutting on the second movement of the roll. We then began adding weight to the punches before putting it onto the heavy bag for my client to better time his own rolls. The next part of the lesson concentrated on the sparring into the corner.   We did some specific sparring with my client looking at cutting corners off, using more head movement and utilizing the peek-a-boo guard. Then we did some free sparring. I looked at various strategies, checking my client for too much circular footwork and not conserving energy as well as testing how he stood up against an aggressive attack. He is showing considerable improvements, including good attacks and defences to the body as well keeping away from predictable patterns.