Increased Hand Speed ?

[Bateman]

Is it possible to increase your hand speed. I understand that cutting weight and getting fitter will help this but is there anyway you can train to get your hands to that bit faster ? any excersizes or any training equipment that will help ? I already train in 18's and 16's oz gloves.

Thanks

[ReD_mIst]

Interesting question.

I've never been convinced that wearing big gloves improves hand speed. Isn't that adding weight, which is essentially resistance training, so you would build strength and stamina, not speed. Also, isn't it gravity that is exerting force on that weight, which is pulling the hands down to the ground, so the resistance isn't along the same line as the punch is travelling

I think that speed would come partially from the number of fast twitch muscle fibres you have (I don't think that can be changed) and improvement in technqiue. Learning how to stay relaxed in the shoulders and arms and to use the body to throw the shots, so that the punches develop more 'snap' to them.

Interested in other peoples thoughts.....

[black gerbil1]

ive been told using focus pads the correct way can improve hand speeds.

[ReD_mIst]

Do you have a full answer... i.e. which way to use the pads?

Focus mitts are mainly to build speed and accuracy, so I think you are reasonably correct, however, it's still about the technique used to throw the shots.

A good pad man can make most fighters look faster and better, meeting the punches well and matching the snap of the fighters shots.

[Travis Bickle]

Learning how to stay relaxed in the shoulders and arms and to use the body to throw the shots, so that the punches develop more 'snap' to them.

I'd agree with that, also you might consider learning a real Martial Art like Wing Chung for example, very fast hands

[ReD_mIst]

Yes, learn a kung fu chain punch...

[boxingbrit]

I have a fair few drills that i do that defionately increase your speed of punching. I will sho you at the gym Aaron, difficult to explain on here.

[ReD_mIst]

I have a fair few drills that i do that defionately increase your speed of punching. I will sho you at the gym Aaron, difficult to explain on here.

Are they drills that imrpove technique and developing a more relaxed punching style?

[boxingbrit]

Not really technique tbh, they do need you to be relaxed. I have done some with matt T before. Padwork and bags IMO ar where you should drill your proper technique.

Pads are great for accuracy and effective punch power. They are where you will develop you KO punch with a combination of speed, power and sharpness.

Bags are great for conditioning of the muscles involved in punching

Shadow boxing IMHO is where it is at for punch speed

[ReD_mIst]

I'll probably be OK. In boxing gloves my punches are quick, but in MMA gloves my hands are stupidly fast....