How to improve your boxing reactions

Your reactions are massively important in a boxing ring. How you react physically and mentally to your opponent and what they pose against you is vital to securing victory.Even if you are simply using boxing training as a way to get fit and enhance your self-discipline, being able to react and move well is advantageous.

But sharp reactions are not something everybody is gifted with, and some may need to train their boxing reactions to help make gains.

The question then is how to improve your reaction time in boxing. In the latest Boxfit blog, we pick out a few things you can do to improve your boxing reactions.

The need for speed

Being able to react effectively in the ring is part and parcel of being a good boxer. Being able to inflict damage on your opponent while limiting the number of times they do the reverse to you is what the sweet science is all about.

Reactions in the ring are a peculiar thing. They are fundamentally about your ability to spot threat and make adjustments to alleviate this, or spot openings and be able to throw punches at the right moment. This typically means bobbing, weaving, swerving or ducking away from punches, and being able to land in the way you want. The gap between you first seeing a punch coming and when you need to have successfully reacted to it can be miniscule. The same applies for an opportunity to inflict damage.

This means that along with everything else you need to work on, your reaction time is up there with the most important facets of your skillset.

How to approach boxing reaction training

If you feel a little slow and sluggish in the ring, then there are a few steps you can take to start to improve things.

Boxing reaction drills are an excellent way to sharpen up and enhance your abilities. And the good news is there are plenty of options out there to give a try.

What you mainly need to be working on is your hand-eye coordination. This is a term applicable to a host of sporting endeavours, and is as important in boxing as it is in any other discipline.

Options for boxing reaction training

A good starting point is to use a reaction ball. These balls become a moving target for you to react to and land punches on, all while advancing your head and foot movement.

We offer headbands with attached reaction balls. These swing back and forth from where you are standing and allow you to throw punches without needing any other piece of equipment. Good options here include the Boxaball and Rival Reflex Ball.

A similar but slightly different option is to use a floor-to-ceiling-reaction ball. As the name suggests, these connect to both your floor and ceiling with elastic cables. The ball sits in the middle, and you are then able to practice throwing punches and reacting to the movements of the ball.

Floor-to-ceiling balls can be intimidating when you first start out, so take your time and start slow. But as you get used to the movement of the ball, you can enhance your workouts and really start to make improvements to your boxing reactions.

We have floor to ceiling ball options from the likes of Fly, Lonsdale, Carbon Claw, Pro Box and Cleto Reyes.

Speed balls are another step you can take to help enhance reflexes. This type of boxing reaction bags are typically attached to a platform with a speed ball swivel. These are a classic piece of boxing kit because they help sharpen reactions and allow boxers to truly work on their skillset.

There are also simpler things you can do to work on your reactions. Tennis ball drops are an easy but effective way to train up. This involves one person holding a tennis ball in each hand with their hand on top of the ball, in order to drop it. The boxer then places their hands on top of the other person’s hands and has to catch the ball when it is dropped. The test is reacting correctly with the left or right hand, and this simple drill can really help train your brain to react quickly and sharpen up those reflexes.

Another way to boost those reactions is by finding ways to stay light on your feet. A great drill here is to get the skipping rope out and look to get skipping. This will help any boxer stay nimble on their feet and give them a better chance of reacting well from a footwork perspective.

With drills of this nature, it is possible to take some positive steps and enhance the reactions you have in the ring.

Buy boxing reaction equipment at Boxfit

We hope this has provided a few tips on how to improve your boxing reactions. Boxfit has a broad selection of boxing reaction equipment available to buy, as well as many other equipment items that can enhance your abilities.

Take a look through our delivery, returns and exchange information here at Boxfit, and make sure you get hold of that perfect purchase.

We are also very happy to offer our assistance. Simply get in touch with our team if you have any questions.