Boxing Coaching Aids: Pads, Paddles & Body Protectors
Boxing coaching aids are the kit that turns a session into proper coaching: focus pads and punch mitts, punch paddles, strike shields, coach body protectors and coach spar gloves. Boxfit UK stocks 207 of them from Pro Box, Rival, Adidas, Cleto Reyes, Carbon Claw and Phenom, with prices from £17.99. Whether you run pad rounds for a club or hold pads in the garage, this is the range UK clubs have bought from us since 2006.
What each coaching aid is for
Focus pads are the coach's everyday tool for combinations, distance and timing; browse the range in hook and jab pads. Punch paddles are lighter and longer, so the coach can work speed and reactions without wearing out the shoulder. Strike shields are large, dense pads held on the forearm for power shots, kicks and knees; find them in strike shields. A coach body protector lets the boxer throw full body shots at the coach's midsection and is the only safe way to teach the liver shot. Coach spar gloves combine a pad face with a padded glove so the coach can hold and throw back, which makes technical sparring realistic.
Choosing focus pads and mitts
Curved pads cradle the punch and are kinder on the coach's hands and wrists over a long session; flat pads give a sharper, more accurate target for precise punchers. Check the wrist strap and finger compartment; a pad that flops on the hand tires the coach. Leather pads from Cleto Reyes, Rival and Adidas take years of club use. PU pads from Pro Box, Tuf Wear and Carbon Claw cost less, wipe clean and suit classes and home use. If you hold for hard hitters every night, choose a gel or layered foam core and consider a coach body protector to save your ribs.
Kitting out a club
Club kit gets shared and thrown in bags, so buy a mix: leather pads for the head coach, PU pads for assistants and fitness classes, a couple of strike shields for power rounds, and coach spar gloves for technical work in the ring. For kickboxing and Muay Thai sessions, add Thai kick pads. Discontinued pads often appear in the hook and jab pad clearance.
Why buy boxing coaching aids from Boxfit UK
Our staff hold pads and coach, so we know which pads sting and which last. We supply amateur clubs, professional gyms and home boxers alike, with express UK delivery and expert advice six days a week on 01708 320320. Visit our Romford store to compare a curved leather pad with a flat PU one before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between focus pads and punch mitts?
Nothing, in practice. Focus pads and hook and jab pads are the British names; punch mitts is the American term used by brands such as Rival and Ringside. All are hand-held targets for combinations.
Does a boxing coach need a body protector?
If you coach body shots, yes. A body protector lets a boxer commit fully to hooks and uppercuts to the body without risking the coach's ribs, and it teaches distance and targeting in a way pads cannot. Coaches who only hold for head shots can manage without one.
Which coaching aids should a beginner buy first?
One good pair of curved focus pads. They cover ninety per cent of what a beginner and a training partner need for combinations, footwork and timing. Add a strike shield if you want to work power shots, and a body protector only once someone is coaching regularly.
