Boxing Training for Teens
Boxing training can be a great way to get teens interested in sports and fitness. Though it has a reputation for brutality, with a few limitations, boxing training can be a fun and safe form of exercise for teens and young adults.
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Safety Equipment
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Because boxing is so physical, equipment is needed to protect combatants. Though fittings vary based on the age and size of teens, the equipment required for boxing training is the same across across all age ranges. With all the contact they take, hand wraps and sparring gloves are needed to protect the hands. Mouthpieces should be used during all sparring activities to lock the jaw in place and protect the mouth and lips from the hard edges of the teeth. Likewise, headgear should be used for all sparring to protect the soft tissue of the face. For all male athletes, a protective cup and jockstrap should be used.
Training Equipment
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Like safety equipment, the training equipment required for teen boxing training is the same for all ages. The ring is needed for sparring and to replicate the feel of an actual bout. The heavy bag is used to train beginners on the basics of punching and for experienced boxers to practice punching combinations. The speed bag builds the muscles of the arms and shoulders and develops hand-eye coordination. The jump rope is useful for improving conditioning and footwork.
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Sparring
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Sparring for teens should be monitored closely and conducted under strict guidelines. Sparring is exhibition boxing done to practice and build experience without determining a winner. Sparring is hard on the still-developing teen body and should be limited in scope and punching power. Teens should always wear protective headgear and gloves.
Shadow Boxing
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With the sparring limitations needed for teens, shadowboxing can be a stand-in. Shadowboxing is the process of practicing punching combinations and boxing movements alone and usually in front of a mirror for self-evaluation.
Bag Training
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Training on heavy and speed bags is a necessity for all teen boxing training. For beginners, the heavy bag is useful in learning how and where to punch. For more experienced teen boxers, heavy bags are used for punching combination practice. Speed bags build the muscles of the arms and shoulders and develop the punching speed and hand-eye coordination needed to perform in a boxing match.
Roadwork and Jumping Rope
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Boxing is a cardiovascular intense sport, so running and jumping rope are needed to build the proper level of conditioning. Younger teens should be limited to a mile or two with each running session at the beginning of their training to limit the stress on the growing bodies. As they grow in age and fitness, limits can be broadened based on health and ability. Jumping rope should be approached in the same manner.
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References
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- Photo Credit Shadow boxing image by Andrei vishnyakov from Fotolia.com
