Most of the padwork out there is total BS. That is a strong statement, so this video lesson gives my reasons for it. Once you listen to them, I think you will find it hard to disagree.

It is for coaches, instructors and fighters who spend a lot of time on the pads and want to know whether that time is actually making them better.

Fitness Padwork Is Different

If you are doing padwork for fitness only, in a boxercise or kickboxercise type of environment, then it makes no difference what kind of padwork you do. The aim is to get people moving, sweating and enjoying themselves. That is fine.

If you are coaching fighters or training for self-defence, it makes a huge difference what kind of padwork you do.

The "Look At Us" Pad Session

A lot of padwork is built to look good. Fast flurries, flashy combinations, loud pops and a pad holder who does all the moving. It looks great on video. The trouble is that it often teaches very little.

Common problems:

  • The pad holder sets up every punch, so the fighter never learns to find openings
  • There is no return fire, so defence is never trained
  • Distance is fixed by the pad holder, not found by the fighter
  • Combinations are memorised routines that would never happen in a real fight

The fighter ends up very good at hitting pads and no better at fighting.

Coach And Teach

As a coach, you should be coaching and teaching, not putting on a show. Padwork is one of the best chances you have to work directly with a fighter, so use it. Correct technique. Give honest feedback. Make the fighter think about distance, timing and defence. Hit back so they have to protect themselves at all times.

For self-defence the same applies. The pads should be used to practise realistic targets, angles and situations, not routines.

How To Make Padwork Useful

Ask yourself, before every round, what the fighter is meant to learn. Then build the round around that. Move the way a real opponent would. Throw shots back with control. Keep combinations short and realistic. Stop and correct when something is wrong.

If you think I am wrong, the challenge is to explain how and why. Bring reasons, not just an opinion.

Take It Further

Coaching and teaching properly is at the core of the PPDT International Instructor Course. If you want to train with me directly, take a look at the Training Camps.