How does a boxer train his body/face to take in punches?

Question

How does a boxer train his body/face to take in punches?

Answer 1

Having a great chin is largely a genetic gift. Some people are born a "Marciano" and others are born a "Morrison". To that extent, starting from point A is a family gene "roll of the dice" HOWEVER There are 3 main things that can help improve one's ability to take a punch to the head.

1. SPARRING

Getting the face "conditioned" to absorb contact by taking repeated shots in sparring. Getting nailed in an actual fight will not then come as such a suprise to your system. Spar, Spar, Spar! You will start to get use to head contact!

2. CONDITIONING AND MAITENANCE OF THE NECK MUSCLES AND MUSCLES CONNECTING THE NECK TO THE SHOULDERS

Have you ever noticed that guys like Evander Holyfield looked like they had another set of  smaller shoulders sitting on their shoulders? That's because of advanced neck conditioning. Having a strong neck will give the head a much stronger base. This gives a fighter the ability to take more blows upstairs without their head "flying off" if you'll mind the description. Also concentrate on flexability training to help keep the neck overall condition, Always do your head rolls and relaxing exercises so the muscles do not tighten. Many fighters including Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis also have a Chiropractor work on their neck before a fight to help "unstiffen" the area. So work hard on stenghtening and conditioning the neck area between the head and shoulders.

3. FIGHTING FOR A DEEP REASON

The young George Foreman of the 70's didn't have a bad chin. But it was certainly nothing compared to the Titanic chin he somehow aquired in the 90's when he was a more mature athlete in his 40's. That is because in his comeback he was really "fighting for a heart felt cause". It all began when this deeply spiritual preacher resumed boxing to save his youth center in Texas that was in financial trouble. Along the way, he realized that he was becoming an inspiration to millions of people everywhere with the message "You can achieve any dream you dare to dream and don't let other people tell you that you can't!". George in the 90's took horendous blows to the head and kept coming forward like Godzilla because he was "Fighting for a Deep Reason". This zen like mindset helped him withstand vicious attacks to both his head AND his body! His mind, will, and spirit was a much more powerful force that any blow he absorbed. That's why he seemed almost superhuman! I would suggest that you too, dig down deep in your own self and find with in you, 'something to fight for'!

IN TERMS CONDITIONING YOURSELF TO TAKE PUNISHMENT TO THE BODY, THE ANSWER IS MUCH MORE SIMPLE

OVERALL CONDITIONING

EVERYTHING in your hard physical training will help condition your body. Whether it's long road work, abdominal training, medicine balls, sparring long hours, wind sprints, swimming, THE LIST IS ENDLESS. Cardiovascular and endurance training of all types will help you reach your objective! Train your body to be in the best "OVERALL" Physical condition and this will help you to absorb blows to the body!

Now get out there and start training! You can do it!{ And as George says "Don't let anybody tell you that you can't!!! }

Answer 2

take a lot of punches

Answer 3

There is no training for bodily abuse like that.

Just keep a good first aid kit nearby.

Having a high tolerance for pain is a prerequisite.

Also mind over matter can help you through most things.

Answer 4

well,

if you box a lot you will eventually build up resistance...

but if your trying not to get knocked out you need to build up the muscles in your neck the stronger the neck the harder it is to knock you out....

you can do this by tying a shirt or something around a weight of like 15 to 20 pounds and holding the shirt in your mouth,

then just move your head in all directions lifting the weight....

Answer 5

It's all psychological you can have the strongest body in the world but unless your mind is  prepared you will still get hurt. Personally i find that your adrenaline stops you from felling any pain and your determination helps a lot  aswell. Don't think about the pain of getting hit just think about winning.

Answer 6

Well for the body you must have very solid core musculature ans well as take punches there repeatedly, for the head, train the neck and traps. Bridges, rolling neck bridges, neck curls with head strap. isometric neck stuff , for traps get Kelsos Shrug Book. So basically solid core, bulldog neck and carzy traps. Also chew hard *** gum and always keep a tight clench on mouthpiece , eat your veggies raw and your beef Jerkied. Have me cook your steaks and roast beef that will give you some jaw muscles ; ) Hard work basically.

Answer 7

Doing ab exercises really helps with the body. It will make your stomach hard as a rock after a while and you will be able to take body shots better. But for the face you just have to do a lot of sparring and take shots to get used to it.

Answer 8

Well sparring will always get you used to taking punches anywhere but my favourite ways to get used to it are doing crunches while your trainer drops a medicine ball on your stomach or hits it with an empty glove, and standing against a wall while a medicine ball is thrown at your stomach

Answer 9

Medicine balls slammed against his belly helps.  And building up the neck muscles, specifically the one between the shoulder and neck, helps with head shots.

Answer 10

Get punched repeatedly in the face.

Answer 11

Some boxers actually slam/drop medicine balls on there sides and abs thats one way but some coaches wouldn't suggest it. But the face on the other hand is diffrent. My advice learn to tolerate pain.

Answer 12

lol, you don't train your face to endure or absorb punches, you train your body...

do some squats on the pool to improve your legs muscle

run/jog while having a tire tied on your hips to improve your stamina an also your leg muscle

oh and if you really want to lessen the damamge you receive, try to block punches...

or maybe you can learn follow through, you know when you twist your head through the direction where the punches are going...

and about those body blows, try not to get hit, use your legs and footwork... once you got your rythm you can control the pace of the game...

Answer 13

You just get used to it mate. You start off in the ring and you get shaken by nearly every shot that lands. After 8 months, it genuinely doesnt bother you. You were big right hands and end your train of though becomes 'S**t.. i shouldn't have got hit'.. frustrated at yourself for being hit as opposed to the panic that happens at the start. Its just getting used to it.

Answer 14

let someone throw a  medicine ball

Answer 15

they punch him in the face

seriously

Answer 16

The best way to ready the body for the type of punishment boxing gives has to be sparring. Its real live action and You learn if you can take a punch and if you can give a punch. However if your not in good condition sparring can just be survile so make sure your doing you running.

Body Punches the best way to avoid them is good defence and foot movement. You should also do sit ups because it makes the abs stronger and the stronger they are the more punishment they can withstand.

Head Punches are worked by bobing ang weaving. If you can't do that your going to have to do excersces that strengthen your neck so your able take harder Blows.

There's tons of ways to get ready for taking punches its just boxing is hit and don't get hit. No matter how many ab workouts and Neck workouts you do punches are going to hurt that's why you learn defence moves.

Answer 17

You really don't train/condition your face to take shots because as a rule of thumb, most people train to hit and not get hit however, in the sport of boxing physical abuse does come with the territory, no matter who you are or how good you may be..  Therefore with time you develope a tolerance for a certain amount of pain and your dicipline, determination, etc.. allows you to continue to stay in the game TO WIN...Fighters do train certain parts of there body like the neck to help withstand the impact of a blow..So from a broader aspect in answering your question, remember that the amount of punches or punishment that you take while in the sport, is a sure indication of how long you can plan on being actively (competitively) involved in the sport.. Good luck.

Answer 18

Do sit ups for the body, for the face im not sure.

Answer 19

after each fight, he gets a face lift

Answer 20

I'm a semi-pro boxer and a few days before a fight I smack my head against the wall until I can't feel the pain anymore.  However, I haven't won a fight in two years.  Sometimes I think I am preparing myself to be crushed by my opponent.

Answer 21

Masturbating while holding your breath numbs and strengthens the blood vessels in your face, head and neck.

Answer 22

The best way to train your body and face for taking punches is to spar. For your body you can lift weights but as far as your face goes, you are either born with the abitity to take punches or you are not.

Answer 23

The brain suffers. There is no preperation for that.

Answer 24

you cant train for that either you can or you cant take a punch that's what makes boxing the only true physical sport

Answer 25

Like anything else, the more you do it, the more use to it you get.

Answer 26

look in boxing the best way to train for punches in your face is by slowly hotting your cheeckes then incresing the speed harder this would get your cheeks red but trust me in a few months punches their would most likely still hurt if you get punch but less painful Ali used to do this training.

Answer 27

Well the question about body strength question seems more obvious to answer, but the face? I'll try and take a stab at that.

-Improving hand-eye cordination for faster response to dogding punches.  

-Playing more video games to increase reaction speed.

-Strenghening facial muscles by making several facial expression repeatedly.