Cross Training
One of the best types of cross training to use for your sport of choice is boxing.
Boxing, you ask? Are you serious? How the heck can this help me become a better player?
Well, it's not so much the boxing as it is the training boxers utilize. Introductory training for boxers consists learning how to hit a heavy bag, speed bag and double-end bag and can evolve into shadowboxing in front of a mirror and sparring. That's not to mention skipping rope, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, back pull-ups and jogging -- all methods that will serve a player well even if he or she never steps inside a ring.
Boxing training addresses:
Balance: Boxing uses the basic athletic stance. Balance allows you to transfer power throughout the entire kinetic chain (like transferring weight from your back leg for shooting).
Reaction: The faster and more accurate your reaction time becomes, the quicker you can perform a function. Not only does boxing improve hand-eye coordination, but also total body capability.
Agility: Boxing training helps create the conditional movement, meaning you are in position to move in any direction at any time (think change-of-direction dodge), not to mention the footwork involved.
Acceleration: Boxing training provides movement acceleration through the transverse plane. Think of the movement needed to take shot.
Deceleration: Deceleration is the least trained component of speed and agility training. Speed work in boxing emphasizes the eccentric component of boxing training.
Boxing training takes into account the total body movement, from the ground through a punch or extension of the limb, and emphasizes control.
The reaction component is important in boxing, as it teaches the body to be able to move quickly.
This allows for faster first steps, or being quicker to a loose ball. The best part of this type of training is that it recreates the energy system needed for conditioning and simulates the sport's metabolic needs.
Boxing can:
Teach proper weight transfer and rotational mechanics.
Provide reaction training, hand-eye coordination.
Teach how to use opponents' momentum against them.
Add innovative cross-training modality.
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cross training