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First of all, I was tempted to name the thread something like "benefits to playing with balls" just to make it click bait and get responses. Hopefully I don't need to do that. I also considered putting this in the Boxing forum, but the threads there seem mainly about upcoming events and stuff like that, not as much on training.
So there are these two tennis ball drills we do at the gym i go to, and I'm wondering if they have some benefit, or are crap. what are your thoughts?
drill #1 "hot potato" this is where like 3-5 people stand in a circle and literally toss tennis balls at each other. the goal is only have one ball at one time (hahaha i know), so you're constantly looking around to catch or throw a ball. the only benefit i see is it trains peripheral awareness...good for teh streetz?
drill #2 "tennis ball sparring" i've seen versions of this online where you tuck a tennis ball between chin and should and shadow box, only at this gym we try and knock/swipe another person's ball out. it seems ok, but there's a real risk of eye pokes because you're swatting near someone's face. i'd rather just spar light-medium.
in case you're wondering, i'm a 35 year old hobbyist. i just train for fitness, fun, and of course hopefully some degree of self defense ability. no goals of competing or anything. thanks!
So there are these two tennis ball drills we do at the gym i go to, and I'm wondering if they have some benefit, or are crap. what are your thoughts?
drill #1 "hot potato" this is where like 3-5 people stand in a circle and literally toss tennis balls at each other. the goal is only have one ball at one time (hahaha i know), so you're constantly looking around to catch or throw a ball. the only benefit i see is it trains peripheral awareness...good for teh streetz?
drill #2 "tennis ball sparring" i've seen versions of this online where you tuck a tennis ball between chin and should and shadow box, only at this gym we try and knock/swipe another person's ball out. it seems ok, but there's a real risk of eye pokes because you're swatting near someone's face. i'd rather just spar light-medium.
in case you're wondering, i'm a 35 year old hobbyist. i just train for fitness, fun, and of course hopefully some degree of self defense ability. no goals of competing or anything. thanks!