Focus Pads

[aznkarateboi]

What skills do focus pads help improve? Are harder focus pads better or softer ones?

[JohnnyS]

Focus pads are excellent, especially if you're working with someone who knows how to use the pads. You get to work your combinations, your accuracy, you get to work your timing, ducking and weaving, your covers and all the while you get resistance and feedback.

 

I've heard of a few boxers who will not work on a heavy bag, they only use focus mitts.

 

The only problem is that you need a partner who has good skills holding the pads. I guess I was lucky in my instruction, because I've seen a few personal trainers at the gym lately giving the worst advice for punching and hold the pads in ridiculous ways, including holding the pads two feet apart - who has a head that big?

[Fenris-wolf]

I personally am a big fan of focus pads. They're really good for speed, accuracy, timing, footwork... Anything really, although Johnny has a valid point about the padholder.

 

On the other hand I personally like them as a pad holder as well, since they're so much lighter than thai pads! (We use thai pads for punching if we're mixing in kicks/knees or if there're no focus pads left)

 

I personally think they are best hard. Unlike thai pads it's pretty hard to have them "too hard". -Kicking brand new thai pads hurts! But soft focus pads would just be annoying.

 

Also you can get some which are bent so that they're easy to hold for straight punches and uppercuts, which is good, and also the curve over the spot makes it very satisfying if you hit it right.

 

[G95champ]

Aim

 

Depends if your kicking or punching

[battousai16]

wait, what are focus pads? i don't think we use those in my school

[Guest]

Focus pads are for Focus

 

battousai16, do you do a lot of kicks in your art? I know they help me more w/ kicking than they do hand strikes... They help you generate speed, timing, and focusing where you are striking. If you make a nice clean hit, they go POW!

[CheekyMusician]

wait, what are focus pads? i don't think we use those in my school

 

They're pads that you practice punches and kick on.

 

http://www.kamikazeusa.com/images/focus.gif

[battousai16]

hm. weird. i'll see if we have any in the back of the dojang, maybe give 'em a shot.

[MawashiGeri60]

if anybody is intrested in other martial arts equipment that ucan use to improve ur techniques speed , power etc .. here are some usually used in karate do ..

 

Chishi

 

The chishi is a concrete or stone weight at the end of a wooden handle. It is mainly used to strengthen the grip, as well as the joints of the elbows, wrists and shoulders. The exercises develop the muscles used in blocking, striking and grappling techniques.

 

Nigiri Game

 

These are gripping jars, usually made of clay with a rim around the top to grip with the fingers. Sand can be added to increase the weight of the jars. They can be substituted with a common glass or mason jar for the same effect. Gripping these jars increases the strength of the fingers for gripping and tearing applications.

 

Makiwara

 

A makiwara is a striking post, with a straw, cloth or rubber pad for contact padding. It is constructed of either a combination of 2X4's or a 4X4 tapered off at the top. It is used to condition the striking surfaces of the body and perfect striking techniques and kime.

 

Ishisashi

 

This is a stone padlock resembling the shape of an old-fashioned clothes iron. It's is used for strengthening the arms and wrists.

 

Tan

 

This resembles a barbell, usually made of wood with weights on the ends. It is usually rolled over the forearms and back, or twisted over the hips. It strengthens and conditions the affected areas.

 

Tou

 

This is a bundle of bamboo sticks taped together at the ends, and is used for nukite practice and conditioning.

 

Jari Bako

 

This is just a box or bowl filled with sand, beans, gravel or similar material. Fingers are thrust into it to toughen the hands.

 

Tetsu Geta

 

These are iron clogs, used to strengthen kicking techniques.

 

Kongoken

 

This is a very heavy rectangular hoop, used alone or with a partner. It is used to strengthen the body and condition for contact.

 

Sashi Ishi

 

A short wooden handle with a stone weight in the center.

 

Makiage Kigu

 

This is a wrist roller, a wooden handle with a weight hung in the center on a rope. You twist the handle and wrap the rope onto it, raising and lowering the weight, and strengthening the wrists and grip.

 

Tetsuarei

 

These are basic dumbells, and their use is much like modern weightlifting exercises, with the same results.

[granmasterchen]

they work your focus, aim

 

i like the hard ones

 

a nice board covered with thick leather, great for your ridge hands, you gotta toughen those hands, people's heads aren't soft!