Skill: CONTROL
Drill: Tension Punches
Equipment needed: 2 Focus Mitts Per Line
Instructors needed: 1 per line
Description: Students will work on one of the hardest things to CONTROL, their minds & power! We will be developing patience and skill by working slow motion tension punches.
Teaching SKILLZ: Intrinsic Motivation
Before you start, choose your challenge—will you punch with control over 5, 6, or 7 seconds? Pick the number that pushes you to stay focused and strong the entire time.
Brain SKILLZ: Response Inhibition
Students must resist the urge to go too fast, maintaining slow, deliberate control while managing physical resistance and staying balanced.
Step 1
Divide your students into lines.
Step 2 – Setting up the Drill
  • For each line, have one instructor to hold pads for punches.
Step 3 – Explain the Rules:
  • The student will start with both hands in chamber position at their sides.
  • The instructor will place one pad against one of their hands.
  • The student will begin their punch by pushing against the pad while the instructor applies gentle resistance.
  • We will time each punch to take no less than 5 seconds each.
  • Repeat this for 3 punches on each hand.
  • Stay in a low stance while you do your punches and try not to fall over.
Step 4 – Takeaways
  • Stay low in your stance so that you don’t easily fall over.
  • Don’t forget to twist your fist right side up when punching.
  • Don’t go too fast or you may accidentally push yourself over!
Step 5
  • Continue until each students has 2-3 turns.
How To Video