Why boxing training gains prominence among American Football players
Boxing is a highly demanding sport that requires a high level of athleticism, skill, and mental toughness. It is no surprise that boxing training can benefit sports athletes of all kinds.
American football players are an example of athletes who can benefit from boxing training. Boxing training can help football players improve their game in many ways, including improving hand-eye coordination, increasing speed and agility, developing mental toughness, and teaching them how to deal with adversity.
Hand-eye coordination
One of the most apparent ways boxing training can benefit American football players is by enhancing hand-eye coordination. Boxing requires precise timing and accuracy when striking an opponent.
The constant need to predict and react to an opponent’s movements sharpens an athlete’s ability to track objects and respond quickly, an invaluable skill in football. Improved hand-eye coordination can make a quarterback’s passes more accurate, a receiver’s catches more secure, and a lineman’s blocking more effective.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has added boxing to his offseason workouts to get better with his hands while blocking other linemen. Parsons’ boxing routine has positively impacted the former first-round pick that he’s even convinced his teammates and defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, to join him.
Quinn is no stranger to boxing, having incorporated it into his workouts and defensive drills for years. But even he was left breathless after trying Parsons’ ring routine. He also invited other teammates, including defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and defensive end Chauncey Golston, to join him.
Speed and agility
Boxing is a sport that demands exceptional speed and agility. Boxers must move around the ring quickly, dodge punches, and respond with rapid counterattacks. This level of agility can be incredibly beneficial for American football players who need to change direction quickly, evade tacklers, and accelerate down the field.
Incorporating boxing drills into their training regimen can help football players develop these skills, making them more elusive on the field and more formidable opponents. It also helps with endurance.
Former James Madison University (JMU) quarterback Todd Centeio admitted that boxing has made a difference in his training to prepare for the NFL Draft. During his offseason, he used boxing to slim down and strengthen his back hip.
He explained that the body rotation for a quarterback is similar to that of a boxer, but the biggest difference is that boxers use both hips to move from side to side, while quarterbacks favor one hip over the other. He also enjoys watching boxing for its technical aspects.
Mental toughness
Mental toughness is a crucial aspect of success in both boxing and American football. Boxing training pushes athletes to their limits, testing their resilience and determination. The mental strength developed in the boxing gym can translate seamlessly to the football field.
Football players who engage in boxing training are often better equipped to handle the physical and mental challenges of the game. They learn to stay composed under pressure, maintain focus, and overcome adversity, qualities that can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Tristan Ellison, owner of Tristan Ellison Fitness in Texas, said that boxing and football have the same fundamentals. Boxing training can help NFL players to stay focused and avoid making mistakes under pressure.
He also said that boxing can develop a strong work ethic. NFL players who train in boxing are forced to push themselves to their limits, which can help them develop a strong work ethic that will serve them well on the field.
If you’re interested in boxing, see the latest updates here: sportsbet.io/sports/boxing/inplay
