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Tennis Ball Reaction Training
The video below shows how to make an inexpensive tool to train hand-eye coordination for fighters. Although the video is not in English, the instructions are simple enough. All that you’ll need is a hat, a tennis ball, and an elastic cord.
Kostya Tszyu is one fighter who often trained with a similar device. You can see an example at the link below:
Vasyl Lomachenko can also be seen using something similar here:
Vasyl Lomachenko – Tennis Ball
As for applications, such a drill can be a fun addition to your training arsenal. Aside from the hand-eye coordination benefits, it is also useful that this drill will not be strenuous to the body. You can easily include some reaction training with this tool without detracting from your primary training objectives.
Thanks to Nikolay from Arthlete.com for passing the video along.
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Creativity is a natural extension of our enthusiasm. – Earl Nightingale
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Hey, I like the dudes from Arthlete.com especially for they portrait of Jordan Jovtchev on the wall right to their pull up bar! Maybe you can come out with some article about him here in this website. I don’t ever thing there is some better motivation in gymnastics than him! (I’ll come up with some article in my blog these days too)
Just to pull the news – Jordan Jovtchev just qualified for the olympics in London 2012! So he will participate in olympics for sixth time, which is absolute record for a gymnast! (during the olympics he’ll be 39)
Ross, i know its not in english but where would you get a cord like that from and how did they attach it to the hat and ball?
This would be ideal to do for a light exercise between bag rounds to keep your mind sharp and focused even while resting. Cheers Ross
thank u very much, ross!!!
Big fan of this. Thanks for the post, Ross.
How do we make it. that head strap is going to be important
This seems like an ideal replacement for those who have mastered the double-end bag and are no longer challenged by it. The gym I go to is very challenged for space, so that may be another reason. Any thoughts ?
Seems more practical to just use the regular speed bag and the double-end speed bag. Remember years ago watching Pipino Cuevas dribble/slap a raquet ball ala Rocky III in training.
Boxers definitely come up with some weird training exercises, another non conventional spin on traditional training I witnessed about the same time period as Pipino’s raquet ball thingy, was diminutive fireplug former jr. midd/mdiddleweight contender James “Hardrock” Green swatting bubbles blown by his trainer from one of those kiddie bubble blowing plastic containers.
[...] a recent post, I’ve received several questions about other low-tech reaction drills. Fortunately, you [...]
It is brilliant and fun exercise. I use it regularly to supply my training.
It is also great while I learn something (currently for tests for example) and need to stay focused. I make short rests (5 – 10 minutes) punching tennis ball and when I start studying again, my mind is much sharper. Try it, works perfect.
I found a cord like this at a local arts and crafts store and just tied it around the tennis ball. Takes some time to get comfortable with this device but just tying it around the ball really tight or making 2 slits with a razor side by side and then lacing the cord through would also work.
[...] tool that required nothing more than a tennis ball, an elastic cord, and a hat (original entry here). Since posting those video clips, I’ve received several questions about making one of [...]
Update – I posted a revised entry with pictures that detail the simple construction process. Refer to the link below:
http://rosstraining.com/blog/2012/01/23/tennis-ball-reaction-training-part-2/