| There are many ways to practice your shadow work. | | | | must not be forgotten here. |
| When i refer to shadow work i don't mean just | | | | MMA - All of the above, plus sprawls, simulated |
| shadow boxing. There are many phases of shadow | | | | throws and take downs (also rolls and ground fighting |
| work that i practice. | | | | drills can be incorporated here) |
| These are, | | | | Karate - Where street orientated strikes and defense |
| Punching - Where just individual punches are used on | | | | are used. Elbows, knees, low blows, low kicks. |
| there own and in combinations | | | | As you can see i practice a wide variety of shadow |
| Defense - Where just blocks, slipping, bobbing and | | | | training, which are specific to martial artists. There are |
| weaving is used. | | | | probably more and I welcome your comments. Its best |
| Boxing - Punching and defense combined. | | | | to do about 60-80% of your shadow work at a speed |
| Kicking - Where just kicks are used, including low kicks | | | | which is not your fastest so as it does not become |
| to thigh area and sweeps. | | | | sloppy. When practising, always keep an eye on your |
| Kickboxing - All of the above. | | | | guard, correct body movement (turning hips on |
| Thai boxing - All of the above plus knees, elbows and | | | | punches etc) and pace yourself. It is also |
| stop hits. | | | | recommended that occasionally you work at your |
| Close quarter combat - Staying within one meter of a | | | | highest speed. For a good workout do each type of |
| wall and using whatever strikes are possible without | | | | shadow fighting for 2-3 minutes taking a 30 second |
| moving away from the wall (mainly just knees and | | | | break between each one, and try and work each |
| elbows, although hooks, uppercuts and close strikes | | | | phase at least twice! |
| are possible, depending on distance). Shadow defense | | | | |