any ways to improve head movement and reaction time

Practice I think. You should start to get used to the angles so you just react to the movement.

 

Reflexes are natural my friend. Although you can maximise them like any other attribute. Double end bags are excellent for head movement.

 

The best piece of equipment in the gym by far, in my opinion, besides a human opponent. Twice as valuable as anything else, because it's just about the closest to real feedback you can get; however much time you spend on a heavy bag, spend twice as long on this.

 

Shadowbox on two rubber Medicine Balls.

 

Simple, practice. There was a video posted not too long ago called the slipping drill, having a partner throw punches at you while you slip with your hands down. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel

 

i got a double end bag for home, with my shoulder stuffed im finding it easier on it than the heavy bag i have!

and recommend one highly, really feel like iv got my eye back in and you start to realize how much you forget about defenses and head movement by over using the H bag

 

In both cases it is a skill that grows with time but the learning curves are different. If you are a natural, which it sounds like you aren't, it just happens. If you are a normal, which it sounds like you are, you slip, duck, "react", etc... BEFORE the punch is thrown because the next punch is the logical punch.

For example, if a guy throws a jab at you and takes a step toward you? You know the straight is the next logical punch, so you slip down and in or roll under. If he jabs and moves back, you know that the uppercut is coming so you pull back, rush in faster, move laterally, etc... It is all about the "logical" punch and slipping BEFORE it happens. The Plan B punch will never have as much steam on it.

Shadow Box and imagine yourself looking at your opponents body and doing the appropriate slip. Parry/slip the jab and roll under. Block the retreating jab and go into a crunched high guard moving forward in a rush, etc... Spar with the intention of being reactionary versus fully offensive. The key for a guy without the "gifts" is anticipation based on being a student of The Sweet Science.

 

Always good advice from Baldy :thumbsup
Also I would say is just practicing looking in the mirror and practice your head movement. I had a problem a while back because I could react in time, but I couldn't move out the way quick enough, so I worked on the fluidity of my movements and just practiced slipping as quick as I can

 

Thanks man.

I agree with your advice, but only to a point. A man can lie to the world, but he should never lie to himself. If you are "that dude" you can do "those things". If you are not "him"? Stick to fundamentals! :yep

The problem with "practicing" certain things that are very "gift driven" is that it only takes one clean punch to change a fight. The punch where you "find out" if he is "too fast" for all that fancy crap you been practicing? Might be the same punch that has the ref cradling your head and the doctor shining light in your eyes. :shock:

If he is asking these questions? He ain't "that dude".

 

good point. Trying to "act" slick can be dangerous if you're not good at it

 

For head movement and sharpening reflexes:

- Counter-punching drills on focus pads and during sparring. Work on counters for all types of punches (straights/hooks/uppercuts, left/right hand, body/head shots). And slowly incorporate footwork. PBF does these ad nauseam. He does it so much that he can probably counter-punch you to death for 50+ rounds if he needed to.

- If you can't find a training partner, you can also do slip line and maize ball drills. Iron Mike looked godly when he does maize ball drills, it's freakin scary.

 

Oh with the medicine balls, do it barefoot, gives the feet a massage. Plus a better nuerological response.

 

You wont see a lot coming if you're out of shape so it might be obvious that you can't see much coming or think straight when you're oxygen deprived so this is another reason to stay in top condition.

 

in addition to what many of the comments read about the double end bag, be in shape. you have to be able to allow your reflexes to work. abs, lower back legs all work together here. make sure they are strong. also, make sure you are breathing right. don't hold your breath beacuse it'll get you in trouble.