In boxing, a good boxer is supposed to easily take a punch to the face. This is what’s known as having an “iron chin” or “granite chin”.
On the other hand, a boxer that can’t take a punch to the face is said to have a “glass jaw.”
Even if you have excellent defense and head movement in the ring, you’ll take hard blows to the head occasionally.
So how do professional boxers train their chin to take a punch?
This article will discuss how to get a stronger chin for boxing.
How To Get A Stronger Chin For Boxing
First, we should review the basics. In your basic stance, make sure to have your chin tucked while keeping your head forward. Present your forehead when coming forward towards your opponent.
Keeping your chin inwards is the best way to protect it.
Now, the secret to getting a strong chin for boxing is to train your neck muscles.
It’s impossible to train the jaw muscles to take a punch; instead, you can train the neck muscles to provide punch resistance.
It’s enough to keep you from getting knocked out from a heavy punch that will rattle your skull and brain.
To get a strong chin for boxing, do these neck exercises slowly for maximum effect:
- Seated Front Head Raise
- Seated Side Head Raise
- Modified Bridges
- Neck Strap With Weights
- Roll With The Punch (Bonus)
Seated Front Head Raise
The first exercise you can do to get a stronger chin for boxing is the seated front head raise.
It’s a simple but great exercise to increase neck strength and prepare your head for getting hit with an uppercut.
- First, you’ll be seated for your starting position.
- Next, raise and extend your chin upwards until you can’t go any further.
- Last, return to the starting position.
Do this for 10 repetitions, in sets of 3.
Seated Side Head Raise
Next is the seated side head raise, which is similar to the seated front head raise.
Like the seated front head raise, it’s a great exercise to increase neck strength and prepare your head for getting hit with a hook.
- First, you’ll be seated for your starting position.
- Next, extend your chin to the left until you can’t go any further, then return to the starting position.
- Last, extend your chin to the right and then back to the neutral position.
Do this for 10 repetitions, in sets of 3.
To maximize neck strength, combine this exercise with the seated front head raise and make a full rotation of the neck.
Modified Bridges
Next are modified bridges, which is more difficult than the two exercises previously mentioned.
In this exercise, you’ll use your whole body to provide your neck’s full range of motion.
- First, lie down on your back with your hands flat down on the ground.
- Next, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground.
- Next, slowly raise your hips while keeping your head on the ground.
- Last, return to the starting position.
As you raise your hips to their full range, you should feel the tension on your neck muscles. Take care when doing this exercise, since you’re resting your body’s weight on your neck.
Do this for 10 repetitions, in sets of 3.
Neck Strap With Weights
Last is by using a neck strap with weights, which is the most advanced exercise on our list.
It’s identical to the first exercise, the seated front head raise, except this time with you’ll do it standing and with weights.
- First, attach a neck strap with weight around your neck and let your head hang.
- Next, raise your head until you can’t extend any further.
- Last, return to the neutral position.
Start with low weight especially if you’re not used to the movements. Even if you use a low weight, it will still give you plenty of resistance.
Do this for 10 repetitions, in sets of 3.
Roll With The Punch
This is more of a bonus tip.
Sometimes you’ll see a boxer take a punch to the chin well and think he has a strong chin.
Instead, he anticipated the punch and followed its momentum with his chin a moment before impact.
This is particularly hard to do since your timing has to be on point.
Conclusion
Even if you keep your chin tucked and head forward, you’re bound to get hit with a good shot. Knowing how to get a stronger chin for boxing is important.
Having strong neck muscles is the key to getting a strong chin in boxing and other combat sports.
According to research, this will reduce the chances of head trauma and brain damage since your neck muscles will absorb the shock of the blow.
In professional boxing, you’ve probably seen Mike Tyson doing neck exercises to prepare for a fight. As a result, he has huge shoulder and neck muscles, and has a better chin than his opponent.
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