What is a Focus Mitt ?

A focus mitt is a padded target attached to a glove and usually used in training boxers and other combat athletes.
The person holding the focus mitts will typically call out combinations and "feed" the puncher good counter-force while maneuvering and working specific skills. 

Focus mitts are often used as an augment to sparring, with more explicit focus on the puncher than the feeder, especially to develop good punch combinations and defensive maneuvers such as "slipping," "bobbing" and "weaving."

 

Various shapes of focus mitt

When wearing focus mitts it is important not merely to hold them but to actively "feed" them into the punches, to balance their force and prevent injury to both parties.

Similar to a focus mitt but designed for different purposes are heavier thai pads used in muay thai boxing and kicking shields used in a variety of martial arts to help gauge distance and practice techniques with kicks, knees and elbows.

Focus mitt used to practice martial arts technique. Pict: geri-age (kick technique) in karate

Working with focus mitts
 

The holder must also wear protective gears (mouth guard and head gear) in case the striker misses and accidentally hits the holder. It is often said that holding focus mitts can be as taxing as striking them.

Typically, the person wearing the focus mitts will yell a number that represents a combination. For example, yelling "three!" might signify that the striker should throw a jab, followed by a cross, followed by a hook in rapid succession. 

Defensive maneuvers are often incorporated into the combinations as well. The holder must be able to counterbalance the force of the blows by giving or pushing back a little on contact, feeding into each blow.
 

Improving punching technique relies upon the person wearing the focus mitts knowing where to set his/her hands, as well as knowing how to time the movement of the focus mitts. Typically the holder will comment on how the striker can improve his/her technique between combinations. The coach can mimic the opponents moves and train the boxer to respond accordingly. Speed, balance, reflexes, and reaction time are also harnessed.
 

The focus mitt training sharpen the concepts of striking in combination, solid movement, incorporating defense, and finishing with system practical control methods. This method of training moves beyond mere technical requirements and moves into the realm of integrating all aspects of defense based skills as well as developing a combative mindset.[FM]