How to prevent arm hyper extension in MMA?

[brettwolfe11]

Hey guys, When im shadow boxing or just pretending to be punching someone who isn't there I occasionaly get a little pain cause I throw my arm out too far or something and its pain in my elbow. It only hurts for a second but im just curious how I can punch as hard if I dont fully extend my arms and snapping them out when I punch. Also, If I punch a heavy bag and I start going hard and hitting as hard as possible sometimes if I accidently miss the bag it will hurt my arm because I was expecting to make contact with the bag and I didn't so it caused a little hyperextension. Help Please! thanks guys

 

[mdduff]

This is common problem in martial arts. I have know more than a few practioners who, after years of training, have permanent joint pains because of the same issue. You may be able to slow down the damage process by not fully extending your arms in training (goes for knees in kicks as well). You can still apply full power up to that point. In combat, extend the joints (you'll miss the opponent a lot more than you might miss a stationary heavy bag anyway). Ice your joints after practice to reduce as much inflammation as possible.

 

[DarbD]

you wouldn't take physician's advice from a fighter would you?

shadow boxing is to be done slower than real fighting and hitting real objects. you can't throw your hands that fast in mid air, makes sense right. shadowing is for repetition and practice. hand pads and the bag are for speed (where speed equates to power).

there's no reason to miss a punching bag, that's terrible form against an object that doesn't even move itself