Sport Specific · Program 71

Boxing & Striking Endurance

For the shoulder endurance that holds a guard up and lands punches round after round. It builds the base with activation, reverse flies, external rotation, and circles, then extends the rounds with explosive presses, overhead holds, rotational power throws, and A-shape pulls. The finish lets you punch without fading with postural endurance, low-to-high diagonal power, serve and throw simulation, and anti-protraction.

Focus · Combat / strikingFrequency · 3-4 days / weekSession · 15-25 min
Boxing & Striking Endurance cover art

Phase 1 · Build the Base

Build the endurance base. Scapular activation, reverse flies, external rotation, and circles prepare the shoulder to work round after round. A solid base is what lets you sustain output past the early rounds.

01

Scapular Activation (Uncrossed)

2-3 sets of 12-15 repsLow Anchor

General scapular activation for multiple programs. Excellent for rehab and postural training.

How To
1Activate scapular muscles through various pulling and stabilization patterns.
2Focus on scapular control and activation.
Coaching Cues
Focus on scapular movement quality
control patterns
activate commonly inhibited muscles
Muscles Activated
Lower TrapeziusSerratus Anterior
02

Reverse Fly (Uncrossed)

2-3 sets of 15-20 repsHigh Anchor

Fundamental posterior chain exercise. Excellent for postural correction and activation across all programs.

How To
1Stand facing anchor point, arms extended forward at shoulder height.
2Pull arms apart horizontally, squeezing shoulder blades together.
Coaching Cues
Keep slight bend in elbows
lead with pinkies
pause at full retraction
avoid using momentum
Muscles Activated
Posterior DeltoidRhomboidsMiddle Trapezius
03

External Rotation Series

2-3 sets of 15-20 reps (per side)Mid Anchor

Comprehensive external rotation training at multiple angles. Excellent for endurance and rotator cuff health.

How To
1Perform external rotation at different arm angles (0, 45, 90 degrees).
2Focus on endurance and varied positions.
Coaching Cues
Vary arm angles
slow controlled tempo
focus on endurance
maintain form throughout series
Muscles Activated
Posterior DeltoidInfraspinatusTeres MinorExternal Rotators
04

Multi-Level Shoulder Circles (Variable)

2 sets of 12-15 repsMid Anchor

Universal mobility exercise for comprehensive shoulder movement. Adaptable to all programs and populations.

How To
1Perform large shoulder circles with light resistance in both directions.
2Focus on full range of motion and circulation.
Coaching Cues
Large range of motion
both directions
gentle resistance
focus on mobility and circulation
Muscles Activated
Scapular Stabilizers

Phase 2 · Extend the Rounds

Extend the rounds. Explosive presses, overhead holds, rotational power throws, and A-shape pulls build the strength endurance to keep the hands up and punches sharp. Extending your working capacity is what wins late rounds.

01

Explosive Overhead Press (Uncrossed)

4 sets of 6-8 reps, explosiveLow Anchor

Develops overhead power and strength. Adjust tempo from explosive (sports) to controlled (rehab).

How To
1Stand facing away from low anchor or step on bands.
2Press arms overhead explosively.
3Lower with control to shoulder level.
Coaching Cues
Drive through heels
press straight up
reach tall at top
control the descent
keep core engaged
Muscles Activated
Anterior DeltoidSerratus AnteriorTriceps
02

Overhead Position Holds (Uncrossed)

3 holds of 30-40 secondsLow Anchor

Builds isometric overhead strength and stability. Critical for overhead athletes and blocking sports.

How To
1Press arms overhead and hold position against band resistance.
2Focus on stability and endurance in overhead position.
Coaching Cues
Hold steady position
breathe normally during holds
resist perturbations
maintain overhead alignment
Muscles Activated
Anterior DeltoidSerratus AnteriorTricepsCore
03

Rotational Power Throws (Alternating)

4 sets of 6-8 reps, explosiveMid Anchor

Maximum rotational power for sports. Develops core integration and striking/throwing power.

How To
1Rotate explosively alternating directions, simulating powerful rotational motions with maximum velocity.
2Focus on core engagement.
Coaching Cues
Maximum rotation speed
engage core
maintain balance
use whole body for power generation
Muscles Activated
Anterior DeltoidPosterior DeltoidCore
04

A Shape Pulls

2-3 sets of 15-20 repsMid Anchor

Isolated scapular retraction at 45 degree arm angle. Targets mid-trapezius and rhomboids for postural correction. Excellent for addressing rounded shoulder posture and upper crossed syndrome. Can be used in isolation or as part of combination sequences.

How To
1Stand facing mid-level anchor, arms extended forward and down at approximately 45 degree angle forming letter A shape.
2Pull bands back horizontally, squeezing shoulder blades together while maintaining arm angle.
3Focus on scapular retraction without excessive shoulder elevation.
4Return with control to start position.
Coaching Cues
Maintain 45 degree arm angle throughout
lead with elbows and pinkies
avoid shrugging shoulders
focus on horizontal pull
squeeze shoulder blades at end range
control eccentric phase
chest up and proud throughout.
Muscles Activated
Posterior DeltoidRhomboidsMiddle TrapeziusExternal RotatorsScapular Stabilizers

Phase 3 · Punch Without Fading

Punch without fading. Postural endurance, low-to-high diagonal power, serve and throw simulation, around-the-worlds, and anti-protraction train the shoulder to hold form under deep fatigue. You finish throwing hard in the last round.

01

Postural Endurance Training (Uncrossed)

2-3 sets of 15-20 repsHigh Anchor

Builds endurance for sustained postural demands. Excellent for occupational and postural training.

How To
1Perform sustained holds or higher repetition posterior chain exercises.
2Build endurance for daily demands.
Coaching Cues
Focus on endurance over strength
maintain form throughout
progressive duration increases
Muscles Activated
RhomboidsMiddle Trapezius
02

Low to High Diagonal Power (Uncrossed)

4 sets of 6-8 reps, explosiveLow Anchor

Functional diagonal patterns. Excellent for throwing sports and kinetic chain development.

How To
1Pull explosively from low to high in diagonal pattern.
2Use legs and core for power generation.
3Complete follow-through.
Coaching Cues
Use legs and core
explosive upward pull
complete follow-through
integrate whole body movement
Muscles Activated
Anterior DeltoidSerratus AnteriorCoreScapular Stabilizers
03

Serve/Throw Motion Simulation (Crossed)

4 sets of 6-8 reps, explosiveMid Anchor

Sport-specific movement patterns. Excellent for tennis, volleyball, and throwing sports preparation.

How To
1Simulate sport-specific serving or throwing motions with controlled resistance.
2Focus on proper mechanics and timing.
Coaching Cues
Slow controlled motion
emphasize proper mechanics
sport-specific patterns
quality over speed
Muscles Activated
Posterior DeltoidSerratus AnteriorExternal Rotators
04

Around The World

2 sets of 12-15 repsHigh Anchor

Targeted shoulder mobility and stabilization exercise. Focuses heavily on the lateral and posterior deltoids, rotator cuff, and scapular control along the lateral plane of the body. Excellent for building shoulder endurance, improving overhead range of motion, and correcting forward-rolling shoulder posture.

How To
1Stand facing away from the high anchor point with feet close together.
2Begin with arms straight, highly stretched out, and extended overhead in a wide V shape.
3Slowly sweep both hands downward and outward to the sides in a massive horizontal arc until they reach the sides of the hips.
4Actively raise the straight arms back up along the same wide, lateral path to return to the starting position.
Coaching Cues
Keep arms fully extended and locked out to the sides throughout the movement
maintain the wide lateral plane without letting the hands drift forward in front of the body
think about reaching outward toward the walls to maximize shoulder engagement
mindfully lift the arms back to the top position as the resistance bands slacken.
Muscles Activated
05

Anti-Protraction Strengthening (Uncrossed)

2-3 sets of 15-20 repsLow Anchor

Counters forward shoulder posture from prolonged sitting. Strengthens posterior chain.

How To
1Stand facing low anchor, resist forward pull of bands by maintaining retracted shoulder position.
2Focus on posterior strength.
Coaching Cues
Resist protraction forces
maintain good posture
engage posterior chain
counter forward positioning
Muscles Activated
Posterior DeltoidRhomboidsMiddle Trapezius
Get the gear

Train this program with Iron Neck shoulder bands

Cloth wrapped bands with graduated resistance and a door anchor for high, mid, and low setups. Everything this program calls for, in one kit.

Prehab and Performance Shoulder Bands (Set of 6)
Prehab and Performance Shoulder Bands (Set of 6) $199.00
Set your resistance

Light, medium, or heavy?

We call for an effort level instead of a specific weight, because the right resistance depends on you, the movement, and where you are in your training. For the sets and reps listed on each exercise, pick the resistance that makes the last few reps feel like the level shown.

Light

You finish the set with several clean reps still in the tank. The work stays easy and fully controlled from the first rep to the last.

Medium

You could manage a few more reps at the end, but not many. The final reps take real effort while your form holds.

Heavy

You reach the last prescribed rep with little or nothing left. Completing every rep with good form is genuinely hard.

These are starting points, not rules. Everyone is built differently, so adjust to fit you: size down if your form breaks before the final rep or a movement aggravates a symptom, and only size up once every rep feels smooth and pain free. When you are unsure, choose the lighter option.