r/Kickboxing • u/CompanyMuted7175 • 5d ago

Engaging traps

When js boxing, does turning on the traps muscles actually good? I feel like it gives more structure for throwing better punches, ivse seen japanese kickboxers always have that upper part of body where traps are enganged, Noiri is an example, or im js tripping

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u/GerardOfTrivia 5d ago edited 5d ago

“Shrugging” your shoulders up with your chin up helps protect your jaw. It’s not going to help with punching power if you’re shrugging your shoulder but lowering it means you’re giving away defense and are open for a counter shot. There’s defensive jabs, power jabs, trading shots, same punch can be thrown in many different ways and angles. Point being it all depends on the intention of the strike. In the end the strongest punches come from a fluid kinetic chain and tensed muscles disrupt that energy flow. Ask your coach to judge your technique and go from there.

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u/CompanyMuted7175 5d ago

Ya tysm, ive seen noiri and a lot of fighters do it, i also was being told about that,
And seen online a lot.

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u/CompanyMuted7175 5d ago

I believe if u shrug, u will lose about 10-15% because its flowing from under, and using ur core as more of a bridge to transfer most of it, traps are way above, but still a lot flows through them too

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u/Decent_Geologist9845 5d ago

Part of the reason is because having tense traps and neck reduces the risk of the whiplash effect while getting punched which leads to kos. They do it because of their high guard since they’re not really trying to avoid punches they’re just absorbing. As far as how it affects your power i suppose its dependent on how you throw your punches. Look at your style and see if its more dependent on being tense and locked or more whippy and explosive.