1. Stand Up and Fight
The boxing stance is the cornerstone for throwing punches. Place your feet shoulder-width apart with your weight equally balanced on both legs. Right-handed boxers stand squarely with their left foot in front. Left-handed boxers lead with their right. Bend your knees slightly so you can pivot off your back foot when punching. Hold your hands up in a ready position. Right-handers lead off with their left hand. Place your left boxing glove at eye level within six inches of your face. Hold your other glove alongside your chin keeping your elbow tight to your body. Lower your chin to protect your jaw. Reverse hand positioning for left-handed boxers.
2. Get On Your Feet
How you move your feet while boxing is as important as your stance and hand position. Pushing off with your feet allows more efficient movement around the ring. To move forward, right-handed boxers lift their left heel off the ground slightly and pivot (turn) off their right leg. Reverse direction by lifting your right heel and pushing off with your left foot. Moving side to side requires moving your right foot first. Start with your left foot to go in that direction. Reverse foot positioning for left-handers.
3. Jab It Out
The jab is a boxer's strongest punch, working offense and defense. This punch sets the stage for most other boxing combinations. Right-handed boxers jab with their left; left-handed boxers with their right. Get in your boxing stance with your hands up. Extend your arm out straight from your chin. Rotate your hand clockwise about 90 degrees. Point your thumb down as you make contact with your target. Bring your left hand back to your chin immediately. Your right hand stays "ready" to protect your jaw. For more power, move your body one-half step forward when punching.
4. Cross It Over
A boxer's cross is another power punch. The power comes from rotating your body and transferring your weight. Right-handed boxers cross with their right; left-handed boxers with their left. Get in your boxing stance with your hands up. Pivot off your back foot as you release your punch. Extend your arm out straight from your chin. Bring the right hand back to your chin immediately. Your left hand stays "ready" to protect your jaw from your opponent's counter punch. For more power, move your body one-half step forward when executing.
5. Pack a 1-2 Punch
Now you are ready to throw the jab-cross or the 1-2 combination, one of the most common boxing combos. The 1-2 combination is effective because your jab distracts your adversary from your knock out cross. In your boxing stance with your hands up, "snap" out your jab. When that hand returns to your chin fire off your cross. Concentrate on pivoting with your cross. Throwing more 1-2 punches improves your speed. Only throw punches when stationary. Punching while moving puts you off balance and diminishes the punch's effectiveness.
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