Boxing demands that participants enter the ring in the best condition possible. You are trying to defend yourself against opponents who are trying to hit you with hard punches. If you come into the ring in less than the best condition, you may hurt yourself. Once you get yourself in shape, there are five steps to becoming a solid boxer. Although these steps focus on right-handed boxers, prepare for the occasional southpaw boxer as well.
Jab
The left jab -- for a right-handed boxer -- is often the key to being successful in the ring. The left jab sets the tone for the fight. A boxer who can deliver a left jab with speed, accuracy and nasty intent can keep his opponent on the defensive and dictate the pace of the fight.
Movement
A good boxer moves in the ring and makes himself difficult to hit. A boxer who is a stationary target is easy to hit. Not only must you move your feet -- circling to your left is a good way to start -- but you must also have head movement and neck movement to avoid punches. There is no way you can avoid every punch, and boxers need the ability to take a punch and keep fighting. But the best way to survive in the ring is to avoid the punch by moving and making yourself difficult to hit.
Defense
Defense goes hand in hand with movement in the ring. Blocking punches is a skill that all fighters must develop. Keep your hands up high to give you the best chance of blocking hard punches. Your left hand should block your opponent's power shots from his right hand. If you can stop his left jab with your right hand, you can step inside and deliver a right hand of your own.
Power Punches
Boxers must develop punching power to compete on even terms in the ring. No matter how quick you are and how effective your jab is, if you can't deliver a powerful punch with either hand, your opponent will not respect your ability in the ring. He may be willing to absorb two or three jabs to set up his own power punch because he doesn't respect your power. Hitting the heavy bag every day in the gym can help your deliver a harder punch.
Combinations
Boxers quickly learn that winning fights and dominating in the ring are about the ability to throw punches in combinations. Typical punch combinations include left jab, right cross, left hook; left jab, left jab, right cross and left jab, left hook, right uppercut. These combinations allow you to hurt your opponent -- the object of boxing -- and dominate the fight. This may help you register a knock down or a knockout.
Member Comments