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Boxing Techniques For Beginners

June 9th, 2010

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If you are a beginner to the sport of boxing, there are some tips that can help you to get started correctly. It is important to learn the correct posture, body positioning and stance early on so that you do not develop bad habits that can be much harder to break down the road.

The position of ones’ body is an important first step in learning boxing techniques. One should stand fully upright with legs apart approximately shoulder width with the rear foot a half step behind the lead (or front) foot. The proper lead foot for you will depend on whether you are right handed or left handed. Right handed boxers will have their left foot as the lead foot and left handed boxers will have their right foot in front. Toes should be pointed very slightly inward with the bulk of ones’ weight on the lead foot. Arms are raised with the lead fist at eye level about 6-8″ away from the face. The other fist should be at chin level with elbows close to the body. Chin should be down and close to the chest. This body positioning allows for the quick, forceful movements that are inherent to the sport of boxing and offer the greatest protection. Getting into this body stance should be practiced repeatedly until it feels completely natural to the beginning boxer. One should practice the various punches that are most effective in wearing down the opponent.

The “jab” is a common punch used by all boxers. It is a very quick, straight ahead punch in which your body rotates slightly. When the jabbing arm is fully extended toward the target it leaves the shoulder in a position to protect the chin area. The other fist is in a guard position near the chin as well.

The “cross” is another powerful strike that comes from the rear hand. It is also a quick. forceful and straight across movement which again results in slight body rotation. In a similar manner to the jab, the alternate hand (the lead hand) is protecting the face from counter punches.

The “hook” is performed as a semi-circular punch from the lead hand. The arm swings in a horizontal arc toward the opponent. Most hook shots aim for the chin but there can be other target areas as well. In this punch, the lead foot pivots as the rear heel turns outwardly.

The “uppercut” is performed with the rear hand as it rises in an upward arc toward its’ intended target. The knees are slightly bent at the beginning of this punch but with the upward motion of the arm, the knees also push upward. This movement adds additional power to the punch.

Training for boxing is essential if one desires to gain competence. Punching bags or punching dummies are a great way to help one become proficient at this sport.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in basketball backboards and punching dummies.

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Beginners Guide to Punch bags

March 20th, 2010

Choosing the right punch bags

Boxing training is one of the best ways to get fit and stay fit. In every boxing gym you will see a heavy punch bag, a punch bag is an essential part of a boxer’s training programme to build stamina, develop punching power and practice combinations.

Punch bags come in all different shapes, sizes and materials. The most common punch bag is the straight ones, these are available in all sizes from 3ft – 5ft, they are perfect for practicing straight punches and hooks.

Kickboxing gyms prefer the 5ft long straight bags, this is perfect for practicing punches and elbow strikes also knee strikes, low kicks and high level kicks.

The angled punch bag has a much wider top and is tapered, this bag is useful for practicing the uppercut and advanced combinations.

Leather punch bags might cost more but they are heavy duty and built to take a pounding, quality leather punch bags usually have an inner foam jacket for a more responsive feel and kindness to your hands and wrist, also they tend to be machine filled to give greater shock absorption, you will find leather punch bags in most boxing gyms.

Punch bags made from PU, canvas or vinyl are perfect for home use and fitness gyms, they usually come with a soft rag filling for kindness to your hands and wrists.

When using punch bags, always wear hand wraps and gloves. Remember to punch the bag and not push it, work on your combinations both head height and to the body, keep on your toes and move around the bag.

Most trainers will give their boxers a certain routine with a number of rounds, see below for an example.

The first round would be just throwing a fast jab and double jab, moving around the bag bobbing and weaving and throwing the odd jab, cross.., this round would be two minutes long with 30 seconds rest.

The second round you would add the left hook to the combination, remember to hook to body and head, bobbing and weaving, moving round the bag and keep a nice tight guard.

This is just a basic example of a punch bag routine, you can find more routines and boxing articles at www.ukboxingstore.co.uk

For other articles on boxing workouts and also to see quality boxing equipment. Visit http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk

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Beginner’s Guide to Sparring

January 7th, 2010

GUIDE TO SPARRING

Sparring is an essential part of any boxer’s training programme whether Amateur or Professional.

Punch bags and focus pads are O.K to develop timing, power, technique and fitness but they don’t hit back!

A sparring partner is required to learn the true actions and reactions of an opponent. Your boxing coach will tell you when you are ready for sparring, this will be when your boxing education really begins.

There are two levels of sparring, body sparring and open sparring. Both levels should be supervised at all times by a competent coach.

BODY SPARRING

The next step up from the punch bags is body sparring, this is where boxers can punch from the neck down to the waist. Although no head contact is allowed, it is recommended that both boxers wear protective equipment in the event of stray punches – A good quality Headguard (Leather), gumshield, no foul protector / groin guard and 16oz sparring gloves.

This method of sparring is a great way for conditioning the body and mind to diminish the fear of being hit and also hitting somebody.

You will stay at this level until your coach thinks you are ready to step up to open sparring.

OPEN SPARRING

Open sparring is where punches to the body and head is allowed.

As with body sparring, all the protective equipment must be worn. Your first sparring session must be highly controlled, remember you are still learning and you should not be trying to beat up your sparring partner.

It takes some time to accept getting hit, at first you might get mad but it’s better to keep your composure and try and figure out why you got hit in the first place.

You should go into every session with the intention to practice everything your coach has told you. For example, you might be working on sharpening your left jab and keeping your right hand close to your jaw, or you might be slipping punches and bobbing and weaving.

Listen to your coach and train hard!

See our other articles about boxing techniques also beginners and advanced sparring drills. Also view a wide range of boxing equipment at UK Boxing store

View other boxing articles at http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk where you can also get quality sparring gloves, groinguards and gumshields.

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Boxing Tips For Beginners

December 8th, 2009

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Boxing is a sport that requires intense workout without having to tear your muscles and joints. The best beginner boxing tip one can give is to first improve their whole body strength. Their exercise regime should be vigorous and exciting; it should burn a lot of calories, improve their body’s endurance and help develop mental toughness. Because in boxing, not only do you have to stay upright and fighting, you have to remain calm and condiment to beat your opponent and not succumb to his intimidation.

Intensity is the name of the game. Workout drills should last 2-3 minutes at a time and recovery period of 60 seconds in between is everyone’s boxing tips for beginners. Work your heart out 90% at a time and learn to recover efficiently in just a minute break between drills. This could help you in the boxing match where you always work on your heart rate to the maximum, it is essential to recover fast and be as good as new.

Keep you exercise regime and you will gain strength as you go along. Boxers use weights, boxing equipments that are customized and a device called plyometric to maximize the burning of the calories and to increase lean muscle mass. This can help in you speed, endurance and power. This is a great boxing tip for beginners.

Hitting the heavy bag is probably the most popular exercise technique in boxing. Strike hard, strike swift and put force into all your punches. Power punch is not the only thing to learn here, one should also apply the footwork and the movements needed in the ring and incorporate it with the punches, that way you will soon do your footwork naturally and does not have to think too much of it. But do not focus too much on the heavy bag; it is not the only equipment you can exercise with. Another boxing tip for beginners is to stretch your muscles power them up but do not stay on one track for a long time. Keep your muscles entertained with different short exercise drills to keep your heart to a maximum rate.

Stamina can be improved in short drills; you need to strengthen your body in a fast and intense pace to keep your heart rate up. They refer to this as the Olympic Drill; punching quick and heavy for two to three minutes then followed by a rest period of 30-60 seconds. Boxing tips for beginners and pros are basically alike; eat right, exercise regularly and peace of mind. Because boxing is a fight with your heart, body and mind.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

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