Boxing Training

When looking at boxing training programs, variations to the standard right jab are key. Following are some of the most effective variations of punches used in boxing which are not difficult to master.

Left Jab-Right to the Body-Left Hook to the Jaw

Against a boxer who carries his left elbow high or extends it too far out from the body thereby leaving an opening for a right to the body, the following sequence is effective: a left jab to the jaw; a right to the body under the opponent’s high left, moving in at the same time to be able to follow with the left . The puncher draws back his left high to protect his chin and to be closer to the target. After the right to the body the opponent often drops his hands, thereby leaving an opening for the third punch, the left hook to the chin.

Against a tense or tightened-up opponent, a left feint to the body may be used. The puncher feints to the body to draw the opponent’s hands down. This is often effective at the start of the first round. This may be followed by a lefty to the chin. With the opponent’s hands drawn down, the puncher whips across a left hook to the chin.

Double Left Hook

The puncher throws this move to the body lightly, to draw his opponent’s hand down. The puncher must make sure his own chin is covered with his right glove. This is followed by a left hook to the chin. The puncher, after drawing his opponent’s hands down, whips a hook to the chin. This variation is very effective, but, again, is dangerous because of exposing the chin. A sharp right-hand counter usually does the trick against the careless body puncher.

In keeping with this aspect of boxing training programs, against a nervous, tense opponent, the following variation usually works: The puncher feints with a left jab to draw the opponent’s right glove away from his jaw. This is followed by a left hook. The puncher, after drawing out the right hand of his opponent, has a good shot at his chin with a fast left hook. The right hand is kept back and high, ready to follow up the left hook with a sharp right if the opportunity arises.

The puncher immediately follows the left hook with his right cross. This variation is often used in place of the left-right-hook, making it a left-hook-right sequence.

Many more variations might be suggested but it has been my experience that giving the boys too many punch sequences tends to confuse rather than help them. The previously-mentioned variations and sequences, along with the regular fundamentals, are sufficient for any boxer.

The Right Uppercut

I suggest spending comparatively little time in your boxing training programs on the right uppercut. Only if the opponent has his head bent down and forward, and is coming forward, is the punch effective. We once taught our Wisconsin boxers the right uppercut and worked on the punch for one week before we met a particular team.

This was only because the boxers on that team were coached in a boring-in style against which the uppercut was very effective. Since those particular matches we have not been fortunate enough to meet a team whose boxers were “cousins” for right uppercuts. Consideration of left uppercuts is purposely omitted. I have never seen an effective left uppercut. I occasionally hear about them.
However, practice of these boxing training tips and other variations will be of benefit to the young boxer.

boxing training tips racticing the One-Two Punch

Starting from the correct on-guard position the puncher throws the left jab and moves into position for the right-hand shot. He holds his right hand back to keep his opponent guessing as to whether or not he will throw more jabs, a left hook, or the right hand. The blocker keeps his shoulder high and rolls to his right just slightly.

The puncher immediately follows the left jab with the right cross. The left is snapped back for protection and is ready to go again. Proper timing is all-important. The right cross must instantly follow the left jab. The puncher must not telegraph his right by pulling it back, or by lifting up the elbow.

The right must be snapped right from the on-guard position. The block is the same as for the right cross. Again, the left is dropped by the puncher only for practice purposes. If the puncher hesitates between the punches, the blocker usually will counter with his left, thereby offsetting the right-hand shot.

The one-two punch is usually more effective after the puncher has bothered his opponent with a series of jabs, mixed in with a few left hooks, or a feint, followed by the left hook. The objective should be to bother the opponent so much with the left that a good right-hand opening is made. When the opening appears, the boxer should let the right fly without hesitation, and without trying to punch too hard. Stress to your boys that they must not punch hard, but fast, letting the speed provide the punch¬ing power.

Left to the Body

A left to the body is usually a dangerous offensive punch to lead with, but it is effective as a counter punch when slipping a left jab. To be on the safe side, warn your boys that they should never lead with a left jab to the body because of the danger of a right-hand counter. But they may use the left after slipping the opponent’s left jab, then countering with the left to the body.

Practicing the Left Counter to the Body

For this boxing training exercise both boys start off from the regular on-guard position

The puncher leads off with a left jab and the counter puncher moves his head to the right, just enough to slip the jab. The counter puncher throws his own left jab to the heart of his opponent.

The original puncher drops his right glove to his body to block the left counter. The same twisting motion of the fist is used by the boxer when executing both the left and the right to the body, as well as when punching the left and the right to the head. This step should be prac¬ticed over and over again so that the counter puncher will be able to duck and counter instinctively.

Right to the Body

The right to the body is also a dangerous punch with which to lead off, but it is effective as another counter punch after a left hand is thrown. This punch is really punishing and often ends a bout if executed correctly. It is difficult to train boys to punch to the body rather than to the head, but once they learn to do a good job of body punching, it certainly pays dividends.
We often ask: “Why hurt your hands on a hard head when there is so much body to punch at?” and then answer: “The point of the chin is only an inch long, whereas there is a foot of body to shoot at.”

Practicing the Right to the Body

Again from the regular on-guard position the original puncher leads off with a left jab and his opponent slips his head to his left, meanwhile throwing his right glove to the heart. The right glove is placed to catch the right to the body. This allows the counter puncher to put some zip into his punches. This boxing training procedure should be practiced many times, with the boys taking turns as puncher and counter-puncher.

Remember practice makes perfect.

When beginning boxing lessons, the coach should place all his boxers in a circle around himself while teaching the phases of the important on-guard position. We find that such mass instruction at the outset is much more beneficial than having the boys pair off immediately with gloves on. The length of training should be determined by the amount of previous boxing training each boxer has had.

Practicing the Left Jab

For this aspect of boxing lessons, both boys should be in the regular on-guard position. Stress here again that all punches start from and finish in the all-important on-guard position.

Changing positions with the start of a new punch spoils deception. When punches begin from on-guard position the opponent does not know whether a left, a right, a jab, or a hook is coming.
Both boys in a pair should simultaneously throw left jabs to the jaw. This is boxing training practice since both boys learn the block as well as the punch. The heads should roll a bit to the right, and the right hands should catch the left jabs just a few inches from the chins, but the right gloves still do not come into contact with the faces. Frequently a boxer makes the mistake of holding his right glove against his face. Also guard against the mistake of instinctively reaching out with the right glove to block a jab. Have your boys draw back into the on-guard position, practicing the blow and block. Stress again and again that, after the jab, the arm comes straight back, thereby offsetting a possible right-hand counter.

The puncher immediately follows the left jab with the right cross. Proper timing is all-important. The right cross must instantly follow the left jab.

Practicing the Right Cross

From the on-guard position the blocker for convenience lowers his left arm to give the puncher practice in landing the right cross.
The puncher follows straight through. His left hand is back protecting, and also in position to punch. Always, one hand out, one hand back. The puncher draws back into the on-guard position.

Counter for the Right Cross

For convenience in practice during boxing training, the blocker should drop his left arm. In an actual bout he would keep his left high and counter a right hand by a left jab to the shoulder of the original puncher or by a jab to the jaw. Emphasize that a good jabber can beat a right-hand puncher nine times out of ten. The left hand travels only a short distance to the point of contact, whereas the right cross must travel at least twice the distance to the point of contact.

If you practice these Boxing Training Tips in your boxing lessons you will be sure to show steady improvement.