[Raftrider]

I'm really interested in boxing. It looks very physically demanding and a great way to build endurance and coodination. I recieved a heavy bag as a gift from my dad last year. I threw caution to the wind and struck the bag as long and quickly as I could for a work out, but soon gave up on using it after I started to become way too exhausted coming home from school.

It's kind of strange for a girl to box, and my old man would rather me not....so I guess I'll have to settle for just "Shadow Boxing". Can any of you guys make some sort of guide with tips for me, listing instructions for correct form, punch execution, breathing, movement, tips, etc.? Or maybe direct me to a really great reference?

Thanks for your time.

[Umy]

Unfortunately its extremely extremely (notice the repetition ) hard to learn to box with good form alone, without someone who knows their stuff.

It's kind of strange for a girl to box

There is nothing wrong for a female to box, infact id actually encourage you more so if you have an interest in boxing to visit your local gym.

The reason for this is, yes, you are more likely to find a gym full of males rather than females as this is a male dominated sport. However, you will get a lot more attention as a female and will progress a lot quicker because of it.

If your dad is worried about you fighting, you dont have to fight, heck, you dont even have to spar if you dont want to, as long as you let the trainer at the gym know what you want from the gym 9 out of 10 times they will agree and respect your choice.

And just for the count ive had 2 sparring sessions female training partners and I got my ass handed to me in both

As for the bare basics of boxing, ive typed up a few articles on the basic stance so have a look at those if you like, im sure you'll pick up a lot by reading this thread as it has a lot of info in it on the basics (thanks to everyone who's added to it).

Here are a few points to consider when working on the bag:

• Keep your hands up!
  
  Chin tucked in
  
  Keep your stance, dont stand square on facing the bag as you will get bad habits
  
  Use your hips to get maximum force
  
  Move around, never stand in the same place for too long
  
  Change your head height, and when you throw a body shot 'go down' to the body, dont stand up straight.
  
  Keep your rear heal raised just as you would in any other drill, also keep a slight bend in your front knee
  
  Take your time when starting and slowly build up speed and power as you get into things, nothing worse than jumping onto the bag while your muscles are still cold and going wild.
  
  Treat your bag as an opponent, meaning no 50 hit combinations
  
  Bob and weave, slip and duck, which I think ive already mentioned

If you want to know anything else specific just let me know, also those points apply to shadowboxing and most drills as well, they are the main points that beginners often need to work on.

[Raftrider]

"And just for the count ive had 2 sparring sessions female training partners and I got my ass handed to me in both "

Hahahha.


Thanks for your help, Umy. I wasn't really expecting such a positive reply.

By the way, should I be corkscrewing my punches? I have a few friends in striking MAs, and they say that corkscrewing a punch could result in damage to the wrist and arm..

[Umy]

I wouldnt really recommend it too much if your just starting out, corckscrew hooks are about the only punch you would corckscrew your fist in, normal hooks are thrown with the arm locked, uppercuts and straight punches shouldnt be corckscrewed either.

[Umy]

Well once again, it has been a while since ive posted anything on this site that has been remotely helpful to anyone so here I am in an attempt to add something useful to this part of the forum, however as its a theory it probably wont help anyone

I was at college recently having a conversation with a friend of mine who is a brown belt in wado ryu (sp??) style of karate, he asked me probably the most intelligent question id heard for a month (the norms usually were, how dya get a solid punch mate? or have you ever broken anyones nose?), he said 'what is the process a boxer goes through in order to take a technique from his coach to and apply it to sparring?'

So here I am answering this 'worth 5 minutes' question and below you will see my crazy retarded theory of how it does work:

A boxer learns and practices technique through the 4 main drills used in boxing training (duh):

Shadowboxing = You are taught basic form, how the punch should feel, making sure you get all the basics right before moving on

Bagwork = You now apply this new movement on a non-moving target, again you focus on applying correct form and get used to hitting something solid with the new technique.

Padwork = You now apply your technique/s to a moving target, this time the target may fire back a few shots and give verbal feedback on your form.

Sparring = you now put together all the skills you learn from the above against a fully moving and resisting target. This teaches you to distinguish what works for you and what doesnt, and gives you the chance to test out the fresh techniques on a real opponent.

I believe that where many arts go wrong is that they miss steps out, so a student isnt confident of taking what they no straight from maybe, set forms, straight to sparring. (forgive me im fasting )

[The BadBoy]

Well put bro, four simple steps that when read out load seem so simple its stupid but how many times people don't understand what they're there for, I lost count. Knowing why these drills are there help you to structure your training around the goals you need to achieve the final atep of being able to make a technique yours.

Although to tell you the truth I was never strictly tought a technique in a boxing gym for shadowboxing. We just hit the pads and sparred. getting hit made you tighten up your defence and the coach gave you lil pointers thoughout to get your technique together.

I think that's the difference between instruction and coaching. In boxing you get coaches who let you make the mistakes and give you a lil pointer to help you solve th eproblems.

[Umy]

I also like the idea of coaching as very often an 'instructor' can let the title get to his head, whereas a coach is just there to give pointers and also take them.

[graham1]

Originally Posted by spired

I have a question... I have problems with throwing counter punches, because I'm affraid to get hit with left or right jab's....

There's an old saying here: 'If you can't fight, wear a big hat!'

[Umy]

[zefff]

Umy mate hows tricks! You still boxing?...you will get used to Graham1's sense of humour. It gets better

Can I ask a question? - Diet! Do you consider it? Is there anything specific or slightly of centre that you might take in?