Essential Practice Routines For Boxing Training

There are several essential practice routines which the young boxer must carry out to improve his ability.

Practicing 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 punch­ing 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

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 prac­ticed 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 procedure should be practiced many times, with the boys taking turns as puncher and counter-puncher.



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