Boxing Tips And Techniques

Stance
To have a fully upright stance, the boxer stands with the legs shoulder-width apart. The rear foot is half-step behind the lead foot. Right-handed or orthodox boxers have the left foot and fist ahead. Both the feet are pointed just inward. The right heel is lifted from the ground. The lead fist is placed vertically nearly six inches in front of the face at eye level. The rear fist is placed beside the chin. The elbow must be held against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin must be tucked in the chest to avoid punches to the jaw that cause knock-outs. Left-handed or southpaw fighters adopt a mirror image of the orthodox stance. Sometimes the cheeks or foreheads are tapped with the fists to remember to keep the hands upwards.

Punches
There are four types called as the jab, cross, hook and uppercut. If the boxer is right-handed, the left hand is the lead hand and the right hand is the rear hand. The positions are reversed for a left-handed boxer.

Jab is a quick, straight punch done with the lead hand from the guard position. There is a small, clockwise rotation of the torso and hips. The fist rotates 90 degrees and becomes horizontal after impact. When the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder is brought upwards to guard the chin. The rear hand is placed nearby the face to protect the jaw. This is the most vital punch for a boxer as it has a good amount of cover and leaves minimum space for a counterpunch from the opponent.

Cross is a powerful, straight punch done with the rear hand. Starting from the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin. It crosses the body and travels towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is moved forward. It's finishing position is just outside the chin. Simultaneously, the lead hand is retracted and placed across the face to protect the inside of the chin. The torso and hips are rotated counter-clockwise as the cross is executed.

Hook is a semi-circular punch done with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. Starting from the guard's position, the torso and hips and rotated clockwise. The fist is propelled through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connects with the target. Simultaneously, the lead foot pivots clockwise and the left heel turns outwards.

Uppercut is a vertical, rising punch done with the rear hand. Starting from the guard's position, the torso shifts slightly to the right and the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest. There must be a slight bend in the knees. Further, the rear hand is thrust upwards in a rising arc towards the opponent's chin or torso. Simultaneously, the knees push upwards fast and the torso and hips rotate anti-clockwise. The rear heel turns outward and imitates the body movement of the cross.

Defense boxing techniques
Straight left jab to the head is the most frequently used boxing technique. The chin and partially the mouth has to be covered with the left fist. The left hand is straightened and the left elbow rises according to the onward movement of the left fist. The chin must never be uncovered by the left fist.

Straight jab to a stomach involves keeping the body bent in a waist and knees, take a step with the front foot and when the target is contacted, the extended arm has to be parallel to the floor. This jab can coerce the opponent to lower the hands and open the head for further attack.

Right uppercut is done by standing in a classic boxing stance by holding the back knee bent. The right shoulder is lowered to turn the right side of the trunk to a semi-crouch position. The body weight is thus transferred to the left leg. The fist must be held sufficiently upwards near the chin to cover the head. The hips have to be turned forward, pushing the ball of the back foot and punching the right fist upwards towards the target. The right arm stays close to the body and turns up in a semicircle.