Oct 02 2007
Boxing Tips: Sparring Comfortably, Part II
This post is a continuation of Boxing Tips: Sparring Comfortably, Part II.
As I developed in the ring beyond basic defense, some endurance and jab, I recall encountering these stages:
Stage 4: Getting Distance Right
Really to develop a decent jab you’ll have already developed some sense of distance. But now, even though you can find your opponents head with the jab, you might find you fall into the trap of reaching. Reaching refers to starting to throw the punch little too soon during the step forward. If you have this bad habit you’re probably wondering why good boxers always seem to slip your jab.
But even when your jab develops there is still a lot to learn about distance. I found getting distance right has a lot to do with getting used to contact. When you get closer to your opponent things get dangerous. Yet you need to get into range and come forward to land.
Watching a new boxer’s cross is often amusing, it’s kind of a girly pawing punch. But most people go through this stage so don’t be embarrassed. Partly it’s because the boxer is simply afraid to come forward.
Stage 5: Seeing Punches Coming & Slipping
It’s the punch you don’t see that hurts you. If you saw it coming it probably didn’t land cleanly. You need to gain the guts to watch the punch as it flies into your mug. You especially want to watch the big punches. If you close your eyes or turn your head then you’ll have little chance of slipping or rolling.
A trainer once said to me, “If you’re going to get hit, you might as well see the punch coming.” Following this advice dramatically improved my defense.
Stage 6: Telegraphing
I found when I first started to develop my cross, hook and uppercuts, I’d telegraph them, (meaning signal that I was about to throw). I’d cock my right, or start the punch by raising my elbow. Before my hook I’d pause to shift my weight to the left.
Ask your sparring partners why they can always slip a particular punch, they might be able to help isolate the problem.
Stage 7: Building Your Arsenal
Learning to regularly and cleanly land more than a jab against a good boxer can take some time. But by this time I had developed some comfort and the fun really began.
