I’m amazed that everybody doesn’t use this around their eyes and on their nose before sparring. My gym is big on vaseline. Hell, we even put it on our opponent’s gloves. Why? Yeah it could prevent cuts, but headgear already does that well. The real benefit is preventing abrasions, which really mark up your face.

A guy from my gym forgot the vaseline the other night and he’s got this massive abrasion under his eye. I too forgot the vaseline last time I sparred. Looking at him is a good reminder to use vaseline next time.

I hate buying boxing shoes! In 8 years of boxing training I’ve only had one good pair of boxing shoes (a particular model of Asics). Those Asics were my last pair, and I was so happy to have them I wore them into the ground. I literally had toes sticking out! But I continued to wear them until I was afraid I’d twist an ankle because the treads were so worn.

Most boxing shoes have flimsy ankle support, or are too wide or narrow. The new pair purchased 2 weeks ago have soles which are too narrow, so my foot causes the side of the shoe to spill out over the sole onto the ground. I wonder how long until I wear a hole into the side?

This new pair pissed me off because I visited two stores and spent $70. After rejecting the one pair in stock at the local Big 5 Sporting goods store, I tried this pair at a local boxing specialty store. These Everlast brand shoes were the only pair they carried and they seemed ok when I tried them on. In retrospect I should have moved around a bit to better evaluate them… If/when I ever get a good pair I’ll let you guys know the make and model.

This is one of the more important boxing tips regarding the heavy bag. Beginners almost always do this incorrectly.

First, 3 practical points on punching and getting punched:

1. In a good round of boxing you’ll probably only land 30% of your punches. So get used to missing.
2. Even if you land, “answering back” or hitting back, is so ingrained in boxers that you should always expect a punch to come right after yours.
3. Your defenses are strongest when your arms are retracted, your hands up and elbows in, i.e. when you are in your boxing stance.

What does this all mean? It means that after extending a punch you need to retract it as fast as you threw it. When it’s extended, you’re open. Rapidly returning to your stance between each punch is important.

Now when you hit the heavy bag, the punch has landed on initial impact. The initial impact causes the bag to rapidly sink inward and go “whap!” This generally does not cause the bag to swing. What most often causes it to swing is continuing to carry your fist and weight forward, or “pushing the bag” after the impact. This is wrong.

I’m not saying the bag should never ever swing, but if it swings a lot, then you’re pushing it.

While you’re busy “pushing the bag” you should have been rapidly retracting your punch. Getting into this habit makes you slow, leaves you open and teaches you to excessively extend your balance. Keep your punches crisp.

Stay tuned for more boxing tips!

Don’t buy boxing gear from a sporting goods store, ever. Never ever. Where do they get the crap they stock on their shelves? Why does it cost almost the same as the quality stuff you order from Ringside or Title?

The wraps are too short to properly wrap your hands. The mouthpieces don’t have large enough airways to breath and crowd your tongue. The jump ropes are stiff and awkward.