Boxing Basics
Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the world and is one of the oldest organized competitions, dating back as early as the 18th century. Boxing has strict rules and is considered a noble sport because of its long and storied history. The fundamentals of boxing are relatively easy to learn and can often be acquired quickly with proper training and guidance.
The first step in learning the fundamentals of boxing is to understand the objectives of a boxing match. Each boxer is competing to be the last person standing through a combination of aggressiveness, agility, and skill. For example, one boxer might jab or “feint” quickly in order to set up for a bigger “power” punch. Both boxers score points when their punches land on the opponent’s body, the head, or the face. The boxer who scores the most points, or knocks out his opponent, is the winner.
The second phase of learning boxing basics is to master the craft of footwork. Footwork is the foundation of boxing and provides the boxer with the necessary balance to deliver effective punches. The three fundamentals of boxing footwork are pivot, move and slip. A pivot is when a boxer turns his hips and legs to the left or right with the back foot as the pivot point. Moving is the side-to-side or back-and-forth motion used to position a boxer to launch a punch or slip away from an adversary. And lastly, slipping or bobbing and weaving is when the boxer uses body movement to avoid the punches of his opponent.
The next fundamental of boxing is the hand position. This can make or break a fight as a proper hand position can prevent a boxer from taking a powerful punch and keeps the head shielded. The most common hand position is the guard, which is when both hands are held up near the face and temples, protecting the head. There are other hand positions such as the claw, when the boxer has both hands spread open defensively and the jab, when the boxer uses a quick left punch to catch the opponent off-guard.
The final component to learning the basics of boxing is to understand the punches. Punches have a designated purpose in boxing. The four types of punches used in most boxing matches are the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. The jab is usually the starting point for all combinations and is used to set up other punches. The cross is a powerful punch used to knock out an opponent and is often delivered after a jab. The hook is a curved punch used for angles and its primary purpose is to land a powerful punch to the body or head. The uppercut is an upward punch used to strike an opponent’s chin or ribs with power.
Boxing is a fun and exciting sport that requires physical and mental discipline. While mastering the basics of boxing can be daunting, with proper instruction, dedication, and practice; you’ll be able to enjoy the sweet science of throwing and defending punches.
