| If you want to start boxing, you may be wondering | | | | Fifth Round Shadow boxing. Catching the wind and |
| where to start your training. Following are some tips | | | | getting the heart back to normal rhythm and beat. |
| to help you get started. | | | | Figuring out which punches worked best, which ones |
| Proper equipment is a "must" in any boxing program. | | | | did not work and the reasons for their failure. |
| A capable, qualified coach would not send a boy on | | | | Sixth Round Punching the light punching bag. Excellent |
| the football field without proper shoulder pads or | | | | for sharpening the eyes, learning to keep the hands |
| headgear. Yet, I have seen high school boxers use | | | | high and becoming adept at punching fast. |
| worn out gloves and a makeshift mat with no canvas | | | | Seventh Round More punching on the light punching |
| cover and I have known of boys who have not | | | | bag or on the heavy sand bag. |
| been provided with aluminum cups. This should not be | | | | Finish up with light body exercise and dash right into |
| tolerated under any circumstances. | | | | the showers. |
| Proper mouthpieces, well padded headgear and hand | | | | It may be seen from the preceding that I am an |
| wraps should be available for all contestants in a | | | | advocate of a short, fast workout instead of a long, |
| boxing program. It is advisable to have high topped | | | | dragged out one. I have always believed that a boy |
| boxing shoes, but where money is a factor, light | | | | gets into better condition for a short three round |
| weight basketball shoes will suffice. | | | | bout by short, snappy workouts of six to seven |
| All equipment should be properly maintained, both for | | | | rounds. The boys, furthermore, enjoy the shorter |
| the safety of the boxer and it will save money in the | | | | workouts and will work harder than if the workouts |
| long run as well. | | | | are prolonged and become monotonous. There must |
| In regards to the ring itself, make shift facilities are | | | | be no loafing from bell to bell. Maintain top speed all |
| to be carefully avoided. A well padded ring enclosed | | | | the way. |
| properly by ropes is an absolute essential. Never | | | | The proper On guard position is fundamental. I wish |
| permit the athletes to box where there is a chance | | | | to stress in detail the all important stance or what |
| of falling to a hard floor or against objects that might | | | | we will call the "on guard" position. |
| injure them. | | | | All punches are thrown from the on guard position. |
| Of course, good training starts with a proper | | | | The boxer must assume the on guard position again |
| workout. While what constitutes a proper workout | | | | at the finish of each punch with all possible rapidity. |
| has been widely contested, there are some basics | | | | This procedure is necessary for proper deception. |
| that almost everybody can agree on. | | | | Thus the stance must be mastered at the beginning. |
| A typical workout, once the boy is in good physical | | | | With all punches starting from the same stance, |
| condition and his legs are in shape, would be the | | | | naturally, an opponent has difficulty guessing whether |
| following: | | | | the punch will be a left jab to the head or body, a |
| First Round Shadow boxing. Loosening up. Warming | | | | left hook to the head or body, a double left hook to |
| the muscles. Trying all the punches. | | | | the body and head or a jab followed by a hook. If |
| Second, Third and Fourth Rounds Boxing, working | | | | the boxer changes his stance or arm positions each |
| hard and fast during the rounds. Complete relaxation | | | | time he throws a different punch, his opponent will |
| between rounds. | | | | soon catch on and meet him with a counter. |