The Beginners Guide to Boxing

Boom30: GWX101 LINK HERE

What is your WHY?

The amazing thing about boxing is that it can be practiced nearly anywhere as long as you have enough space. In addition, it can be done with very basic equipment such as boxing gloves, small weights and a heavy bag. Boxing can be challenging to master but it will also make you UNSTOPPABLE.

Basic Boxing Stance

Are you right-handed or left-handed? 

For your hand placement – your dominant hand on the cellphone and your other hand on the microphone. Elbows down and hand up. Your head is behind your gloves so that you can see over your gloves. Take your dominant foot and take a step back. Your weight should be evenly distributed between both legs, knees slightly bent and light on your feet. Your feet should be diagonal and a little wider than shoulder width apart with your back heel raised. Don’t forget to relax and breathe! You should always get used to returning to this initial position after all boxing movements.

The basic boxing stance is supposed to easy so that beginners can attack and defend easily. More advanced fighters will use different boxing stances for more advanced body movements and counter-punching opportunities. More about this as we progress. 

Basic Boxing Techniques and Punches

To properly throw a punch you want to start by being relaxed, then quickly accelerating your hand towards your target (mitts or heavy bag or direction if shadowboxing) as you exhale sharply. The main trick is to utilize your entire body weight behind the punch without falling off balance. This is a skill you will perfect over time. 

As a beginner, it is important to learn proper punching form. As your technique improves you will be able to throw many different variations of punches from different positions. You will also develop your own punching technique that best fits your style. 

Basic Punching Tips

· Turn your whole body and pivot your feet on ALL PUNCHES EXCEPT THE JAB.

· Maintain your stance and balance for better power and mobility.

· Make sure the non-punching hand is defending the other side of your body.

· Exhale sharply on every shot.

· All boxing punches are basically a variation of straight punches (elbow straight), hook punches (elbow sideways), or uppercut punches (elbow down).

The Jab (1) A quick punch that is used by the forward moving arm. Right handed boxers use the left arm to jab and vice versa.

The Cross (2) A straight punch thrown by the rear arm. Right handed boxers use their right arm and vice versa.

The Hook (3) A short side punch thrown at a 90 degree angle. These types of punches can be thrown with either arm

The Uppercut A short upward punch thrown to the body with either arm. 

Combinations

When it comes to combinations there are no rules, you can throw whatever punches you desire in whatever order. It is also more natural to alternate between different punches from your right and left hand side but don’t forget you can throw double punches to confuse your opponent. 

You will learn fancy combinations that include defensive moves as you work on your boxing techniques. 

Try out a GWX On Demand Mitt Challenge video. Work along side the coaches as you punch your way through the round!

Mitt Challenge Video Link (Mitt Challenge: Jab)

 GWX On Demand has a library full of at-home interactive boxing videos that will help hone in on your skills. Don’t forget you can also access Live Virtual Training Sessions with our coaches to get additional instruction to help develop your skills in the privacy of your home – ANYWHERE!