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The ULTIMATE GUIDE to boxing!<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you new to boxing and don’t know where to start? I made this complete basic boxing guide for all beginner boxers, filled with explanations, pictures, videos, and links to more detailed guides. Please share it with other aspiring boxers and fighters.<\/span><\/p>\n Let’s begin!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n First off, why boxing?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This question couldn’t have been any easier. Boxing is a great workout, perhaps the most challenging of all sports. Requires speed, agility, finesse, power, endurance, and ultimate mental toughness. Boxing pushes you like no other, pitting the finest and highest level athletes against each other. It’s a sweet science but at the same time also a raw and brutal sport.<\/p>\n More importantly boxing takes you further than you ever thought possible. Boxing makes you more alive than ever, more humble in defeat, and most glorious in victory. Boxing reveals the true fighter deep inside every single one of us.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The basic boxing stance is supposed to be easy for beginners to attack and defend easily. You’re well covered in this stance with both hands ready to attack easily. More advanced fighters will use different boxing stances for more advanced body movements and counter-punching opportunities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The proper boxing stance – ready to attack or defend <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n *** Get used to returning to this position after all boxing movements!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Read more guides on boxing stance:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Beginners absolutely need to master the step-drag and pivot maneuvers. This type of movement may seem difficult at first because many people have a habit of always jumping off the ground. In boxing, you want to keep your feet down on the ground so you’re always ready to attack, defend, or move away. Also, jumping around is a huge waste of energy. The flashy footwork will come naturally once you develop better conditioning and technique.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The basic STEP-DRAG <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n That right there is the basic boxing footwork. Step with the lead foot and drag the rear foot. This stepping and dragging boxing footwork technique ensures that your weight is grounded and always ready to attack or defend. It also prevents you from walking or crossing your feet which can make you fall off balance.<\/p>\n *** TIP: try to finish all steps with your feet at the same distance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The PIVOT <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n The next most important boxing footwork technique you’ll need is the pivot. It’s usually done by pivoting off your front foot. You can use it defensively to avoid attacks, or offensively to find new punching angles. A pivot can be useful for counter-punching by taking you out of harm’s way and still keep you in range to throw counter punches.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Read more guides on boxing footwork:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Punching Technique<\/strong><\/p>\n Throwing punches is simply the act of being relaxed, then quickly accelerating your hand towards the target as you exhale sharply. You tighten your fist at the moment of impact and then relax the hand to throw more punches. The trick is to utilize your entire body weight behind the punch without falling off balance. Skills and experience will teach you over time.<\/p>\n For a beginner, the most important thing is to learn the proper punching form. Later on, you will be able to throw many different variations of punches from different positions and develop your own punching technique to fit your style.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Punching Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n Left Straight (JAB) – the #1 most important weapon in boxing <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n *** Try throwing a jab with a forward step (aka “step jab”). Also try a jab to the body by bending your knees & waist slightly as you jab.<\/p>\n The jab is the most important punch in boxing. It can attack, defend, counter, score points, make space, and many other things. It’s your longest, fastest punch, uses the least energy, and leaves you the least vulnerable. A boxing trainer will usually tell you that every combo must start with the jab. It’s a fast punch that stuns your opponent just long enough for the big punches to land.<\/p>\n Great fighters have great jabs.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Read more boxing guides on the jab:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Right Straight (RIGHT CROSS) – your strongest punch <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n *** When necessary, the right elbow can bend to create a slight looping angle (overhand right) or even a wide looping angle (hayemaker) to come around your opponent’s guard. Many boxing trainers stress the importance of a straight right for beginners because it telegraphs less and doesn’t leave the fighter as open. It’s uncommon to see a “right hook” because it would likely be blocked by their opponent’s left shoulder. Bend your knees and waist if you want to throw a cross to the body.<\/p>\n The right cross will naturally be your strongest punch because it comes from your dominant hand and gets leverage easily from the back. When combined, the jab and right cross become known as the basic but incredibly useful 1-2 combination.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n LEFT HOOK – a dangerous power punch <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n *** For a left hook to the body, leave your left hand down and throw with a vertical fist.<\/p>\n The left hook is easily one of the deadliest punches in boxing. It comes from a side angle making it tricky to defend when an opponent is expecting straight punches. It’s also common for knockouts because the punch turns the head and easily makes opponents dizzy. You can throw left hooks to the head with your fist horizontal or vertical; for a beginner, I recommend you to use the ones that feels most natural.<\/p>\n Left hooks to the body are the most common way to attack the body. The “liver shot” (located under your right ribs) is known to be incredibly painful and has led to many body shot knockouts. Body shots typically take the wind out of you and kill your legs, hampering your ability to move. A well-placed body shot can momentarily paralyze your legs and keep you from standing even if you’re conscious and still willing to fight.<\/p>\n Read more boxing guides on the left hook:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n LEFT UPPERCUT – dangerous short to long-range punch <\/strong>(see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n *** You can throw this punch more straight or more curved, and to the head or body.<\/p>\n The left uppercut is a great punch to use on the inside or even mid-range. It’s more powerful than the jab, comes fast, and can be quite unexpected. The only risk is that you have to be closer to your opponent and your left shoulder is not up to defend against your opponent’s rights.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n RIGHT UPPERCUT – dangerous short to long-range punch<\/strong> (see video<\/a>)<\/p>\n The right uppercut is a devastating punch to use at close range or mid-range. It’s very powerful to throw at the head or body. The greatest risk is that you’re dropping your right hand and exposing yourself to a counter left hook.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Punch Combinations<\/strong><\/p>\n Basic punch combinations for beginners! Learn the punch numbering system below and then try out all the basic combinations. You can throw these combinations in shadowboxing, on the bags, the mitts, or even in sparring. Every seasoned boxer will have mastered these combinations as second nature.<\/p>\n 1 = jab<\/p>\n 2 = right cross<\/p>\n 3 = left hook<\/p>\n 4 = overhand right<\/p>\n 5 = left uppercut<\/p>\n 6 = right uppercut<\/p>\n b = body<\/p>\n *** Example: 1-2-3b combo would mean a jab to the head, then right cross to the head, then left hook to the body.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Common Boxing Combinations<\/strong><\/p>\n There’s no rule to boxing combinations. You can throw whatever punches you want in whatever order you want. There are definitely SOME guidelines, such as throwing fast feeler punches (like the jab) before you commit to the hard shots that leave you open longer. It’s also more natural to alternate punches between your right and left hand but also a good idea to throw double lefts and double rights to confuse your opponent.<\/p>\n You’ll eventually learn other combinations later (some with fancy defensive moves embedded) and ultimately make up your own to fit the situation.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There many kinds of defensive techniques you may have heard of out there, some fancier than others. The first thing a beginner boxer needs to learn is how to block. Blocking is the easiest way to stay in punching range without getting hurt. And for beginners, blocking is the safest way because it closes off the punching angles. Once you’ve mastered blocking, then you can move on to the more advanced stuff like parrying, rolling, and slipping. The main benefits of more advanced defense techniques is that they allow you to defend yourself without using your hands, this way your hands are free to punch back!<\/p>\n Blocking is the easiest way \u00a0<\/p>\n Blocking head punches<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Blocking body punches<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Boxing Defense Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, there is more to blocking than simply bringing your gloves to you but this is a good start for beginners. No need to do anything fancy, or get confused about where to place your hand. Pull your hands to your face, or pull your elbows to your body.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Read more guides on boxing defense:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n You’ll eventually realize that boxing is almost always non-stop counter-punching. You will always be attacking and defending simultaneously so you will need to combine your offensive and defensive boxing skills. For a beginner, this easiest way to counter is to block first and then counter immediately after. Jabs can be countered by simultaneously throwing another punch, or blocking first and then countering.<\/p>\n As your skills improve, you’ll eventually learn that any punch can be countered with any punch. The tricky part is figuring out how. For now, you should focus on the easier counters for beginners that don’t require high-level defensive movements.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Counters to the Jab<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Counters to a Right Cross\/Overhand\/Uppercut<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Basic Counters to a Left Hook\/Uppercut<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Read more boxing guides on counter-punching:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The best way to get trained for boxing is to enter a real boxing gym full of licensed boxing trainers and competing amateur and professional boxers. There you would only have to follow instructions from the more experienced guys and eventually customize routines to fit your needs. Now if these options aren’t available to you, here’s what I would recommend.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n These are the absolute essentials EVERY BOXER needs to have. Sure you can borrow, but it’s gross\/un-hygienic and not as safe as having your own.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Handwraps<\/strong><\/p>\n A crucial tool for protecting your hands. Do not go around punching a heavy bag without hand protection, as this will likely screw up your wrist and injure you quickly. You should be wearing handwraps everytime that you plan to put on boxing gloves.<\/p>\n Having your own handwraps is like having your own socks. It will be filled with your sweat and your nasty odor. You can get away with one pair but it’s probably better to cycle between 2 or 3 pairs depending on how often you train.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Gloves<\/strong><\/p>\n Using the community gym gloves might be ok for a while but you’ll eventually fall in love with your favorite pair. And then it gets annoying when you want to train but somebody else is using “your” gloves. Or you arrive at the gym heartbroken one day to find “your” gloves ripped open with the wrist strap torn off. At which point, you’ll realize it’s best to have your own training gloves, because it smells better, has newer padding, and always available when you need it.<\/p>\n If you could only have one pair, get 16oz training gloves. If you can afford to have a second pair, get 12oz or 14oz for when you want to do some speed work on the heavy bag or double-end bag. (For sparring, always use 16oz.) Smaller guys, women, or kids (below 120lbs) can train with 14oz gloves or less but otherwise I highly recommend the 16oz standard.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Mouthguard<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a must if you’re going to do any sparring. I don’t know why there are still people out there who think it’s ok to spar without a mouthguard. Possible consequences: A) you lose or break a tooth because the impact lands perfectly on one tooth instead of dispersing itself over your jaw, which may require you to look at options such as dental veneers (see the cost of dental veneers<\/a> here) or similar procedures. B) You injure your jaw (making you weak-chinned for a long time) because the lower jaw swings freely and isn’t secured against the upper jaw. Higher likelihood of concussion for you. C) You bite your tongue. I’ve actually bitten STRAIGHT THROUGH my tongue once. Imagine how painful it is to give yourself a tongue piercing with your own teeth.<\/p>\n Don’t share a mouthpiece either. Unless it’s molded to your teeth, it won’t give you the maximum amount of protection. Also, people bleed on their mouthpieces all the time and you might get someone else’s disease (i.e. hepatitis, aids, herpes, etc). The best mouthguards cost at least $20 but anything is better than nothing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ultimately, all boxing equipment is “essential” if you plan to box seriously and even compete. However for a beginner just learning how to box and testing the waters, the following equipment may or may not be required. Do what you can with what you have.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Headgear<\/strong><\/p>\n You’ll eventually want your own headgear if you’re going to do regular sparring. It’ll fit you better and always be available instead of always being used or draped with somebody else’s sweat. The padding will be a lot better since it’s not being used by 30 other people. Headgear is ALWAYS a must when you’re sparring; don’t go without it.<\/p>\nThe Greatest Benefits About Boxing<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nBasic Boxing Technique<\/h2>\n
Basic Boxing Stance<\/h3>\n
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Basic Boxing Footwork<\/h3>\n
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Basic Boxing Punches<\/h3>\n
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Read more boxing guides on punch technique:<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n
Basic Boxing Defense<\/h3>\n
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Basic Boxing Counter-Punching<\/h3>\n
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Basic Boxing Training<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nEssential Boxing Equipment<\/h3>\n
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Non-Essential Boxing Equipment<\/h3>\n