| If you want to start boxing you will need to find a | | | | stable base. You should have one shoulder turned |
| club or gym that has the necessary equipment (in | | | | toward your opponent. You will learn to move your |
| addition to what you purchase on to help you with | | | | feet in small steps, sliding your feet close together |
| your conditioning and training. You will need a jump | | | | but never crossing one over the other. You will have |
| rope, medicine ball, punching bag, and exercise mats. | | | | your lead hand just to the side of your chin and your |
| Conditioning will also include learning breathing | | | | other hand near your shoulder. Your elbows should |
| techniques, abdominal, leg, and arm exercises, and | | | | be tucked in to help protect your ribs. |
| eventually working with a partner. | | | | The basic punches you will learn are the jab, the |
| Items you will need to purchase will include | | | | uppercut, the hook, and the straight right and left. |
| lightweight shoes, boxing trunks, a mouthpiece, and a | | | | Each punch has a specific purpose. The jab is used to |
| cup if you are male. Some clubs may have boxing | | | | help keep your opponent at a distance. This punch is |
| gloves available for you to use. Eventually you will | | | | done with your lead hand and is done at shoulder |
| want to purchase your own pair. It should be noted | | | | height. The uppercut is just what it says, a punch |
| that wrapping your hands before putting on boxing | | | | directed upward. It can be done with either hand. |
| gloves is a necessity. This will help to protect the | | | | The hook is delivered with the lead hand. This short |
| small bones in your hands from injury. There are | | | | punch uses the arm and fist with the elbow bent. |
| several methods of wrapping. It is important to not | | | | The wrist is twisted just before impact. The straight |
| twist the wrapping and to keep it loose enough to | | | | right or left is also delivered at shoulder height using |
| not cut off your circulation. The support given to the | | | | the back hand. It is usually part of a combination and |
| wrist is also important. When you are working with a | | | | is thrown after a punch from the lead hand. Your |
| partner some gyms may require you to wear leather | | | | strategy is to use these punches in combinations to |
| helmets to protect the sides of your head and your | | | | keep your opponent away from you and to score |
| ears. | | | | points. |
| An important element in boxing is footwork. It is | | | | Practicing both punches and your footwork in front |
| helpful for a boxer to be quick and agile so jumping | | | | of a mirror helps you to develop your own style. You |
| rope is essential. You will need to find the stance that | | | | will find that the combination of quickness, strength, |
| is comfortable for you. Standing with your feet | | | | and physical conditioning will enable you to develop |
| approximately a shoulder width apart will give you a | | | | the style that will work for you. |