Coxxyx

[Sharla]

Hi Sharla,

There are a lot of different types of signals to look for. These are the ones most relevant to boxing (the ones you can look for before you close with your opponent)

If your opponent shuffles in or out (or any time they step) watch how they land. If they land "solid" that means their ankle/knee/hip are all open correctly. If you see a very slight rock or wobble onto either the heel or the toe that means they're correcting for a problem (usually the coccyx).

It can be very slight.

Look at their neck for signs of muscular tension (this should be easier with boxers than with overweight martial artists ). If their stance is correct, the chin should be slightly tucked to extend/stretch the spine. This should relax the muscles around the neck. If you see little ropy muscles (like what you'd see if you were clenching your teeth or tugging your head to one side or the other) they're compensating.

Lastly, look to see if they are hunching. If someone hunches they tend to overtuck the coccyx. Not always, especially if you look at sambo and greco roman guys, but otherwise it's you can usuall count on some overtucking.

These are the easiest signs to explain on a messageboard. Most of the training we do to feel the structure is after contact has been made. If the ideas I wrote about up there don't make sense, I can try to explain the heart of the idea from our perspective. I tried finding a good example on youtube to show you, but it's hard to explain without being able to demonstrate...

-Ben

Awesome Benfish - i've got a lot to think about there and i'll try to keep it in mind and see what i can spot just with the people around me i guess! f you ever do find a vid I'd be really interested in watching it!

Heres a little thing you can try Youngblood it will make your ability improve, Boxing stance moving forward throwing a double jab and moving the feet twice as you should. With your 2nd jab left in front of you, from that stance. Now try walking forward moving the front foot first if you cant your Coxxyx head and feet are not where thjey should be, try it

Scrap i was in a gym for a while which taught a sort of skip for footwork with the double jab rather than 2 steps. Is this wrong - an adaption just to make up for the fact that many of us have our coccyx out or jsut a different technique?