Hey Herb

Apologies for the delay in responding. I very much appreciate the time you've spent analysing what I posted. Anyway, I'll try to respond in some kind of coherent manner.

  1. In terms of the rotation. I find it helps to imagine a perpendicular axis going down through the top of the head, through the centre of the body and fixed into the ground. This axis is fixed, like a steel bar, meaning that the body can only rotate around it and cannot bend (even slightly) one way or another. The push from the front foot rotates the body clockwise around this axis. This rotation is slight. If you imagine the left shoulder being at a starting point of 11 o'clock, it lands at 12 o'clock (the assumption being that we are in an orthodox stance).
  2. In response to the issue of the arm being thrust out and the elbow following the same line (or better described the same vertical plane). I tend not to think of the shoulder adding force per se, although in terms of the bio-mechanics I'll defer to your greater understanding of muscle groups etc. My sense is that the rotation aligns your shoulders to the opponent in the split second before impact and therefore accommodates the elbow not leaving the vertical plane.
  3. The fist returning along the same line. Following the boxer landing a jab, I tend to focus instantly on defence. A very common response to a jab is a long range right hook to the head or body, so I encourage the boxer to get the elbow straight back to the ribs for the purposes of protection (based upon the logic that the quickest route between 2 points is a straight line). If you feel that allowing the elbow to come out a little aids you getting the arm back to the starting point more quickly and efficiently, then go with it. You're correct to notice the elbow issue in terms of double and triple jabs. A very common problem in boxers when throwing a double jab is that the upper arm/elbow remains extended and the forearm pops out and back to make up the double. This leads to a fairly useless jab (in terms of power) but also leaves the boxer very vulnerable to the long range right hook to the body...not a pleasant shot to be hit with!
  4. The 'Front foot drop' sounds to me like an exaggeration of moving forward (back foot pushes and the front foot lifts slightly). As long as the lift doesn't become too noticable or common, thus giving away the shot, then I wouldn't find real fault with it as an option. Whether it adds any significant power, I don't know, I'll have to think a bit more on that one. I am a big fan of Jack Dempsey, a tremendously tough and big hitting man. Were you aware that his method of improving his punch resistance (or chin) as a kid was to have his older brother punch him square on the jaw every day, and every day he was knocked clean on his arse. Then one day he didn't go down...it has to be said this kamikaze approach seemed to work, because when he did get knocked down during his career (Luis Firpo fight for instance), he always got back up!!! The phrase teak tough was invented for Dempsey!
  5. In relation to the telegraphing issue. I understand what you're saying in that the body acts as diversion, taking the opponent's attention away from the fist. If it lands, then it's a good shot. My logic in terms of the elbow not raising as the shot goes is twofold really i) the human eye is much better at spotting side to side movement rather than movement to or from it, this is why we need to look twice when crossing the road, and ii) the strength of the shot is improved as the snap and 'locking' of the arm if timed well maximises impact.
  6. The final point, your point is very well described and I think I am in broad agreement. I would watch for the right shoulder retracting too far and allowing the upper body to become 'square on' to the opponent, thus leaving a big target to be aimed at.
Thanks for your post Herb. My reply has felt more like a rite of passage ! I'm now going to sit on my haunches in the corner of a darkened room, rocking back and forth and babbling incoherently!!!!

Take care mate.

Fran