Herb and Co

Please accept my apologies for not taking the time to read the posts from you guys. If I've broken forum etiquette then I'm genuinely sorry and will not do it again! OK, apologies over (this doesn't count for Scrap by the way ), I've now taken the time to go through the thread and may have some additional simple points to contribute, I hope they make sense and are of use.

When considering movement, especially how far we should move, we need to really consider the implications of being in-range or out of range (at it's most simple). I like to think about boxers as operating 'on the edge of range'. It strikes me that all of the top guys hold an inate understanding of where they are in relation to their opponent....to the millimetre! Herb is exactly right to establish the understanding of not moving too far. The reason that I say this is that the difference of being in range and being out of range is inches, maybe the width of a fist is a useful gauge.

Let's take for example throwing a common three punch combination; the left (jab), right (cross) and left hook (mid range). This combination consists of 3 shots, 2 long-range and one mid-range. The starting point is that as a boxer you are 'on the edge of range'. The mechanics of the combination are (assuming that the opponent remains static):

  1. Combine a push forward (only a very short distance, width of a fist) with the jab. Both skills performed at the same time, moves the boxer very quickly into range and improves the 'sting' of the jab.
  2. Throw a right cross (as we are still at long range)
  3. Combine a push forward with a mid-range left hook.
At the end of the combination (which at competition speed should have taken maybe half a second), you find yourself at mid-range and in a position to deliver further shots or expedite a quick escape back to 'the edge of range' with a push from the front leg. Within the combination, you have made 2 movements forward, taking you from the edge of range to mid-range, albeit that these movements combine to form a distance of only 6 to 7 inches.

A point that our friend ThaiBoxer states is that he (or she) has to transfer their weight to the leg that does the pushing (in the example the rear leg). I tend to be of the opinion that your body weight should always be central or on the back leg. Weight (or more accurately the body) should not be 'over' the front leg as this messes with balance and may make those shots that we occasionally get hit with hurt a lot more! Keep that weight central or on the back leg Thai, get use to the feeling, build those neural pathways mate!

On a final point, and relating to Herb's post, don't restrict yourself to four ways of movement. Think of a compass on the ground, and you can move in any direction on that compass, building around the 8 main points. As an orthodox boxer, it's is very difficult to move diagonally right and forward (north east). It feels very unnatural and awkward. The way to get around this awkwardness is to be pragmatic. Seek to move just ahead of east. You are still moving diagonally forward and to the right, but a little more subtle. Mastering sidesteps is very important. Combining sidesteps with slips and rolls successfully is pure gold!!!!

I hope this is of use, and again my apologies for not reading the efforts of other members...it's not like me as I am usually quite thorough about this.

Catch you soon, from this old over-the-hill palooka (for your benefit Scrap)!

Fran