PULL not PUSH your punches

[God.in.my.corner]

I have spent alot of time on the internet and reading books about boxing skills/techniques. Since I am an older novice, I dont get the attention I would like from the coaches. They usually spend their time with the open fighters or the younger guys. So I try to learn as much as I can from other sources.

I can tell you the single greatest tip that I have learned came from this forum. It solved several of my problems. The tip was "pulling" your punches. With the lead jab, you pull the back shoulder back to facilitate the snap "push" of the punch. With the right(rear) hand, you pull the lead shoulder back.

This did the following:

1. added power by putting more bodyweight behind my shots (instead of arm punching)

2. Improved balance by keeping my weight on my back foot (which also improved footwork)

3. Kept me from reaching

I didnt know if this explanation was common knowledge, but everything just clicked when it was explained this way.

[Scrap]

Simple isnt it

[God.in.my.corner]

I always reached before. and when I reached, my head would go past my lead knee which would put my head closer to my opponent, which made it easy to get hit. Combos were difficult since I didnt have good balance. And with my right cross, my punch covers the same distance by pulling the left shoulder back, since the right shoulder fires forward more than it used to, but my head and balance remains under that back foot. So it covers the same distance with better posture, balance and defense without reaching or "falling in" with the right cross.

Scrap, what is the antagonist pulling motion on the uppercut Is it an upward pull of the opposite shoulder?

[Scrap]

Quads on the left leg, and tricep on the right arm, if orthadox.

[jameso'hara]

I must say a big thankyou for this tip God.in.my.corner. I too am an older novice and am fascinated with boxing technique and improving what little skill I have. Very interesting stuff.

[WayneFlint]

I have to agree 100% on that, i too read one of scraps posts talking about pulling back the shoulder about a year back and straight away it instantly made massive improvements, its probably the single most helpful thing ive read on these forums or online that helped me improv instantly without actually being shown anything in person..andit was so simple. such an improvement from just a few words of advice from scrap quickly made me realise to listen to what this man says, learn and ask questions now i travel 40+ mile every other week or a few times a week if possible to do so in person lol =D best education ive ever had, hats off to scrap, saddo's very own yoda of boxing lol