New Guy

**gmt** · 07-17-2012 02:13 PM

new guy here, currently on a deployment. i've been trying to really get into boxing (more in-depth, with techniques and whatnot).. my ship's in port right now, about to go back out to sea for who knows how long.. but i figured i'd post this video up while i can, and get feedback while i'm out to sea. i've been reading articles and picking up pointers here and there since march, been on the heavy bag since then.
i'm just trying to get better at boxing, maybe go to a boxing gym and start sparring when i can get the time.
anyway, here are the videos, any helpful tips or pointers are greatly appreciated. (i know the video is very close up and dark, so you can't really see any footwork.. i'll try to post a better video next time i'm in port) i already know i need to work on keeping my hands up when i'm not throwing punches, it's very hot (100+ degrees, no ventilation) where i hang my bag, so i get REAL sloppy near the end of my workouts.

(can't post links until i reach 5 posts, just plug these urls into youtube)

**Youngblood** · 07-17-2012 06:59 PM

fixed it for you.

**greynotsoold** · 07-18-2012 07:48 PM

You lift your elbows when you punch...When you jab, that punch come straight out from your shoulder, don't lift the elbow. Put yourself standing along a wall, real close, and jab over and over again. Your elbow will hit the wall if you lift it, and you'll break that habit. With your left hand, just shoot it from the shoulder. When you raise that elbow, you telegraph it, and a smart guy will see it coming.
Also, when you raise that elbow, you whip that arm, it sounds good so you think you are punching good. But you aren't turning your hips or shoulders into that left hand. The hips have to turn first, then the shoulders, that drives the arm and that propels the fist. Right now your are just swinging it.

**gmt** · 07-20-2012 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by greynotsoold

You lift your elbows when you punch...When you jab, that punch come straight out from your shoulder, don't lift the elbow. Put yourself standing along a wall, real close, and jab over and over again. Your elbow will hit the wall if you lift it, and you'll break that habit. With your left hand, just shoot it from the shoulder. When you raise that elbow, you telegraph it, and a smart guy will see it coming.
Also, when you raise that elbow, you whip that arm, it sounds good so you think you are punching good. But you aren't turning your hips or shoulders into that left hand. The hips have to turn first, then the shoulders, that drives the arm and that propels the fist. Right now your are just swinging it.

thanks for the advice! i'll try to employ your technique in my workouts; hopefully at my next port visit,
i'll be able to post a video where my technique has improved from the advice i get here!

**Andre** · 07-22-2012 01:12 AM

What are you on, a commercial trader or fishing vessel if so which seas you fish?

**gmt** · 07-22-2012 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Andre

What are you on, a commercial trader or fishing vessel if so which seas you fish?

neither, i'm in the US Navy

**Peter Som** · 07-22-2012 11:04 PM

What are you training for? For fitness or do you want to actually compete on a competitive level?

I'm by no means a professional, but I've been doing this a little over a month and have been taking it very seriously. If anyone finds fault in my logic and reasoning please let me know!

I can't tell what kind of boxer your are because you square yourself up a lot, that is to say, you stand in front of your target with the entire width of your torso in front of them. Squaring yourself up happens naturally during an execution of combinations or just normal power punching, but you stay squared even when NOT punching. It's bad form to be squared so much because that gives your opponent more target areas and makes it extremely difficult for you to defend as a result.

I can't tell if your hands are wrapped properly, are they? Improper hand wrapping can result in injury ranging from minor to severe, so if you haven't learned how to properly wrap your hands, please do so!

You keep your chin out as long as a crane! That's going to get you hurt 100% of the time in a fight or (goodness forbid) a real confrontation. Try to tuck your chin in a little more so that you're looking at your opponent through your eyebrows.

I also notice in your first and second video that you dipped...really abruptly and low, perhaps this is just something I haven't learned but I don't see how that works into a heavy bag workout. And if I recall correctly, dipping below the belt is illegal.

If you'd like to pursue this as a serious hobby or even compete, I suggest you learn the fundamentals 1 at a time. It's critical that you put focus into one thing at a time because it helps you tie every other technique you learn thereafter. It's like math and science!

So start with learning a proper stance/balance, then get into the basic punches and combinations. Start literally from the ground up!