Mailbag 1-15-11

Today's mailbag covers power training tips, gaining weight, shadowboxing & hitting the double-end bag properly, and penetrating your opponent's defense.

First mailbag for the year 2011. Here goes:

What are the best combinations to open up your open's defense? – Jose

• 1, pause, 3-2. In the time that you pause, your opponent will try to jab back at you. 
• 1-2-3, then 1-2-5. The first time you throw it quickly, so the opponent only covers up. The next time you throw it, the opponent will expect a left hook and not a left uppercut.
• Jab, step in real deep. Throw 2 or 3 wide hooks to the body and head, and then be ready to step back and land a counter if he tries to counter you.

Do you have any power training tips for boxing? – Porter

• Yes, work the legs. Plyometric exercises!
• As for techniques that build power, learn to punch with your hips and not with your upper body. Feel the rotation in your hips when you punch. Also drop your hips when you punch.

What are plyometric and weight training exercises for boxing? – Darrell

• Get a medicine ball and put one hand on it as you get down into push-up position. Do a push-up but shift your weight to the side so that you land on your other hand. Quickly do push-ups back and forth switching hands. 2 sets of 20 push-ups would be good. Try to do it fast so that your hands spend the least amount of time touching the ball.
• Clapping push-ups are also very good. Again, you don't have to worry about perfect form and going all the way down. Just try to do 2 sets of 15 push-ups very quickly. You want your hands to spend as little time as possible touching the ground.
• Box jumps: start at the top, then jump down to the ground and quickly back up. When you're pausing in between jumps, make sure you're pausing on the box and not on the ground. Again, make sure your feet spend as little time touching the ground as possible.
• High-skipping: This is exactly what it is, you're skipping but try to skip really high. Up-up-up! Think vertical, not horizontal.

How do you gain weight? – Anthony

• It's funny that you asked. Most people start boxing to gain weight, not lose weight. I would suggest a 2:1 carb-protein diet ratio (your body may require more carbs or more protein). Do lots of squats and leg exercises. It's hard to gain weight boxing but it's possible.

How do you box a southpaw? – Jacob

• Work on your right hand. Learn to throw that right hand in every way possible–right cross, right uppercut, right hook, right jab (it's like a straight right but shorter and quicker), overhand right. Throw to both the head and body. Learn how to lead with it. Also learn how to throw double rights. Try to keep your front foot on the outside and make sure you watch out for the southpaw's dangerous left hand!
• Southpaws are a tricky bunch, everyone has trouble with them–including other southpaws!

How do I use the double-end bag properly? – Malik

• The double-end end bag is about timing first, and speed second. Don't try to hit it hard. Get a little closer to it and hit it with quick fast little tapping punches. Breathe sharp and punch sharp. Again, don't try to knockout the little bag.
• I'll write a guide on this later, I promise.

How do you shadowbox properly? – Daniel

• Punch fast and sharp with sharp breathing. Get use to throwing fast combinations at the air. Do it regularly. It's one of the most important aspects of boxing. It's great for warm-up and practicing your technique.

I am 66 years old. Is it too late to start boxing training? – Tony

• Is it too late to have fun, get in sharp, and keep your mind sharp? I would say no. Go out there, have fun, and make sure to keep the sparring LIGHT!