Page 78 - Fighting Fit: Boxing, Workouts, Techniques, and Sparring

5 Mirror training

Look at yourself
It’s very important to work punches, footwork and
defense in front of a full-length reflective surface.This
is the time to monitor your technique. If it is not cor-
rect here, it will not be correct in the ring.

Compare
Check your movements with those illustrated in

Part one. Basic movements first. No punches yet.Work
on footwork: front to back, side to side and pivoting.
Then practice long and short rhythms.Add defensive
moves: blocks, parries, slips and ducks.

Now it’s time to start throwing punches.Again, your
emphasis should be on technique. Get the mechanics
down to the finest detail. Start with a basic jab and
work up to combinations you want to improve.Work
on a select few and perfect them. Remember to mix

in footwork and defense. Establish a mental picture
of your opponent — it makes your actions more pur-
poseful.

Shadowboxing and mirror training are basically the
same. Shadowboxing can also be performed in the ring
or gym without the aid of a mirror.

Start slow and end fast.

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