Page 87 - Fighting Fit: Boxing, Workouts, Techniques, and Sparring
P. 87

Bag drills



           If the bag spins, you’re off target. If it’s really swinging
           you’re pushing your punches. Remember, your jab
           should SNAP --- accelerate,WHAP and recover.You
           almost pull the punch.There is no follow-through (as in
           a golf swing).The sound and feel of the punch on the
           bag will tell you if you’re hitting properly. It’s a sweet
           feeling --- like a ball on a bat.WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!


           At first, practice your jabs from a solid stance to groove
           your form.Throughout the punch you should be bal-
           anced and in control.

           Try double and triple jabs, bringing your glove all the
           way back to guard after each punch. Feel that deltoid
           burn.Work on quickness and accuracy with and
           without power. Keep your right arm in tight and twist
           your hips a bit with the punching action to deliver
           stiffer jabs.


           Jabbing with footwork and rhythm
           After you’ve jabbed from a static position for a while,
           try incorporating movement. Step into your jab going
           forward and side-to-side. Shoot the jab as the left foot
           lands. In between punches and steps, try your boogie-
           woogie rhythm. Get into it.Try to blend the punches
           with the steps with the rhythm with the action of the
           bag. Find the beat in the drill.


           Straight right
           Strike the bag head high using the technique described
           previously. Punch straight from the chin off a pivoting
           right foot — swinging hips and back into the effort.
           Like all punches, think: accelerate,WHOMP! and
           recover.The WHOMP! indicates the deep sound of the


           86
   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92