Page 118 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve

must bob or rock from foot to foot in order to maintain a state of
readiness and not to become sitting ducks (it’s harder to hit a
moving target). Al says you simply can’t box well from a static posi-
tion.You must keep a rhythm going. And it’s exactly like learning a
dance step, especially when you try to move between bobs (you
stop bobbing when you step and immediately resume bobbing
when you stop stepping).

I do all right with this, although at times, I flounder and lead with
the wrong foot. For the first time I feel silly and a little clumsy. Of
course the mirror is right there broadcasting all my shuffling about
and I’m briefly reminded of my darkest hours at Arthur Murray’s
Dance Studio (I swear my wife made me go!). Al is very happy with
my stumbling efforts, however, and says it’s time for the gloves.

The Ritual
Up to this point I’ve been wearing only the wraps. Al goes over to
a box full of gloves,pulls out one,opens it up and says push straight
down and in.I poke my hand in and he secures the Velcro strap (I’m
thinking where are the laces? The last time I wore boxing gloves I
was 12 years old and I had to lace,not strap).He puts the other one
on me and I’m complete. I look in the mirror and (oh my!) I look
like a boxer. Putting on the gloves is a little thrilling. Like suiting up
for battle or something.

Each glove weighs 12 ounces and has an interesting thumb design
that pieces into the fat or hand part of the mitt. The top of the
gloved thumb is attached to the rest of the glove in order to prevent
the thumb from sticking out and getting broken or poking an oppo-
nent’s eye.

The Jab
After the strapping-in ritual, Al shows me how to jab. Jabbing is a
straight-from-the-shoulder, popping action into your opponent’s
face accomplished with your leading hand. Al says a good boxer
must develop a good jab for a number of reasons.It’s the punch you
will throw the most. It’s used to set up the big money punch with
your other (more powerful) hand.Jabbing is an offensive action that
doesn’t sacrifice the defensive position (it’s a punch you can throw
without breaking your boxer’s stance and recover from quickly).
The jab is this important: Al says that his first coach tied his right

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