Page 124 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve

which I’m convinced is closer to four (Al is a tough taskmaster and
is not above stretching out the pain).

Wobbly by now, I go over to the smaller punching bag and he
teaches me the trick to drilling away at the bladder. It’s all in the
timing and striking technique he tells me, and without looking
makes the thing rattle along like it’s wired to a machine. A light,
quick hitting action makes the thing go pop-pop-pop. It’s the quick
recovery after the hit that matters most and hitting the thing as it
comes towards you. After you get going, it’s in the timing. I try it
slowhand and it works ... for a little while anyway.

Finally, Al has me do these skipping/hopping things over a rope on
the floor and I finish with five minutes of skipping rope which
amounts to about 200 skips. It’s another workout, brother. I’m
drenched and drained.These days I bring a towel and a dry shirt. I
haven’t slaved away like this since high-school wrestling.

Another surprise tidbit (and there seem to be lots of surprises in
this boxing stuff): under responsible supervision, it takes about six
months of training to get into the ring for three rounds of sparring.
You gotta know your stuff before they’ll let you fight.

LIKE GOLF
8-21-97: Lesson #8
My hands ache because I’ve been tying them up too tight with the
wraps. Al wraps my hands today and his wraps are much looser
than mine.

We do some shadowboxing, specifically working on the hook. He
has me step into the hook --- marching across the room leading with
my right foot and punching with the left step. It’s a good exercise
and it gets me to swing the body into the punch. I’m supposed to
feel it in my stomach!

Working with the hand pads, Al has me throw various punches and
combinations. First jabs ... again and again and again.Then double
jabs ... again and again and again. Then one-twos. Then one-twos
with a hook.Then one-twos with a hook and a right. It’s difficult to
pivot off each foot correctly and maintain proper balance
throughout. Man, it’s hard to put it all together! Just like the dog-
gone golf swing!

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