Page 129 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Journal

About this rounds with the heavy bag until my jab lands
like a slap.This goes better (I have been hit-
jumping ting the bag a lot at home) and my left hook
is coming along. It’s alotta work and the last
rope. It punches are like digging a damn ditch (Al:
Come on! Thirty seconds more!) but it
ain’t easy finally ends in a sweat-soaked flourish ... and
then it’s time to jump rope.
or pansy.
About this jumping rope. It ain’t easy or
pansy,let me tell you.Not the way EL COACHO likes to see it done,
anyway. Try ten reps skipping with both feet, next ten with one,
then ten with the other. Repeat in a descending count (reps of 9, 8,
7, etc.) until you’re skipping two feet, right foot and finally left in
sequence.Hey,it was hard enough just getting to 100 jumping with
both feet last week. Going to a single leg is murder! I’ve been
working on this on my patio and have gotten to the point where I
only have to stop and start again two or three times.

But after an hour-long lesson with Al (and that’s a FULL hour, baby)
jumping rope is like lifting potato sacks.By the time I’m through I’m
woozy, wobbly and dripping wet on my feet.And feeling absolutely
wonderful!
ART & BLOODY NOSES
10-16-97: Lesson #20
I go six rounds on the pillar, struggling with the last round or two.
Al puts on his mitts and we work on punches and counters. I perk
up for this --- it’s so much fun. I do fairly well, not hesitating or get-
ting baffled like I sometimes do when Al goes offensive.My balance
is better, too. I still drop my right and square off too much (getting
out of the boxer’s stance during inside fighting), among other
things, but all-in-all not bad.

My form is OK before fatigue sets in. Punches are strong and
snappy. My footwork has a touch of grace and spunk to it.When I
start to get tired the crispness goes. I push my punches and plod.
My jab is especially affected. It lands with a slap instead of a POP!
and man does my left shoulder ache!

We work on slips and ducks. I’m really weak with my boxing
rhythm and my head movement. I feel like such a plodder. I should

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