Page 135 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up
P. 135

Journal


                     That     She says something to Al as I rest. After she
                              leaves, Al tells me that he put on a boxing
                 sounds       clinic for her son’s 14th birthday over the
                              weekend.One of the kids had a big mouth so
            great. You        Al had him spar with someone who clocked
                              him. I ask if he set it up that way and he
             punch my         laughs and says yeah, sorta. He was a real
                              pain. A spoiled La Jolla rich kid. I start
           head and I         laughing so loud everyone on the other side
                   punch      of the glass looks over. Apparently the
                              woman was all right with the scuffle as she
              your mitt.      was all smiles when she came in. I’m
                              thinking Alan, you’re a sly dog. As well as
                              brother, don’t ever mess with Coach!

           After the slipping exercise, I go a round or two on the mitts and
           work on the cutting off techniques we went over a few weeks ago.
           This entails moving to the right or left with your opponent as he
           moves, fencing him in with right or left hooks to the body.As I’m
           very tired by now, it’s all I can do to remember which foot to lead
           with when I move laterally.

           We wrap it up and Al is pleased. You slip better than me. You’ve
           really improved. I say thanks, I’ve been practicing footwork at
           home.He says we’ll be incorporating some contact into each lesson
           from now on. I’m stoked. The closer we get to combat the better.
           It’s the only way to really learn some of this stuff and with contact
           you learn fast!
           GO AHEAD, HIT ME
                               12-16-97: Lesson #34
           Some work on the pillar then something a little different. Al hangs
           a rope from the ceiling with a large knot dangling on one end. He
           swings it and shows me how to avoid the knot by slipping.The knot
           is about head high and the trick is to move your head just enough
           to let the knot slip by. Actually, we went over this eons ago (man,
           it’s been five months since I started!) but now it makes more sense
           as I’m beginning to work head and shoulder movements into my
           routine, which includes semi-sparring with Al (where I’d better
           move my noggin or else!).

           I’m awkward at first but it starts to gel. I stare at the mirror as the

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