Page 146 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve

ONLY LOOKS SIMPLE 1-29-98: Lesson #47
Bag work.I think it’s losing its glamour. And why is it that punching
the pillar is less satisfying than working my hanging bag at home?
Just doesn’t have the crisp pop and response.The pillar is starting
to leak (it’s water filled). Al seems to think that I’m beating it to
death (finally, after six months!).

After the bag routine, Al has me work on two responses to a jab.
One is a quick overhand right thrown over the opponent’s jab and
the other is a slip and a jab.The first is more or less a reaction punch
that can be successful because the right extends farther than your
opponent’s jab. Even if you miss with it, it’ll block the incoming jab
and put your opponent on notice that his jab may elicit your right
hand.

The slip and jab are not new, but there are some nuances we go
over. The jab is thrown with a slip that is a rather precise dipping
of the left shoulder. My tendency is to lean back or sway with the
slip, which takes me away from the punch.The right way to do it
entails a small movement of the head and shoulders --- just enough
to make your opponent’s punch miss.

I work on the above with Al and his punch mitts, then on the pillar
by myself. With the mitts it feels good. On the pillar I feel a little
awkward. Slips are elusive to master and only look simple (like
alotta this boxing stuff). It’s a unique and valuable skill. I wanna get
it down.

Guess it’s a hard session today. I’m soaked.
WHAT I STILL DON’T KNOW
2-3-98: Lesson #48
Boxing is difficult. Have I said that?

A sparring lesson with Al today is exhausting and frustrating.
Haven’t I learned anything? Am I in such miserable shape? After the
usual bag work we go three rounds or so.I hit his gloves,he hits me.
I’m sloppy. No form. No snap. And tired, tired, tired.

The worst thing: I lose eye contact a coupla times as I duck his
punches and do this spinning thing to get outta there. This is a
freaky reflex response and totally without fundamental merit as I’m

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