Page 61 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Heavy Bag

Determining punching distance.

Jabs First
What else? First of all,determine your punching distance
to the bag. Extend your left arm so that your glove
mashes into the bag when it’s motionless and settle into
a boxer’s stance.There you go.

Snap off a jab or two at a head-high target in the middle
of the bag. Your punches should crack solidly as they
land and make the bag swing slightly and directly away
from you without spinning.

If it’s spinning you’re off target. If the bag is really
swinging you’re pushing your punches. Remember, your
jab should SNAP! --- accelerate, WHAP!, recover. You
almost pull the punch.There is no follow through (as in,
say,a golf swing).The sound and feel of the punch on the
bag will tell you if you’re hitting properly. It’s a sweet
feel --- like a ball on a bat.WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!

At first, practice your jabs from a solid stance to groove
your form. Throughout the punch you should be bal-
anced and in control.
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