10 Boxing Tips For Beginner Fighters
What if your first punch ended up being your last?
Every boxer has to start somewhere. But if you don't know the proper way to train, then your boxing dreams will get knocked out right away.
Want to know the best boxing tips for beginners? Keep reading to discover our complete guide!
1. Hit the Hydro
Sometimes, the best boxing tips apply to other sports as well. For example, it's critical that you stay hydrated as you train.
Any good training session will leave sweat pouring from your body. You need to replenish that lost hydration with water.
Grab some H20 between every round. And don't forget to stay hydrated if you try out other martial arts. If you've been curious about things like MMA and kickboxing, now is the time to find out more.
2. Work the Stance
Basic boxing starts with the basic boxing stance. This is the foundation of your future training and matches.
Keep your front toe and your back heel firmly on the center of the line. Keep your main hand back and evenly distribute your weight.
Your knees should be bent and your feet diagonal, and don't forget to keep the back of your heel raised. And your elbows should be down with your hands raised up.
Put your chin down while still making sure you can see over your gloves. You are now officially ready to box!
3. Grab the Gear
Every specialized sport has its own special gear. It's good to go ahead and grab everything you need to start your boxing career.
You'll obviously need gloves and hand wraps (more on these later). For home training, grab yourself a standing punching bag. You may also want some optional equipment such as a speedbag.
Once you have everything in place, you can train at home when you can't make it to the ring. This helps your skills grow that much quicker.
4. Find a Coach
Speaking of the ring: it's important to find a good coach.
Many new boxers think that in the age of Youtube, a good coach is overrated. However, these guys are completely wrong!
Nothing teaches boxing better than hands-on training. And your training is limited only by the quality of the coaching you receive.
When you're shopping around for a good gym, don't just look for a clean place or fancy gear. Take the time to find coaches that you trust to develop your boxing skills.
5. Wrap It Up
You'll quickly discover that the gloves only do so much to protect your hands. That's why it's important to master wrapping your hands.
Your coach can help walk you through the proper technique to wrap it all up. If you're still finding a coach or still mastering the skill, you can also buy pre-wraps to help you get started.
It's true that advice like "pad those knuckles" and "support your wrist" seem pretty basic. But if you fail to safely wrap your hands, you can end up with nasty injuries such as a broken hand!
6. Fancy Footwork
Earlier, we talked about the basic boxing stance. After you master that, it's time to start with your footwork.
Pay close attention to your favorite boxers. Notice the way they move around the ring? This is known as the "step, drag" technique. It basically boils down to taking a step with your leading foot and then dragging the other foot where it needs to go.
Why this fancy footwork? On the most basic level, this funky way of moving keeps you from tripping over your own feet. And it keeps more of your weight on the ground, making you that much harder to knock out in the ring.
7. Power Punching
One thing that even non-boxers know about this sport is that knockout punches are important. How, then, can you develop a knockout punch?
Part of this is sheer power. No matter how much you weigh, the most powerful punches are the ones you put your weight into.
However, timing is also important. Go for a knockout at the wrong time and you're the one that ends up on the ground!
Wait for a moment when your opponent is dazed or distracted to really go for it. And don't forget to aim for the head (ideally the temples) for maximum impact.
8. Never Skip Cardio
We have already discussed some of the boxing training and exercises you should be doing. But what about other forms of exercise?
Above all else, it's important you don't skip cardio. Make the time to jog or perform other calisthenic activities each week.
Why? The "point" of this cardio training is to build your endurance. That means you can spend more time on your feet and win more matches.
9. Breath Control
You might think that breath control is handier in yoga than boxing. But the truth is that good boxers know exactly when to breathe and when to hold their breath.
While everyone develops their own techniques, we have a simple recommendation for beginners. We recommend you breathe in with your mouth when you get hit and breathe out with your nose mouth when you deliver a hit.
This helps ensure you get the oxygen you need during a match. And controlling your breathing can help you develop more precision and control during a fight.
10. Practice the Pivot
The final boxing move you must learn is deceptively simple. You must learn how to pivot when the time is right.
A pivot is a bit like the drag and step. You pivot in a certain direction with your dominant foot and then drag the other foot into position.
Pivots may be relatively small or large enough to turn you completely around. It takes time, but mastering the pivot can help you dodge blows while finding new opportunities during a fight.
Boxing Tips: Step Into the Ring
Now you have some of our best boxing tips. But do you know where you can learn even more from the experts?
We bring you the latest news in the boxing world each week. To see how we can help improve your technique, check out our professional interviews today!