THE ART OF BOXING! Excerpts from Mr.
Davis' Official
IKF Kickboxing Training Manual.
It is important that the Kick Boxer understands the importance of Boxing and
the advantages it gives a fighter to have "good hands." I have seen
far too many so called Kick Boxers depend solely on their feet to win matches in
fact I have seen some of them become pretty successful at it. However, it is
those that have the good boxing skills as well as good kicking skills that seem
to make the better and more exciting fighters. It can't be expressed enough to
the serious Kick Boxer the importance of getting him/herself into a boxing gym.
The knowledge that you receive will make the difference between being a
contender or becoming a world champion. Too many have tried to take what
punching skills they obtained from their Karate class to pursue a Kick Boxing
career. This more often than not ends in tragedy. You must understand that the
average Karate class will not teach you anything about the weaving, bobbing and
slipping techniques that are so vital when in the ring. Furthermore, the way in
which a Boxer is taught to put their body weight behind their punches is vital
to having good punching power. The straight up, straight forward style of
punching that most Karate instructors teach will only leave you vulnerable and
lacking power. So, in order to become the most effective Kick Boxer find the
nearest Boxing gym or Coach and get busy!
Note: You may be fortunate enough to
have a Kick Boxing gym in your area, if so check it out. Its possible that the
instructor may have had the proper boxing/kicking background to give you the
tools you will need to become an excellent kick boxer.
This portion will concentrate on some of the punches of the Boxer. Later, we
will discuss how they will work together with your Kicking techniques.
- Punching Tips
- Keep wrist straight
- Use two largest knuckles for striking.
- Do not telegraph punches.
- Always look where your punches are going. ( broad view, not by telegraphing
with your eyes)
- Use your body weight to increase power.
- Remain semi-relaxed while in guard position - tense at end of punch return
to semi- relaxed position.
- For more punching power, line shoulders up by pivoting with feet and
turning waist - use thighs.
- Hit as hard as possible (not necessarily with every punch but with most of
them)
- MOVE YOUR HEAD!
- CREATE A MONEY PUNCH!...one you can call on when you need it.
- Proper Stance
- Feet should be approx. one shoulder width apart - Front foot should be flat
( with most weight ) - back foot should be on the ball. - knees should be
slightly bent.
- Hand Position
- Fist should be located slightly below eyes - elbows should point downward -
triceps should be slightly against body.
- Note: Fist will slightly move up to
cover temper area as you bend your knees.
- The Jab
- This punch can be termed as a life saving technique. As Mohammed Ali
taught us, there is nothing like a good jab. The jab will literally set up the
rest of your punches, as well as kicks. It also allows you to keep your
opponent at bay. I have seen too many fighters neglect the jab and start their
hooks and rights from the outside. They end up either telegraphing their punch
or walking into their opponents punches. So, use the jab and use it often!
- Jabbing
- From fighting position - guard should be in fighting position, elbows
should remain pointing to the ground as you extend your arm - at the point of
contact turn fist right side up. Shift body weight forward - Jab should be
thrown with a snap. Straight out and back to starting position -Remember to
align shoulders and hip on contact.
- Cross
- In fighting position (shown from Right side) - begin turning right side of
body forward ( note: do not move arms first) - as your right shoulder lines up
with target - throw right hand straight - ( leaving elbows downward) - turn
punch over ( as shown,) at end off punch with a snapping motion and return to
guard position. Remember to tense at the end of the punch.
- Note: It is important to turn your
hip and right foot simultaneously with and in the direction of punch.
- Personal note: My ( right)
cross became more effective when I began to follow the previous mentioned
guidelines. However, there were a couple of other small things I did to increase
power. For Instance, I would tense up my body on impact of punch - including my
buttocks muscles.
- Hook (left)
- Start in fighting position - knees slightly bent - begin turning upper
body, hip and lead foot towards right - ( elbows should remain in position) -
the closer your punch moves towards target the more your elbow comes up behind
punch. ( at the end of the punch, elbows should be directly lined up. ( as we
discussed earlier).
- Uppercut Tips
- This punch should not be done from outside fighting range.
- The punch is thrown out and up which will require the opponent to move
more of h/her body to avoid the punch. If it is thrown straight up, the
slightest head movement could allow the punch to miss.
- Uppercut
- From fighting position - begin turning shoulders (right shoulder) towards
opponents by rotating hip and pivoting back foot - throw punch as shoulders line
up with opponent. Fore knuckles will be facing you at completion of punch.
- Note: This punch is most effective
thrown under chin or at the body.
- Spinning Backfist
- This could be one of the most effective punches in the sport of Kick
Boxing. Its effectiveness will depend on how well you execute it with timing
speed and power. I did not use this technique to often. However, when I did use
it, I would always throw combinations before or immediately after. This punch is
often referred to as a blind technique, because the user has to turn their back
when throwing the punch as well as, it is difficult for the opponent to see it
coming. This punch should be used very carefully. Your timing is important, so
that you will not accidentally elbow your opponents.
- Spinning Backfist
- From fighting position - ( left side forward) begin turning head away from
opponent - eye contact from opponent should be at the bare minimum - turn body
and quickly follow with backfist - aim elbow at target and release as body
arrives back to center point (target). It is important to turn waist and pivot
feet together. Power in punch will come with the momentum of body movement.
Combinations will be featured in a separate section to show with hand and feet
combined.)
- Slipping
- This is done by tilting your upper body to the left, right or forward and
backwards to avoid kicks and punches. This will allow you to stay in the
striking range of your opponent. To often a fighter will unnecessarily move out
of the range of a blow to avoid being hit. They do not realize the detriment in
that they can often not hit their opponent. The slip will not only keep you in
proper striking distance, but it will also allow you to land cleaner and harder
punches and kicks to your opponent.
- A- Fighting Position
- Knees slightly bent tilt upper body to right side - continue the half
circle motion to center and left ending at start position.
- B- Fighting Position
- The slip can also be done to left and back to starting position - to right
and back to starting position and so on....
- Weave and Bob
- From fighting Position - slightly bending knees dip into a half moon
position to the left or right and repeat in opposite direction.
- Note: Always keep your eyes on your
opponent. Always keep your guard in front of your face - do not stick your head
beyond your defenses. These Boxing ideas, if followed should do a lot to
enhance your fighting skills. Most Karateka's have decant kicks. However, with
the proper Boxing skills we will not only have good fighters and quality
champions but we will indeed increase the spectator appeal in the sport
overnight and that means profitability for everyone involved.
- Personal Note: I remember the
days when it was not necessary for me to use my hands. I literally would throw
30 kicks per round. But when I realized how much easier I made my fights with
better Boxing skills, it really motivated me to improve them to the "max".
Most people thought that I was a Professional Boxer.
That was until they saw me kick...
All information on this page
Copyright by Johnny Davis, 1995 Back
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