The Full Set

Josh here.

In our last lesson of the last week, we returned to the gym for our co-ed boxing class again and I think we've made a surprising amount of progress from our first week. After the 2.5 hour session in the first week, none of us could even move but this time, we all survived through the ordeal with flying colors if I may add.

My favorite part of this boxing studio personally is its flexibility in its curriculum for each student. Clearly we aren't going to be as fit or as experienced as someone who has been going to the studio for years but the coaches seem to be able to teach something new for everyone everyday. The strenuous workout routine may be the same for everyone because those would be very difficult to customize yet we can control our own pace if we get overwhelmingly tired. Even if we may not do as many reps as the person next to us, we still give our best in hopes of eventually reaching the number of reps our rival next to us is doing. The close space encourages healthy competition between ourselves and serves as a great motivator and may be the reason why the environment keeps calling us back in.

Other than the usual jump rope and ab workout in the first 45 minutes, our true boxing class begins to really delve into the more complicated combinations of punches and throws we can have to maximize our damage output while keeping us relatively safe. As I've mentioned before, (assuming right-hand dominance) 1 symbolizes a left jab, 2 a right jab, 3 a left hook. Then we went further to complete the 4, 5 combo of 4: right upper cut and 5: left upper cut. Although boxing may be a very spontaneous sport and reliant on improvisation most of the times, the most efficient combinations of punches that we were taught include the 1-2, 1-2-1, 2-3-2, 1-2-3-4-5. Then there are the other situational combinations which are all reliant on what type of punch you wish to throw. At the beginning of the match, one should try and test out the reflexes and reactions of one's opponent through the 1-1, two weak jabs to the facial area. Once you see an opening or the opponent is off balance, you can start going in for the pounding with the 2-2, two completely obliterating jabs to disorient them (but leaves yourself rather defenseless), or even the 2-3-2 (in hopes of the knockout hook).

The second very important lesson I learned other than the different combinations came from the rhythm and timing of the punches in these combos. None of these combinations are set in stone but most opponents will be expecting these set of punches to come consecutively so by disjointing your punches with a small bit of hesitation, the opponent will be taken by surprise. One such example is the 1-2-0-2, where 0 symbolizes a small time interval between the punches. The logic behind this move is in hopes of the opponent letting down his guard after the initial barrage. With a feeling of false safety, he will be more susceptible to incoming attacks.

That's all for now folks!

Remember, arms up, head low.
Josh