THE BOXING BEAT - THE TRAINER-COACH

THE TRAINER - By Brian Zelley

Looking through the pages of boxing history reveals a wide variety of coaches and trainers with different experience
and techniques. One important first step for the trainer is to have a broad base of understanding of boxing history
and experience in the sport of boxing from the ground up.

Of course an understanding of the history and experience in the sport is no guarantee that the would be trainer
will be effective. Effectiveness will be determined by the abilty of the coach to demonstrate the skills on a
verbal basis and a visual basis, and a combined verbal and visual basis. For instance, it is necessary to point out
a procedure on a physical basis by demonstrating the point, communicating the procedure to the trainee,
explaining the reasons for the procedure, and watching the trainee execute the procedure. Then the trainer should
analyze the results and show and communicate to the trainee the correct procedure.

BOXING BASICS:

There is no rush, each trainee will learn the basics on a graduated level, and it must start with the basics of stance,
foot and body movement, the basic straight left, straight right, and basic boxing defensive skill of blocking.
Over time the other basic punches can be taught and other defensive skills can be added to the boxing tool kit.

THE LEFT JAB

Often considered the lead punch or the measurement tool for measuring distance before executing other punches.

The left is a multi-purpose tool that can be used as an offensive weapon or a defensive tactic.

As a rule it is important to be able the jab as a single , double or three at a time to add the element of surprise.

An important issue is the left jab should not be punched at the target but through the target. However,
some left jabs are used to probe the defensive abilities of the opponent and do not have to be executed with power,
but speed still is an important issue.

An important defensive step is to close a series of combinations with the safety left jab which allows the boxer to return to
to the proper stance position.

For variation, it is also important to target the body for some left jabs, it enables one also to see how the oponents
defense is.