The basics of Boxing

The Boxing Stance: (Orthodox (Right footed) if you are left footed (Southpaw) then everthing below is the other way around)

Step 1:
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.

Step 2:
Move your left foot towards your right foot so that your left toes meet your right toes at an angle. This may seem difficult at first. Your feet may end up being staggered, which could cause you to forget about keeping your hips forward. With practice, this stance will feel more and more natural.

Step 3:
With your left foot, step forward approximately twelve to fifteen inches. The toes of your left (front) foot should be pointed between 12 and 2 o'clock.
Raise the heel of your right (back) foot slightly off the floor. Your right toes should also be pointed between 12 and 2.

Step 4:
Check your stance. Your hips should be level, even though your feet are a bit staggered. Always keep your hips directly under your shoulders and directly over a midpoint between your feet. Your body should always work as a solid unit.

Step 5:
Raise your left hand to cheek level. Your palm should be facing your face. When making a fist, close your hand so that the tips of your fingers touch your palms. Rest your thumb against the knuckle of your middle finger.

Step 6:
Carry your right hand at chin level, again with your palm facing you. Make sure that you do not bring your shoulders back up around your ears.

Some things to remember:
When in your stance, keep the heel of your back foot slightly off the floor. Distribute your weight equally between both feet. Do not tip forward onto the balls of your feet. If you feel yourself doing this, distribute more of your weight down through your arches and heels. Make sure to keep your elbows in, pressed against your body. Always remember to breathe deeply—from your diaphragm.



Punching Techniques: The Jab

This punch has many purposes:

> Increase the distance between you and your opponent.
> Use it to set up other punches and punch combinations.
> Or, use the jab simply as a solid blow to your opponent's face.

Step 1:
(The jab is always thrown with your forward hand) Shift most of your weight onto your right (back) leg. This assists in counterbalancing your body when you throw the punch.

Step 2:
Fully extend your arm. Just before your fist/glove strikes the target, rotate your hand so that your thumb is facing the floor. Remember to keep your wrists straight to avoid injury. Also, keep your elbow slightly flexed at the point of impact (otherwise, you might hyperextend it).

Step 3:
Return your arm back to your body. Remember, the punch always remains on one plane-throw and retract your punch without weaving up or down or side to side.

Step 4:
Do not allow your shoulders to lead. This may cause you to bend at the waist when making your punch. Keep your shoulders back.

Step 5:
When throwing your jab, keep your muscles slightly tensed. Anchor your punch by contracting your back and butt muscles.
It is important that the movement of your feet coincides with the movement and placement of your punch. Properly stepping with the jab will ensure that your punch is effective.



Punching Techniques: The Straight Right

Use the straight right after you have set up an opening with your jab.

Step 1:
After establishing your stance, shift your weight to your left leg. Pivot your right (rear) foot so that your toes are pointing forward, while simultaneously delivering a right punch. Remember to push against the floor with your rear foot. (At the very last moment, rotate your fist so that your thumb is facing the floor.)

Step 2:
Pull your hand back on the same plane the punch was thrown. Return your rear foot to its original position-toes pointing between 12 and 2 o'clock.




Punching Techniques: The Hook

Unlike the other punches, the hook is a bent-arm punch. The power of this punch is generated by a move known as a body whirl. In order to perfect this punch, try to master each movement one step at a time before going on to the next step.

Step 1: The Body Whirl
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Your weight should be equally distributed between your feet. Bring your fists together and hold them against your chest (with palms facing your chest).

Step 2:
Shift your weight to your right leg while simultaneously rotating your body to the right. Pivot on the ball of your left foot so that your toes end up pointing toward your right foot. You will notice that this movement causes your arms to move along with it. Stop rotating when your elbow reaches about the midpoint in front of you.

Step 3:
Try this move again with a slight variation. Shift your weight to the right foot. Pivot on the ball of you left foot until your toes point toward your right foot. Immediately, snap your left arm up into a ninety-degree angle. Your left fist should stop at a midpoint in front of you.
This is called a lateral punch. The power of the hook comes from the momentum of your body rotating and the resistance of your foot pushing off of the floor. At this point, the left side of your torso should be in line with the direction of your punch.


Step 4:
Return your left foot back to its original position and bring your left fist back to its cheek level position





Punching Techniques: The Uppercut

Step 1:
To throw a right uppercut, start in the classic boxing stance with the back (right) knee bent. Lower the right shoulder to drop the right side of the body in a semi-crouch position. Remember to keep the left fist up by the chin to protect the head.

Step 2:
Now as you rotate the hips forward, push the ball of the back foot, (the right foot), and punch the right fist up towards the target. The right side of the back and the right shoulder will follow through with the rotation of the hips.

Step 3:
The hips finish being squared to the front. The right arm always stays close to the body and moves upward in a semi-circle. For the most effective and powerful punch, keep the elbow bent at a right angle during the delivery and follow through.

Step 4:
Uppercuts to the body will cause the opponent's body to fall forward. Step away slightly and complete the combination with another uppercut to the head.

Some things to remember:
When practicing this punch stay close to the target. If the punch is thrown from the outside, the opponent will be able to easily detect that the punch is coming and counter with an effective straight punch. An uppercut from the outside also loses some of its power because the arm is no longer bent at the elbow and cannot effectively transfer the total body's force in the upward movement.

Wow... That's impressive. I like it, thanks for posting it.

Very nice guide James

Thanks people, I'm going to be adding more to when I have the time

Nice guide