Modern boxing is one of the most spectacular and challenging sports. Being one of the martial arts, it is a real test of perfection of an athlete’s body and spirit. Only ideal combination of physical fitness and psychological condition allows a fighter to win the fight and become a champion. Each fight is a test of stamina, skills and moral strength of a boxer
Like any other sport, boxing is based on serious technical training, comprehensive study of which helps to achieve necessary results. Since ancient times, when the strongest men met in fist fights, it was not strength but skill that was the winner. As far back as in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome there were specialized schools where fighters were honing their skills and techniques of hand-to-hand fighting. During the last millenniums boxing underwent numerous technical changes: more attention was paid to tactical skills of athletes, movement around the ring, defensive moves. Punches became more aimed and the preparation for a punch is an essential component of a modern boxer’s skill.
There is a famous saying of the famous Mohammed Ali: “Flutter like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” It is the combination of different punches and active movements which allows to gain an advantage in a fight and to achieve the victory.
The technique of modern boxing can be divided into several main components:
Striking technique.
Protective techniques.
Technique of moving around the ring.
During the fight the key importance is an ability to strike quickly and accurately, not to let the opponent hit himself and actively move, exhausting the opponent and finding a convenient position to attack.
Let’s briefly analyze each of these components.
Striking Technique
The determining argument to achieve victory in a boxing fight is a strong and accurate punch. To make a knockout punch many boxers spend long hours in exhausting trainings. A correctly placed, coordinated and effective punch can give a real advantage in a fight against a more physically advanced opponent. Effective striking should be understood as the correct and optimal combination of the position of the hand and the rest of the body when striking with its physical component. At the moment of striking there should be a maximum combination of the energy of the punching arm movement and the total energy of the leg and body muscles. Only a rational coordination of movements of all parts of the body multiplied by the motor energy of certain muscles gives the maximum effect and inflicts devastating damage to the opponent.
Defensive techniques
Serious attention in modern boxing is paid to the elements of defense. You should not underestimate your opponent and allow him to produce accurate blows. Any advantage in the fight will vanish in a moment if you miss the destructive attack of your opponent.
Technique of modern boxing contains several types of defensive techniques.
Kick defense involves the athlete’s movements in order to move to the distance unreachable for the punch or side shifts from the line of attack.
Hand defense involves placing various parts of the arms under the blow or repulsing the blow. Torso defense involves ducking and diving.
Squatting allows you to defend against straight and side blows. Combination of all these techniques provides boxer with reliable protection in a fight.
The technique of moving around the ring
A great role in realizing technical and tactical skills of a modern boxer is played by athlete’s legs work, i.e. proper moving around the ring. Accurate maneuvers on the floor help to save own reserves and exhaust the opponent’s forces. Ability to change the distance of the fight quickly and effectively with the application of appropriate striking skills allows you to surpass your opponent throughout the fight.
Combination of all mentioned technical components gives the modern boxer a competitive advantage in every fight. The study of modern boxing techniques should be done under the guidance of experienced mentors in boxing schools.
