Boxing 101: The Flipping Jab 03.12.04 - By Coach Tim Walker – - If you ever get the opportunity to sit down and talk boxing with one of the old-time boxers or trainers please take advantage of it. You might just learn a thing or two. I did and do almost everyday. Boxing is a sport unlike any other. It is as much based on skill as it is power, as much based on footwork as it is hand speed, as much based on stamina as it strength. No two boxers are alike and typically the man who is able to present the best of attributes in the ring walks out the victor. Some old-time trainers preach that the way to boxing’s Promised Land starts with road work and bag work. Some believe that it can only be achieved by a body hardening regiment of push-ups, sit-ups, and jump rope. Still there are trainers who think that sparring and only sparring is the way. The methodology of training a boxer varies from trainer to trainer but there is one point by which every trainer can agree. Everything, absolutely everything, starts from the jab. When you walk into your gym today stop all the action. Gather your amateurs and ask them this question: What is the purpose of a jab? Be mentally prepared to get responses that are far away from what you are looking for but that is the purpose of the question. According to old-time trainers there are only three answers to that question and they should fall in...
