Pick The Right Boxing Style
Just after buying your boxing gloves and punching bags for practice, you need to sit and decide what boxing style will suit you the most. For a boxer, style is more important than you might think. If you want to win fights and please the crowd you have to box with own style. Part of that means deciding on the type of boxer you are. Whether you go for tried and tested ways of getting to your opponent and work to emulate famous boxers or develop a style all of you own, it will become part of you especially when you mix in your signature moves. Here’s more about different boxing styles and some boxing tips to help you get started.
Boxing Style
Every boxer has a style which becomes their signature. By practicing and finding what works for you or by observing others, it is possible to adapt to any boxing style. Once you develop yours, your punches automatically flow without much thinking.
Type Of Boxers
There are two different types of boxers and each adapts to a different boxing style.
Aggressive Boxers
Aggressive boxers work to dominate the ring and give a victorious image to an amateur. They prefer to occupy the center of the ring and force their opponents towards the corners. They hardly move back from their place and box vigorously. The only drawback to this approach is that while occupying the center their feet are leveled which makes their defense weaker. With a hard blow, they are less likely to maintain their stance and are often unable to put up a defense. This is the reason they get maximum hits. Make sure you wear a mouthguard in this case.
Defensive Boxers
Defensive boxers are observers and retaliators. They spend the initial moments of fight observing their opponent and counter punch instead of progressing forward. They keep their body moving and are always ready to defend. Defensive boxers calmly plan their moves and attack at just the right moment. The fights with defensive boxers are often slow pace and lack the enthusiastic spirit which the viewers love.
Various Boxing Styles
There are four basic boxing styles adopted by different types of boxers according to their temperament and choice.
The Swarmer
This boxing style is the characteristic style of aggressive boxers. The swarmers expose themselves in the initial moments of the fight and stay close to the opponent giving little to no space to escape. They fight vigorously and make their moves quickly which definitely make their fight interesting for the viewer. They are well aware of the drawbacks of this style and make up for it with their brute strength. These boxers require intensive training and suffer injury more than most which is why the career of the Swarmer usually ends early.
The Out-Boxer
Out-boxer is the boxing style that defines defensive boxers. The boxer who adopt this style is a cool-headed strategist. They focus more on tactics and trailing rather than exposing themselves. Out boxers adopt the hunter’s style and carefully observe the opponents while playing defensive and long range punches. They slowly trap their opponent and once they are all set they quickly grab their position and rock the ring.
The Slugger
The slugger is a big heavy boxer. They are less active in the ring but are too powerful to deal with. They don’t make quick frequent moves but wait for their opponent to fall in their trap. They attack only when the opponent is in their range and one hit of the slugger is enough to jot down any boxer. The biggest drawback of being a slugger is that they get tired and exhausted quickly.
The Boxer Puncher
The boxer-puncher is a blend of aggressive and defensive styles. They possess the power to be aggressive and the speed and intellect of defensive boxers. They are a perfect combo to have face in the ring. The boxer-puncher is quite rare as usually, boxers prefer to master a single style than having a mix of different styles. Though the boxer-puncher is equipped with all the essential boxing qualities they lack the proficiency which single boxing style boxer possesses.
How To Pick The Right Boxing Style
Picking up the right boxing style is not just a matter of choice and inspiration. It depends largely on your natural flexes and skills. Usually, the boxer-puncher style fascinates novices and they desire to adopt this all-encompassing style. But it usually doesn’t work for newbies. It’s better to start with a more defensive boxing style and progress towards adopting the boxer-puncher style since it is really difficult to master and needs a level of skill. You need to coordinate your aggressive and intellectual tactics at the same level for this particular style and that it takes time to develop the skill set needed. It is acquired only by the pros in the field.
To determine your inner strengths and potentials opt for sparring. Pay aggressively and defensively and learn what works best for you. Put yourself in real pressure and fight with different sparring partners with different strengths and skills. This will reveal the true inner potential and will help you in deciding which boxing style to opt for.
Your boxing style also depends on your physique and temperament. Of course, a person with linear physique should not opt for aggressive styles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Usually, newbies in the field fall for these common mistakes.
- Never square your shoulders as it will give your opponent an opportunity to hit a larger target.
- Keep your feet properly aligned for marinating balance.
- Never keep your foot flat as it will limit your movements.
- Always keep your chin behind your hands as exposing chin is very dangerous in boxing.
- For defensive moves exert all your weight on front leg so that it can be moved quickly and with force.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you should spend more time on finding the right boxing style for you than finding those shiny boxing shoes. Take your time to decide who you want to be: An out-boxer and all defensive or aggressive swarmer? Or will you edge bets against the sluggers out there and try to go for being that rarest of boxing birds, the boxer-puncher? It may take some time to get there but if you don’t square your shoulders and keep your feet under control and keep your chin tucked away safe, at least you’ll be less of a target as you are working on developing your own unique boxing style.
