Please Don't Hurt Me

Training
1

When I stopped to think about all the good stuff I’ve learned from this sub-forum, and the inspiration I’ve taken from it, I realised that a lot of the most beneficial stuff came from reading the logs that a few of you post here. With that in mind, I wanted to create one of my own. I’m not doing it so much for accountability, as it is clear to me that in this sport that can only come from within.

However, I am sure by posting my training here, both what I do inside the gym and in my own time, I will get a lot of excellent feedback from those of you who are more experienced. Your input can only help me progress and will no doubt give me plenty to think about and work on - in that respect, the point of this is really, as Donny puts it in his log, to have my training under ‘the watchful eye’ of those that are more experienced.

Without any further ado:

Stats:

Age: 24
Height: 6’1
Weight: 12st9lbs, 176lbs, 80.6kgs
Stance: orthodox
Training time to date: 7 weeks (basic technique had been taught to me by my father from an early age)

Last night’s training: 06/05/2014: Gym

Arrived, went for a run, approx 1 mile

Warm up:

4 x 2 mins skipping, 4 x 2 mins stepper (alternated)

Training:

8 x 1 minute lead hand technical sparring (open fist/no power). No breaks between rounds, just the time it took to swap partners.

8 x 1 minute as above, except with right hand to the body allowed as well (No power).

4 x 2 minute rounds (per person) technique on mitts: worked 1-2-1-2 moving forwards and backwards, and worked on slipping the jab and countering with either a jab or a cross.

12 x 1 minute rounds circuit training

Situps: 100 crunches, 100 leg raises, 50 roman crunches

Session ended here. I was packing up when one of the other coaches arrived and offered to work with me for another 40 minutes. We did 30 minutes pretty much straight on the mitts, mostly him working me, but I also did some pads for him too. Whilst this was going on the first coach was running a session for two guys who come separately, who have been training for about 6 months.

For my last 10 minutes, I sparred constantly with these two, with each of them swapping out after 1 minute. I was very pleased with how busy I managed to be, despite being tired. I did a lot of work behind the jab, and definitely had the measure of these two, which was pleasantly surprising. I took a lot of encouragement from it, and the coaches were pleased. A good night.

I then went and played 40 mins of another sport with a mate.

2

Well done champ; make sure and eat well after sessions like that.

3

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Well done champ; make sure and eat well after sessions like that.[/quote]

Thanks mate. My appetite is definitely huge at the moment - eating more or less everything I can get my hands on. Trying to sleep at least 8 hours every night too. Woke up without any soreness this morning though, so I’m improving.

4

Good work staying and getting the extra work in with the coach even though your workout was “over”. You show them that initiative and build some rapport and it’ll really pay off over time.

5

[quote]Melvin Smiley wrote:
Good work staying and getting the extra work in with the coach even though your workout was “over”. You show them that initiative and build some rapport and it’ll really pay off over time.[/quote]
Thats a good point- if you build that trust and relationship; they will invest in you.

6

Thanks guys. I’m determined to make my time there count, and to develop some impetus as soon as possible. They are really good coaches, I think, and I want their initial faith to pay off!

7

07/05/14

Home gym (roof of an old garage - no artificial light, Boiling in Summer, freezing in Winter).

Warm up:

3 x 3 light shadowboxing

Main training:

4 x 3 floor to ceiling bag - just concentrated on letting my hands go in good combinations, no real power, just developing the timing and co-ordination. Was able to land 4 & 5 punch combinations without too great a compromise in technique. When I tried to go for it a bit more, I lost some of my defensive integrity, so I dialed it back and concentrated on doing it properly. Although I was landing some combinations, I did most of the work on doubling, tripling, quadroupling etc my jab, and practising my 1-2s. All with a good guard.

3 x 3 heavybag - Again, a lot of jabs. I’m getting to a point where I can finally throw it pretty frequently without my shoulder tiring, so that is encouraging. I also worked on steppin in behind it on the back foot, as well as using head movement and footwork to shift my weight to the front foot to set up a more powerful jab. Started to get the hang of it.

3 x 3 speedbag - I got an old one of these off a mate for free. I use it to practise my hook, as Freddie roach suggests in one of his youtube training videos. This is a punch I can do fine in a vacuum, and I have success (relative) with a long range hook in sparring, but I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more. I try and do it when I’m killing time throughout the day, even if it’s just one at a time.

3 x 3 shadow boxing - mainly focussed on my head movement (trying to incorporate it - finding it quite unnatural at the moment, but haven’t really tried much before), and on my bouncing step to take me just in and out of range. Developing a lot more stamina in my legs for this sort of thing, and footwork is something I am naturally stronger at.

Weights:

3 x 5 x bw chinups
3x10x10lbs rear delt flies
3x8 ab roller

Done as a circuit to finish. Not done much for strength I don’t imagine, but feels like it will keep my posture good and shoulders healthier.

8

I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more

Stimulus; Jab. Straight Right, Right Hook or 1-2 Combination

Mechanics for the weave

  1. Evade the initial attack.
  • To evade the initial attack you must remove yourself from the opponents
    line of attack.
    Pivot of your lead left leg. Kick the left heel clockwise - thus
    transfering your weight to the rear right hip and removing your head from
    the line of attack. Cue; #safety
  1. Lower the base.
  • Once removed from the line of attack, drop your knees. This will lower
    your base and allow you to get beneath his attack. Remember to keep your
    back vertical and eyes locked on the opponents centreline.
    Cue; #levels
  1. Take the step.
  • The step is what will covert this from a defensive to an offensive move.
    Rather than step forward idly with the left foot, pivot on the right foot
    transferring the weight forward and closing the distance as the left foot
    steps forward one pace diagonally. I find that stepping toward the
    opponents rear hip gets me set for a nice counter. We are still low at
    this point.
    Cue; #under
  1. The pivot.
  • An aggressive pivot of the front hip will allow you to throw a violent
    counter left hook while returmning to your correct vertical stance.
    Kick the left heel clockwise and use the ankle/knee/hip/shoulder
    connection to turn over a short left hook on the opponents temple/chin.
    Remember your head has travelled in a “U” fashion. You have evaded the
    initial attack, travelled underneath his attack and rose up with a hard
    counter.
    Cue; #wind up
9

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more

Stimulus; Jab. Straight Right, Right Hook or 1-2 Combination

Mechanics for the weave

  1. Evade the initial attack.
  • To evade the initial attack you must remove yourself from the opponents
    line of attack.
    Pivot of your lead left leg. Kick the left heel clockwise - thus
    transfering your weight to the rear right hip and removing your head from
    the line of attack. Cue; #safety
  1. Lower the base.
  • Once removed from the line of attack, drop your knees. This will lower
    your base and allow you to get beneath his attack. Remember to keep your
    back vertical and eyes locked on the opponents centreline.
    Cue; #levels
  1. Take the step.
  • The step is what will covert this from a defensive to an offensive move.
    Rather than step forward idly with the left foot, pivot on the right foot
    transferring the weight forward and closing the distance as the left foot
    steps forward one pace diagonally. I find that stepping toward the
    opponents rear hip gets me set for a nice counter. We are still low at
    this point.
    Cue; #under
  1. The pivot.

  • An aggressive pivot of the front hip will allow you to throw a violent
    counter left hook while returmning to your correct vertical stance.
    Kick the left heel clockwise and use the ankle/knee/hip/shoulder
    connection to turn over a short left hook on the opponents temple/chin.
    Remember your head has travelled in a “U” fashion. You have evaded the
    initial attack, travelled underneath his attack and rose up with a hard
    counter.
    Cue; #wind up

    [/quote]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write up such a thorough explanation. If there was a heart emoticon on here I’d surely use it! I’ve been practising shadowboxing that for the past half hour, and already it has made a big difference. It really helps to understand it, broken down into phases, so I can concentrate on being in the right place at each point of the maneuver. I really appreciate it. I will give it the practise it deserves!

10

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
Thank you very much for taking the time to write up such a thorough explanation. If there was a heart emoticon on here I’d surely use it! I’ve been practising shadowboxing that for the past half hour, and already it has made a big difference. It really helps to understand it, broken down into phases, so I can concentrate on being in the right place at each point of the maneuver. I really appreciate it. I will give it the practise it deserves![/quote]
No worries brother.

I need to break things down sequentially or else I cant perform it.

I also need to know where my weight should go or I end up getting sloppy.

11

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more

[/quote]

Not for anything Donny, but aren’t you comparatively tall?

I mean, I’m only 5’7", so the weave/hook/left hand is kind of important for me, but if you’re tall for your weight class, that weave isn’t going to see much use.

12

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more

Stimulus; Jab. Straight Right, Right Hook or 1-2 Combination

Mechanics for the weave

  1. Evade the initial attack.
  • To evade the initial attack you must remove yourself from the opponents
    line of attack.
    Pivot of your lead left leg. Kick the left heel clockwise - thus
    transfering your weight to the rear right hip and removing your head from
    the line of attack. Cue; #safety
  1. Lower the base.
  • Once removed from the line of attack, drop your knees. This will lower
    your base and allow you to get beneath his attack. Remember to keep your
    back vertical and eyes locked on the opponents centreline.
    Cue; #levels
  1. Take the step.
  • The step is what will covert this from a defensive to an offensive move.
    Rather than step forward idly with the left foot, pivot on the right foot
    transferring the weight forward and closing the distance as the left foot
    steps forward one pace diagonally. I find that stepping toward the
    opponents rear hip gets me set for a nice counter. We are still low at
    this point.
    Cue; #under
  1. The pivot.

  • An aggressive pivot of the front hip will allow you to throw a violent
    counter left hook while returmning to your correct vertical stance.
    Kick the left heel clockwise and use the ankle/knee/hip/shoulder
    connection to turn over a short left hook on the opponents temple/chin.
    Remember your head has travelled in a “U” fashion. You have evaded the
    initial attack, travelled underneath his attack and rose up with a hard
    counter.
    Cue; #wind up

    [/quote]

That was a wonderful explanation. I have students who struggle with these type movements. You captured the weight transfers and foot movement that really make it work.

for the OP on the wind up remember you are driving from that U movement with your legs. That is where the power is coming from. Sometimes you can give a body shot while you are down there and come back up for the head shot as well

13

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:

[quote]Newboxer wrote:
Thank you very much for taking the time to write up such a thorough explanation. If there was a heart emoticon on here I’d surely use it! I’ve been practising shadowboxing that for the past half hour, and already it has made a big difference. It really helps to understand it, broken down into phases, so I can concentrate on being in the right place at each point of the maneuver. I really appreciate it. I will give it the practise it deserves![/quote]
No worries brother.

I need to break things down sequentially or else I cant perform it.

I also need to know where my weight should go or I end up getting sloppy.[/quote]

I’ve got to learn to do the same. I can see how useful it will be.
Thanks again.

14

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
I really struggle to use the tighter hook, or to get the technique right when I try to incorporate it with a weave. I need to practise it a lot more

[/quote]

Not for anything Donny, but aren’t you comparatively tall?

I mean, I’m only 5’7", so the weave/hook/left hand is kind of important for me, but if you’re tall for your weight class, that weave isn’t going to see much use.[/quote]

That’s what my coach said to me as well, but I still want it in my arsenal if I ever box someone my height! Plus, the ability to do the unexpected if the opportunity arises can’t be any bad thing!

15

[quote]Ranzo wrote:

That was a wonderful explanation. I have students who struggle with these type movements. You captured the weight transfers and foot movement that really make it work.

for the OP on the wind up remember you are driving from that U movement with your legs. That is where the power is coming from. Sometimes you can give a body shot while you are down there and come back up for the head shot as well
[/quote]

Bodyshot with the lead hand I assume, as a right uppercut would leave me vulnerable to a left hook?

16

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Not for anything Donny, but aren’t you comparatively tall?

I mean, I’m only 5’7", so the weave/hook/left hand is kind of important for me, but if you’re tall for your weight class, that weave isn’t going to see much use.[/quote]

I’m 6’1" and enjoy long walks on the beach.

17

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Not for anything Donny, but aren’t you comparatively tall?

I mean, I’m only 5’7", so the weave/hook/left hand is kind of important for me, but if you’re tall for your weight class, that weave isn’t going to see much use.[/quote]

I’m 6’1" and enjoy long walks on the beach.[/quote]

Good to know. Me too. We should totally be roommates.

Anyway, do you use the weave often then? Cause I find that I use it against taller dudes often, but against people my size, it’s not necessary until I’m on the inside, but it’s tougher to pull off cause you gotta sit further.

18

[quote]Newboxer wrote:

[quote]Ranzo wrote:

That was a wonderful explanation. I have students who struggle with these type movements. You captured the weight transfers and foot movement that really make it work.

for the OP on the wind up remember you are driving from that U movement with your legs. That is where the power is coming from. Sometimes you can give a body shot while you are down there and come back up for the head shot as well
[/quote]

Bodyshot with the lead hand I assume, as a right uppercut would leave me vulnerable to a left hook?[/quote]

Yeah, liver shot or a body hook, could even give a jab to the gut. It is sometimes hard for me to do the low body shot and I will cover with the left hand and throw an uppercut. Also I do MMA so many times on an aggressive guy I will body check him or grab the takedown.

19

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Good to know. Me too. We should totally be roommates.

Anyway, do you use the weave often then? Cause I find that I use it against taller dudes often, but against people my size, it’s not necessary until I’m on the inside, but it’s tougher to pull off cause you gotta sit further.[/quote]
The walks thing. Boxing. Both Irish.
Man we could be cousins or something?

I have always enjoyed fighting inside.
But the weave, I find is most frequently used as a “trap.”
Its not a move fighters expect from someone with my frame and I find it most effective as a counter used at the opportune time i.e. not all the time!

20

08/05/14

If I can diverge for a minute from the main course of this evening’s symposium, here is my training from tonight, or what I can remember of it:

Warm up:

4 x 2 stepper, 4 x 2 skipping

Training:

4 x 3 (each) mitt work with a partner working speed on the basics: jabs, 1-2s, and jab then long range hooks.

Sparring:

1 x 3 minutes with a guy who has quite a lot more experience than me and is heavier (but shorter). Managed to control him with the jab for most of the round. I was obviously doing ok because the coach spent more time telling him how to try to land on me than the other way round! I wanted to do more, but the coach didn’t want me to over do it. I accept his judgement.

3 x 3 sparring drills and mitt work. One of the experienced guys has also taken me under his wing and works with me every time he is in, pushes me to get better and think. Definitely appreciate his guidance on the pads, and I learn a lot partnering with him

10 x 1 heavy bag sprint punching
10 x 1 bounce step
This was done back to back as a circuit.

Abs:

100 situps
100 roman crunches

At the end of the session the coach took me aside and asked me if I’d like to wait, because the other coach was coming down and wanted to do more training with me. I lept at the chance, and ended up doing another 2 hours training after the session, which went as follows:

20 mins floor to ceiling - very light, focus on technique and head movement, more or less non-stop whilst I waited for the other coach.

Then we did a drill where he held his hands out in front of him and walked me down, keeping constant pressure on me, forcing me to get a combination off and then use my feet to move.

Then we practised my weight distribution for slipping straight punches moving forwards and backwards.

Then we did the same drill with me throwing uppercuts with the correct footwork (so slipping and moving in), then the same thing with uppercuts and hooks.

Then we did a drill where I had to jab, lean back, then come back with a double or single jab.

Then more general mitt work technique, and a bit with the body shield.

Total training time for the evening was 3.5 hours. Every bit of me hurts.

This coach has offered to train me free, 1 to 1, after every session in future. It’s an amazing and generous offer, and one I’m keen to repay by being the best I can be. I’m starting to understand that conviction thing Donny was talking about!