People ask me all the time, what are the best beginner boxing tips that I could give to somebody who wants to start learning how to box? Really, the best thing I could say is to go find a local boxing gym near your home and start heading down there a few times a week to get your feet wet. But outside of that, it's important to start training in boxing the correct way, using fundamentals and sound techniques.
You want to prevent injury and learn the correct form. If you learn how to box using incorrect techniques and/or sloppy punches, that will always stay with you and it will be hard to correct. The best beginner boxing tips therefore should focus on honing your form and learning the basic boxing techniques and fundamentals.
Learning How to Box with Beginner Boxing Tips
Beginner Boxing Tips #1: Buy the proper gear - You have to protect yourself from injury while you are boxing. If you go to a gym, you won't have to buy the actual training equipment and likely there will be some gloves and headgear available. However, if you are training at home or want to ensure that you have quality gear, then you should purchase your own boxing gloves, hand wraps, mouthpiece and headgear and boxing shoes.
Beginner Boxing Tips #2: Learn the jab - The jab is the most important tool in your boxing arsenal and everything else comes from it. The jab sets up your other punches, it helps you learn boxing footwork and other fundamentals and it is vital to learning how to box. Before you start flinging punches from all angles, learn how to throw a jab.
Get in a boxing stance with your lead foot forward with your weight on your toes and take a step forward at the same time that you throw a straight punch with your lead hand. Bring your fist back into its starting position at your face, step with your back foot to resume the starting position, and repeat. Continue in a straight line for as much room as you have, then pivot around and repeat the process.
Beginner Boxing Tips #3: Start in the mirror - It may be tempting to start punching as hard as you can on the heavy bag, but before you do, you should watch yourself shadow box in the mirror. Watching yourself shadow box will help you learn the solid boxing fundamentals that you need to avoid injury and be successful in the sport. You'll get a great view of what you're doing wrong and how you can improve on it. Then move onto using the heavy bag. Anytime that something doesn't feel or look correct, go back in front of the mirror and watch your form.
Beginner Boxing Tips #4: Work the heavy bag - At this point you should have practiced your jab and watched yourself in the mirror while shadowboxing. Now take it to the heavy bag and begin going to work. Again, start with nothing but the jab. Fire a jab into the bag and continue to circle the bag, throwing nothing but jabs. Learning how to box requires you master this punch, so you might as well start from the beginning.
Adjust your distance so that your fist reaches the bag with maximum force. You don't want to be pushing the bag and you don't want to have to reach for it. Now begin mixing in your other punches, starting with your straight cross and then adding in your hook. Work with combinations until you get each one down and always practice with solid boxing fundamentals.
Beginner Boxing Tips #5: Improve your cardio - Some people that are just starting training in boxing overlook the conditioning and cardio intensity of boxing training. Boxing is one of the most intense workouts you can perform, and you need to be in shape to really excel. Improve your conditioning by taking small steps during each workout to help raise your game. At the start and finish of every workout, spend 3 rounds jumping rope, resting only when and if absolutely necessary. When punching the heavy bag, set goals for yourself, such as throwing four or more punches each and every time. This will keep you more active and will improve your stamina and conditioning.
