Boxing For Kids

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As a sport boxing exercise doesn’t come to mind foremost for the majority of parents. Many parents would not consider boxing for kids in the slightest and would have a fear for their kid coming home with black eyes and a broken nose after the first session! However, as with all sports, boxing for kids can be safe with investment in the right equipment and in a good environment. The proper gear includes approved, Olympic-style headgear to protect against concussions and a mouth guard to help keep their teeth intact. Groin protection is also a necessity. Special child-sized Everlast boxing gloves are commonplace nowadays and should have a firm, snug fit.

The risk of injury is no greater than in other popular sports or activities such as gymnastics, hockey, swimming or football. Ensuring your child’s safety is about educating yourself in the sport and viewing the facilities it takes place in prior to expressing an opinion on it. With the increasingly tight Health and Safety regulations placed on all organizations regardless of size, boxing exercise should always be practiced in a safe environment which would benefit you as a parent. The benefits of placing your child in a boxing program far outweigh the risks. They also go way beyond the obvious assets of regular exercise, fitness and helping your kid to take care of themselves in this increasingly intimidating world. By taking part in boxercise kids can learn valuable boxing combinations, foot and hand speed, heavy bag workout and sparring.

Boxing for kids can be a very rewarding sport. It gives kids a sense of confidence, esteem, and, most importantly, self discipline. By submitting to a regular training schedule that’s structured and supervised, kids don’t just work out aggression, they learn perseverance and self-management. As with most things in life there is a clear correlation between hard work and noticeable results in your childs development (both physical and mental). It is also particularly effective for children that have behavioral problems. By giving them an outlet for their aggression, in a safe environment, and a strict schedule, through boxing exercise these kids learn the benefits of sportsmanship and hard work and begin to develop some self-worth and belief.

It’s true that with boxing comes the risk of slight injury, including parents main concern – brain damage, but it’s no more dangerous than other popular sports. As long as your little one has the right equipment (Everlast equipment is highly regarded in the boxing world), teachers, and environment, boxing can really help in your kid’s ongoing development.

Any coach worth his salt will always put the safety and developing sportsmanship of your child first (let’s face it if he didn’t he wouldn’t have a job!). An establishment with a good reputation and parents referrals will always be certified and insist on your child having the appropriate insurance and the proper gear before they commence their lessons. If you’re still unsure as to whether to let your child partake in boxing visit a gym to reassure yourself.

The Revival of Bare-Knuckle Boxing

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When people think of martial arts systems they think of them as Asian. They don’t think of martial arts as being European or American. Some have heard of Bare-Knuckle Boxing but don’t equate it with other martial arts. They somehow think of it as a cultural component but never thinking of it as a real, world class martial art. In fact, Bare-Knuckle Boxing was once considered one of the most effective empty hand systems in the Western world for self-defense.

When we think of Bare-Knuckle Boxing we think of a ring with rules more than an efficient street fighting system. We think of the Queensberry rules and black & white visions of fighters who stood in a strange looking, more upright, primary fighting stance. People today consider the system a rather antiquated form of boxing which has grown to become a high level sport. That is exactly what it has become; A SPORT.

There is a large gap between sport and self-defense, however. As a self-defense, today’s boxing has lost much of its street effectiveness. The Bare knuckle fighter of the past could handle himself quite well against any would-be attacker.

Early in the sport, men still used illegal techniques that they learned from their own fathers and brothers or from the street. These fighters knew how to hide illegal techniques within legal ones like the straight right hand that would slice the opponents lips to ribbons or the eye gouge hidden within a jab. These guys knew all the brutal, vicious, fight-terminating shots. In fact, before rules were in place and before today’s boxing methods were birthed in the ring, men were studying boxing as a self-defense science. The practice of bare-knuckle boxing dates back to ancient times and was unparalleled during the Renaissance where fencing science and human biomechanics were meticulously applied to the system.

European bare-knuckle boxing is an almost forgotten, yet very effective street self-defense system. It is the original form of boxing, more closely related to ancient combat systems. It involves sophisticated self-defense using fists, fingers, elbows, knees, feet and even the head.

Bare-Knuckle Boxing or Western boxing or what I call Long-Bridge Boxing at my school is our indigenous fighting system and is every bit as effective as its oriental counterparts. It makes up a large part of our martial culture. The western art of boxing has also had a huge influence on most other martial arts. One system in particular, some believe, that was greatly influenced by Western boxing is Wing Chun. A look into China’s past will tell you that Chinese practitioners had many encounters with Western boxers. They encountered a system of fighting they hadn’t seen before because they were used to fighting people of their own stature, not the taller Europeans.

These Europeans kept their heads back, with their weight on the rear leg. They punched straight and took small, shuffling steps, with a few low kicks or none at all. This was totally different from the Chinese methods as they used low horse stances, with wide, overreaching punches. Needless to say the Europeans beat many of the kung fu fighters. This is a matter of great controversy so we need not say that this is indisputable. What I submit to you is that Wing Chun would be greatly improved by incorporating certain key principles of Bare-Knuckle Boxing.

Boxing martial arts includes Traditional Boxing

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A good boxer can blend in speed, endurance, strength, and defense tactics to outfight his opponent. Here’s a fast summary of the basics of boxing as a sport.

Boxing is one of the boxing martial arts, where two people fight each other primarily with their fists. English-style boxing is a sport where the combatants are supervised by a referee, and the fight takes place over a series of rounds, with each round lasting for 3 minutes unless there is a knock out. Both boxers wear heavy gloves to protect their hands and also their opponent from getting cuts.

There are two categories of boxing: amateur and professional boxing. The best know amateur boxing takes place as part of the Olympic games and Commonwealth games. Amateur boxers wear head protection gear and the bouts are usually short usually comprising 3 rounds, with each round lasting for 3 minutes for men, while for women there are 4 rounds each lasting for 2 minutes. On the other hand, professional martial-arts boxers don’t wear head protection and bouts can be up to 12 rounds.

Rules
There are several rules in boxing. First, if a boxer is knocked down at any round and touches the canvas floor with any part of his or her body apart from the feet, as a result of opponent’s punch and not by slipping or pushing; the referee starts to count till the boxer stands up again. If the referee counts to ten then the knocked-down boxer is ruled as knocked out whether still conscious or not, and the other boxer is declared the winner. This win is called a knockout win (KO). A technical knockout win is when the referee or a fight doctor rules that an injured boxer is unable to continue fighting due to injury or is unable to defend him or herself well.

Also boxers aren’t supposed to hit below the belt, hold, trip, spit or bite their opponents. Boxers are also not allowed to kick, head butt or hit each other with other parts of the arm other than the knuckles of a closed fist. Holding the ropes for support when punching or holding an opponent while punching is also prohibited. If a boxer violates these rules, he or she may be ruled to have fouled. The referee can issue warnings, deduct points, or even disqualify the offending boxer.

Approach Strategies
Boxers use different strategies when approaching their opponents.

1) As an out-fighter: In this style the boxers master their defense and offense by maintaining a distance between him and his opponent, comes in to hit and backs off again. Most out-fighters tend to win by point decisions and they fight with rapid, long range punches.

2) The swarmer: The fighter tries to stay close to an opponent, unleashing a fury of punishment. Generally, swarmers are very aggressive and ruthless delivering good punches and taking good hits. Most swarmers are have flexible footwork and have a phenomenal speed.

3) Boxer punch: Used by sturdier boxers, they fight at close range combining technique and power, often with ability to knock out their opponents with a single strike. They employ speed and mobility tactics against their opponents wearing out the opponents and then striking a knockout punch.

4) The slugger: A slugger depends on power punches to knock the opponents out. Most sluggers are generally bigger and slower and have good chins. They are not afraid to take in a few hits, but when they throw a punch, it usually leaves overwhelming damage.

Defense Strategies
1) Slip defense is when a boxer slightly rotates his or her body so that an incoming punch passes without harm, next to the head.

2) Blocking is where a boxer uses his or her shoulders, hands or arms to defend himself against opponent’s attack.

3) Ducking is a style where the boxer drops down with the back straight in the intention that the thrown punch misses entirely.

4) Bob and weave is a boxing style in which a boxer moves the head sideways and beneath an incoming punch.

The Punches
Boxers also use different punches. The four basic punches include: uppercut, jab, cross, and hook. An uppercut punch is a vertical, rising punch, thrown with the rear hand. From the defending position, the elbow is drawn back with the knuckles pointing forward and the elbow bent. From this position the rear hand is thrown upwards in a rising curve towards the opponent. A jab punch is a quick punch which is thrown with the lead hand from the defense position. The punch throw is usually accompanied by clockwise rotation of the torso and hips, whereas the fist rotates at 90 degrees. A hook punch is a semi circular punch, which is thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponents head. A cross punch on the other hand, is a powerful, straight punch thrown with the rear hand.

Breidis Prescott vs Bayan Jargal Live Boxing Highlights

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Bayan Jargal vs Breidis Prescott Live Boxing Highlights: In their boxing match between Breidis Prescott and Bayan Jargal scheduled to play on Friday 22 April 2011. Watch Boxing Live matches at Sports Community. Earlier Amir Khan Conqueror Breidis Prescott (23-2, 19 KOs) will return to action April 22 against Mongolian Bayan Jargal (15-1-3, 10 KO’s) in a scheduled 10 round at Mohegan Sun Casino Connecticut.

Prescott, ranked # 11 by the WBA, slowly working his way the ranking has applied for title shot in the near future. In 2008, Prescott destroyed Khan in one round after knocking him down twice in a series of left hooks. Khan has not shown any interest in fighting Prescott since and the losses by Prescott to Miguel Vazquez and Kevin Mitchell have given Khan the perfect excuse for not trying to avenge his defeat. To be sure no shame in losing to fighters like Vzquez or Mitchell.

Vazquez is the current IBF lightweight champion and looking almost unbeatable at the moment. Mitchell just hit and ran all night along against Prescott, giving him few opportunities to land his shots. However, the lopsided scores in the Mitchell Prescott do not reflect the real battle that took place because it was a difficult fight to score. Prescott landed the blows much harder when Mitchell landed more pity-pat shots.

The battle took place in England and the courts in favor of Mitchell shifts based on his connection with a high rate of punch, even if his shots a lot worse than Prescott. Since the loss of Mitchell, Prescott beat Jason Davis and Harrison Cuello. Prescott needs to beat Jargal must take seriously the title shot for the future. The loss really hurt here in Prescott, the possibility for the future a shot.

Breidis Prescott vs Bayan Jargal Live Boxing Details:

Boxers: Breidis Prescott [23-2-0, 19] VS Bayan Jargal [15-1-3, 10]

Weight division: Super Lightweight (140 lbs)

Date: 22 April 2011, Friday

Location: USA, Uncasville, Mohegan Sun

More Boxing Live Scores and updates at Sports Community

Boxing Shoes _ What A Buyer Should Look For

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The most essential thing you want to find when shopping for boxing shoes is comfort. Consider all of the dancing and jumping about that comes along with the boxing sport as well as working out, and you will understand just why it is so important that the shoes you pick wont hurt your feet. They also need to contain adequate padding and not be too rigid. Everyone has different needs personally as far as what their feet require, so be sure to do some research and use your own instincts. Other requirements are safety, traction, and ventilation.

Boxing shoes should be checked for support straps and shock absorption. This is a very important part of your safety check. Look for a mid-sole that acts as a shock absorber as many shoes will have them. These prevent your joints from being shocked as well as adding more comfort. Some of the better shoes will have support straps located on the arch. The straps supply more cushion while reducing slippage.

Be sure to find boxing shoes that have plenty of ventilation for your feet. These usually come in the form of little mesh windows surrounding each shoe and allow your feet to breathe properly during a workout or boxing session. If you have wet shoes after working out, this tells you that your feet are suffocating. It is important that your shoes have proper cooling.

Another choice you will be faced with is whether you want your shoes to be high or low top. It really is not that important unless you are a kick boxer. A kick boxer will need to select shoes with high tops so the ankles and shins are protected.

Last, but not least, be sure that the traction is sufficient. This is very important considering all the moves executed while wearing boxing shoes. You need shoes that have rubber soles and an anti-slip pattern on them. You are guaranteed not to sleep while working out or boxing.