how long to drop habits when starting to learn boxing...?

[deh707]

think back to your first day of learning boxing in the gym.

how long did it take for you to drop the "arm punching" habit?(where you only use your arms to punch, ignoring the foot/leg/hip/shoulder techniqe) (for shadowboxing, heavybag, mitts, sparring, etc, everything)

which punch did you find was the most difficult to drop the arm punching habit?

the jab?

[GrizzleBoy]

Depends how long you've been developing the habits for. I started learning to box by myself by reading an absolute crapload of stuff over half a year before i stepped into the ring (only took so long because i chose the silly time of wanting to start at the end of the boxing season when the gyms shut down).

I used to do taekwondo when i was younger and boy i used to throw about a million arm punches a second (trying to emulate my dragonball z idols BAHAHAHAHAHHA), and people couldn't keep up but only because they focused on kicking more than striking in that martial art.

When i started learning by myself i disregarded everything i knew about punching and made sure that the first time i threw the punch it was right, and if it wasn't I kept doing it and doing it till it was.

The most difficult punch for me was the left hook because my left hand was weak and it felt to wrong but after maybe a month or two it was one of my strongest punches.

I practiced (and still practice) my jab every chance i could, even though my coach says i good a very good jab i know i can make it even better.

The time it takes to lose your habits really depends on the amount of time you spent building them. Luckily for me i had a good few years between taekwondo and boxing to forget my years of arm punching habits.

[fraidycat]

think back to your first day of learning boxing in the gym.

how long did it take for you to drop the "arm punching" habit?(where you only use your arms to punch, ignoring the foot/leg/hip/shoulder techniqe) (for shadowboxing, heavybag, mitts, sparring, etc, everything)

which punch did you find was the most difficult to drop the arm punching habit?

the jab?

At my gym the coaches and trainers don't even move you off the jab until you've spent a month or so JUST throwing the jab. When you can consistently throw the jab correctly under pressure (sparring), then they move you to the cross, and then the hook. I would recommend this approach for anybody learning to box; the jab is the foundation of your arsenal.

The uppercut was the hardest for me to learn to throw as a full-body punch. I found it very awkward at first.

[deh707]

At my gym the coaches and trainers don't even move you off the jab until you've spent a month or so JUST throwing the jab. When you can consistently throw the jab correctly under pressure (sparring), then they move you to the cross, and then the hook. I would recommend this approach for anybody learning to box; the jab is the foundation of your arsenal.

The uppercut was the hardest for me to learn to throw as a full-body punch. I found it very awkward at first.

that sounds like a great way to start off. where is this gym?

[Verstyle]

My only huge habit is not turning my hips and putting my weight behind my punches. I hurt and knock ppl down with arm punches. I guess thats good in a way.

[fraidycat]

that sounds like a great way to start off. where is this gym?

My gym is in Seattle.

[TheWolf]

I was a grappler before turning to boxing. Getting rid of the habits was hard.

The best way was to drill the correct motions, and actually wrap your mind around the mechanics. You are trying to transfer all that strength in your legs and back to your fist.

After hours of drilling something that seems very awkward, you will slowly get used to it, and what used to seem awkward will feel dead right.

[j]

how long did it take for you to drop the "arm punching" habit?(where you only use your arms to punch, ignoring the foot/leg/hip/shoulder techniqe)

i wonder how many people have actually dropped "arm punching" completely. seriously, for most people, it takes nothing less than a few years with a good teacher to even gain a bit of "body punching." it really depends on how deep you take it. the deeper you go, the more power you squeeze out.

now, can you use a body punch while maintaining both your balance and the ability to punch again instantly whithout any extra motion?

[Count Patron]

You'll drop some bad habits pretty quickly in heavy bag work... it's translating it into the ring that is the problem for most. You'll have so many nerves going that you'll forget to breathe, drop your hands while you punch, not step into your jab, etc. It probably took me a good 4-5 fights before I was relaxed and able to think about what I was doing effectively.

[short_hook]

I think dropping your bad habits is a tough job. But I think it depends on how long you perform those habits.