THE FUNDAMENTALS OF AMATEUR BOXING

by J. Darrell Webb
Official Judge, Referee and Member ofthe United States
American Boxing Association
compiled
on behalf of Department of Recreation and Physical Fitness
for the

Boxing is the sport of physically engaging with another opponent to score blows to
the head or body. It requires both offensive and defensive agility to land effective
blows and block those of your opponent.

Certain parts of the body are vulnerable to

blows (a): the chin, heart and solar plexus.
Ensure proper hand and body position to
guard these areas (b). Blows to the back of
the neck, over the kidneys (c) and below the
belt are illegal.
a
The key to success in boxing is to hit hard, hit
quickly and move quickly. More boxing bouts
are won with the feet than with the hands.
While a boxer must be able to punch well, it is
even more vital to keep out of an opponent's
reach and dart in with an unexpected blow.

Boxing is also a matter of tactics. Different

boxers have different styles and a boxer must
judge the best way of dealing with an opponent.
A tall fighter may have the advantages of reach
and strength but he is often too slow moving to
defend himself well at close quarters.