FIG. 1.
FIG. 2.
The first important thing to learn in boxing is the position. Figure 1. represents what the writer considers an ideal position. The left foot should be in front, with the right foot from fifteen to eighteen inches in the rear and from six to eight inches to the right. The left hip should point nearly front. By that position the whole body can be protected from any right-hand blows by simply dropping the left arm as shown in illustration No. 2. The right arm should rest across the chest, with the glove on the left nipple, while the left arm should be held as in the illustration. In connection with the subject of position comes the management of the feet. The weight should rest equally on both feet, and in breaking ground, as movement to one side or the other is termed, or in advancing or retreating, the feet should never be raised from the ground as in walking. Advance first the front foot some six inches, and then the back foot, so as to always keep the same relative distance between them.
Always "counter" (i.e., give a return blow with the hand not used in parrying) every lead of your opponent. Remember that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points, and always lead a straight blow. It comes more natural for every one to hit "round"—i.e., swinging—blows. But a straight hard lead is the more effective. Swing, if swing you must, when countering, never when leading. Try as much as possible to avoid blows at the face by ducking.
The left hand lead, either at the face or the body, is the most important lead of all, the first taught, and by far the hardest to learn. One of the best boxers the writer has ever met was not allowed by his teacher to practise anything else for a whole year, until it was almost impossible to avoid or parry his left-hand lead or counter, so quick did he become.
FIG. 3.
Illustration No. 3 shows a left-hand lead at the face getting home. Observe the tremendous force and drive that the blow has, while the boxer can step back instantly into perfect position, and is not thrown at all off his balance, as is the case with swinging blows. The requisites of a good left-hand lead either at face or body are: