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Do you have any female coaches? This is a great question to ask because in our experience female coaches will give more instruction and answer ALL THE QUESTIONS you will most likely ask. Because that's how we do! 😆

Confused by some boxing terms, and why is the lingo different everywhere?

Maybe you have been to one boxing class, twenty +, or none! There are a few basic phrases that we want to help you learn so that you can talk the talk. We will build on this library for you and if you think there is something you have heard and would like to add to this list just comment below! Remember no question is a dumb question... well for the most part! 😆👊🏼

Orthodox – If you are an Orthodox fighter you are most likely right-handed so your lead food is your left and your rear foot is your right within your stance.

Southpaw – If you are a South Paw you are a leftie and your lead food is your right and your rear foot is your left in your stance. Sometimes we have found that if you are 'goofy' as a lefties stance is called in most board sports you maybe comfortable in both stances. This can also be the case of an Orthodox fighter. 

*Remember many coaches have different ways of calling out punches but these are standard.

Jab or 1 – The Jab is probably your most important punch and is executed with your lead hand. 

Power/Cross or 2 –  This is your power punch that you unleash with your rear hand and can be that knockout punch as you should be rotating your full body weight behind this punch.

Hook 3 & 4 - If you are Orthodox your 3 is your Left hook punch and your 4 is a Right hook. If you are Southpaw it is the opposite. FUN FACT: many times your 4 is another straight right/left. A very popular combination is 1-Jab 2-Power 3-Hook 4-Power. 

Uppercut 5 & 6 - Again if you are Orthodox your 5 is a left Uppercut and your 6 is your right. Swap those if you are Southpaw. FUN FACT: in real boxing you don't get many chances to throw 6 punch combinations as 1-6 but its used in more Boxing fit classes and working on your power bunching and the different ranges for the punches.

Long/Short/Mid- Range Punches: Yup this is a real thing. When you begin boxing you should really be working mostly on long range punches which are your 1-2. But as you move closer to someone you will also need to be able to throw these punches just as effectively in close range. 

Defense: 

Parry – a block that redirects the energy of a punch coming toward you. Never reach for the punch let it come to you. 

Slip – a defensive move in which your body rotates left or right (with your guard up) to move out of the way of any straight punch.

Bob & weave – a defensive move in which you squat down and then roll to the left of right depending on the punch you are trying to block. You want to move quickly in more of a V shape then a full U which is a more advanced move that you can throw punches off of.

Footwork: (Also a part of defence) 

Pendulum Step – This is where floating like a butterfly comes into play, when you are in your boxing stance and you are lightly bouncing forward and back together with both feet always in STANCE. You propel yourself with the balls of your feet allowing you to move quickly in the ring and get to where you need to be or get out of the way quickly.

Pivot – A quick change in direction off of your lead foot, you can do this off of your rear as well but that is a more advanced move.

Step & Punch - Being able to move forward using the momentum behind your movement and putting that energy behind your punch. Your punch will land at the same time your foot steps down. *More on this in a footwork blog to come.

These are a great start to building your boxing term vocabulary please comment below if you have any terms or questions you want us to answer. What terms have confused and we promise all questions will be answered, it will be helpful for everyone! xo TEAM GJWB

What do you need to get started? FOR FUN & REAL

So you have decided you would like to try boxing or continue your boxing journey and take it to the next level– what do you need?! To get started, you will need a few things….
For the GIRLS who are beginner boxers, you will need:
Handwraps - this piece of equipment will help support your wrist and knuckles when you are doing bag work. Additionally, they will also make you feel like a real boxer! There are many different ways to wrap your hands, but a short and simply way is to:
1) Start by placing the loop around your thumb

2) Cross the wrap around your wrist (approximately 2-3 times depending on your wrist support needs)

3) Cross the wrap up towards your knuckles (again approximately 2-3 times depending on your knuckle support needs)

4) Bring the handwrap back down toward the wrist as this is where you will fasten the velcro to complete your handwrap.

Gloves (also referred to as bag gloves); You will need bag gloves (10oz, 12oz and/or 14oz) for heavy bag work and touching gloves with partner drills, you need to put on a pair of gloves to help protect your hands. The weight of the glove that you should be wearing can be determined based on your height, weight, and bone structure.

Fitness shoes or boxing boots? You are certainly more than welcome to wear fitness shoes to a boxing class, but investing in a pair of boxing boots is beneficial as they are lighter so they will help you move quicker and easily change direction. Just make sure your regular gym shoes have a low sole like a free runner as you don't want to twist your ankle doing footwork in a thick soled running shoe.

Gym clothes: This boils down to personal preference of whether you wish to wear shorts, leggings, t-shirt, tank top, or a sweat suit (if you really want a good sweaty session boxer style) to really – the choice is yours! The most important attribute is that you feel comfortable!

Skipping ropes: This is optional and also may be provided at your local boxing club or box fit gym. This is a great tool that many boxers use as a warm up, but certainly not necessary to learn how to box. This is a great tool to help build endurance and stamina, which is needed for a boxing class or fight!

For those of you who want to box for REAL you will need to:

Decided to Compete: Now that you have stepped over to the For Real side, you are looking to compete in your first amateur fight – whether this be a club show or charity event OR you have already done so and you are looking to continue fighting in amateur or advance to going professional.

Protective Gear: Includes mouthpiece, headgear, jill, chest protector (optional). All of these protection pieces are used while sparring and fighting. You will need to have all of the above in order (with the exception of the chest protector which is optional, but recommended) to participate in either.
Sparring gloves: Sparring gloves (usually 16oz) must be used for sparring as these have extra padding to avoid hurting anyone. Sparring is intended for learning and growing as a fighter, not with the intention to hurt anyone.

Do you have your boxing license & boxing medical: In order to spar and compete as a boxer, these two items are required. If you are located in Ontario, you may receive all forms from Boxing Ontario: www.boxingontario.com . If you reside outside of Ontario, please contact your local boxing organization for these forms.

Be ready to start your own business. It is financially draining to compete as a boxer, work a full time job, and fuel your body properly. We are here to help! We want you to be a role model for other female boxers (For Fun and For Real). We will provide you with the tools that you will help you for sponsorship (relating to boxing gear, apparel, supplements, etc) and potentially helping you build your own GJWB classes to coach other females the sport of boxing. As part of the GJWB brand, team and community we are also available for support both personally and professionally – us girls have got to stick together! xo TEAM GJWB