The Techniques and Rules Observed by the Players during the Boxing Sport - Term Paper Example

BOXING Module Module ID: The present paper aims to elaborate the boxing sport byelucidating its various aspects on the one side, and the techniques and rules observed by the players during the sport. One of the most important reasons behind carrying out this study includes the exploration of the sports in various dimensions for the information and knowledge of the fans and lovers of playing and watching boxing. The research will define the instruments required by the boxers during the sport, along with providing an overview of the sport play and rules associated with it. Since the researcher has also been fond of playing boxing, he has selected the same sport for conducting this study. Consequently, the current research will elaborate the techniques and terms related to boxing by providing a detailed overview of the sport under-examination. 1. Introduction: 1.1 Boxing sport and its advantages: Despite the very fact that playing of different sports and games has always been a popular social phenomenon since the known history of the world, boxing has particularly been being played for recreational purposes as well as for turning the bodies tougher and harder (Murray 2007, p. 4). Wigle has declared boxing to be the perfect tool for a young person to learn commitment, discipline, accountability; it also guides the adolescents and athletes the skill of playing as an individual as well as team member under the specific competitive environment (2011, p. 2). In addition, boxing also teaches the boxer regarding his relation with self, opponent, judges and environment (Wigle 2011, p. 2). In other terms, boxing helps the player how to interact with his social, physical and natural environment. Similarly, through boxing, one learns how to defend oneself from the attacks of the opponent on the one side, and how to obtain dominant position during the sport on the other (Edwards 2010, pp. 33-34). 2. Art of Boxing: 2.1 The Fundamental Position: Haislet has defined the fundamental position of boxing, which is rightly viewed as the most favorable position that turns out to be supportive in respect of the mechanical execution of skills and techniques required in boxing (1968, p. 1). It is partly because of the fact that it provides the chances of quick reaction as well as complete relaxation to the muscles for the time being. In the same way, it also helps the boxer in developing hand-feet coordination during the play by keeping the body in balance (1968, p. 1). Since the primary aim of the boxing is hitting the opponent by maintaining one’s position and balance and escaping the hits of the opponent, fundamental position is highly admired in the boxing (Haislet 1968, p. 2). In fundamental position, one of the feet is in forward position, while the other is placed forward in attacking position, which not only supports the boxer to attack the opponent, but also helps him in maintenance of his body balance. In the same way, the arms are left upward against the chest and hands in fisted position, ready to attack as well as for defending oneself from the attack from the opponent. 3. Major Rules of Boxing: In the beginning, almost all sports, including boxing, were played in a simple way during the leisure hours; however, the growth and development of society paved the ways towards the establishment of rules and principles, adopting of which was essential for the players and athletes in general. The same is also applied to boxing along with other sports, where the experts have devised various rules while playing the sport in a professional way. The following rules have been established for the professional boxing bouts: 1. A ring is administered for the boxing sport, where two athletes participate as opponents. 2. The participants wear the padded gloves on hands, as well as headgear, jump rope, protective cup, mouthpiece and boxing shoes while fighting in the boxing ring. 3. There are few sessions of boxing called rounds, during of which is three minutes in maximum, where the number of rounds on the level of sport being played. For instance, in Olympic Games three rounds are played between the opponents; though more rounds are observed in the professional heavyweight fights, which are decided before starting of the game. 4. One of the most important rules of the boxing included the boxers’ remained engaged into continuous fighting, hitting and attacks, and in case any of the participants holds the game, he can be warned of getting declared to be loser. 5. In a boxing match, if any of the participants knocks out his opponent and the opponent does not get up before the referee counts out loud to ten he is declared as winner. 6. In case the fighters are unable to knock out their opponents, then the panel of judges is there to decide the winner and loser on the basis of the performance made by the participant boxers. 7. The boxing administration announces a short break after the completion of every round, during which the boxers are allowed to move to the corners of the ring, though they cannot leave the ring altogether. The boxers can seek pieces of advice from their coaches during the break (Gotay & Gotay, 1968). 4. Objectives of Boxing: It is a fact that every sport is played for the purpose of recreation on the one side, and for the enhancement of physical strength on the other. Hence, sport is rightly regarded to be a universal phenomenon, which is observed by a large majority of the individuals in every society and culture of the world at large (Ember & Ember 2003, p. 459). Consequently, ancient era philosophers predominantly Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others had laid stress upon the youth to get involved into physical exercises and exertions through sports and games (DeGrazia 1994, p. 13). The researches reveal that physical exercises tend to increase intelligence level among the athletes (Lynch et al. 2000). Like all other sports, boxing creates fighting spirit among the athletes, and they learn how to attack, hit and knock out the opponents in sports as well as in real life. Boxing develops the habit of patience and endurance among the players, and guide them in respect of fighting under the given rules and regulations. It also teaches the boxers how to hit the opponent without getting hit altogether (Murray 2007, p. 6). Hence, boxing communicates how to remain dauntless on the face of hardships and attacks being made by the opponent in the ring as well as in real life. 5. Psychological, Sociological and Physiological effects of Boxing: The boxing sport has many psychological, sociological and physiological impacts upon the athletes. One of the most important psychological impacts of boxing includes the athletes learns how to overcome his opponent by psychologically pressurizing him during sport as well as in practical life. The boxers also learn how to discover the weak point of the opponent, and exploit him through the same. Similarly, boxers learn how to interact with self, opponent, judges and audience by presenting excellent qualities, and hence knocking out the opponent to earn name, fame, rewards and reputation, which help them out in practical and professional life. Lastly, since boxing makes the athlete stronger, stout and harder, he physically finds himself in a better position in society in respect of overcoming the rivals in fights, bouts, rivalries and competitions. 6. Primary Punches: All the punches applied in boxing sport have been derived from the four primary punches, which include Jab, Cross, Hook and Uppercut, which have been discussed as below: 6.1 Jab: The Jab is viewed to be the most initial of the primary punches learnt by the boxers. Jab helps the boxers in establishing the technique of how to make the next punch. Being the fundamental skill, learning the Jab leads to overcoming the opponent by hitting him in such a way that may turn him blind to the next punch. Being a highly technical sport action, Jab consists of few essential elements, including the particular position of hands, chin, eyes and feet, all of which make a significant combination for the sport (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 61). One of the most important issues involved in the Jab includes accurate applying of the standard on-guard position in it, with hands up, chin down and eyes fixed on the opponent (Gotay & Gotay 2008, pp. 61-2). 6.2 Cross: The Cross is rightly regarded to be the first knockout punch taught to the novice boxers during the initial stage of learning boxing. The combination of Jab and Cross leads to turning the opponent unable of witnessing the cross coming of fist subsequently. The Cross punch plays major role in knocking out the opponent provided the boxer has developed command over maintaining his balance, along with increasing the strength of his fist while attacking on the opponent (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 64). 6.3 Hook: Hook is considered to be the third important punch the boxers are taught at the initial stages of their learning. Hook punch is delivered with the forward hand, and in case the boxer is right-handed, Hook is punched through the left hand, and vice versa (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 66). If Hook is applied with full strength, it can become the knockout blow for the opponent. One of the most distinguished characteristics of the Hook includes this that Hook can equally be hit from distance and being close to the opponent. In addition, leaning forward and dipping from the on-guard position support the boxer while hitting the Hook. Moreover, the position of ankle and torso along with the bending of arm and strength of the punch are the elements that play major role for winning the game during boxing. 6.4 Uppercut: The Uppercut is the fourth and final punch among the primary punches taught to the novice boxers during the game. Because of its technicality, it is considered to be the most aggressive primary punch that can hit the head and jaw of the opponent in a surprising way. Besides, Uppercut is equally beneficial for defending oneself from the attack. Nevertheless, on-guard position of the boxer on the one side, and the strength of the punch on the other are essential for using the uppercut. In the same way, the position of boxer’s legs and simultaneous twisting of ankle and torso can be decisive in winning the game with the help of applying the Uppercut (Gotay & Gotay 2008, pp. 69-70). 7. Materials/apparatuses/devices required in the boxing sport: 1. Hand Wraps: Hand wraps serve as the cotton-bases covers that are worn on the hands by the boxer during the sport. The hand wraps are available in different sizes and qualities for the boxers. 2. Boxing Gloves: Boxing gloves serve as the guards that protect the players during sport from hand injury. These are worn over hand-wraps by the boxers while playing boxing against the rival boxer. Hence, boxing gloves are allowed to use and for hitting the opponent during the play (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 120). 3. Bag Gloves: The third essential wrapping made by the boxers on their hands includes the bag gloves; bag gloves are applied during the bag practice in place of boxing gloves over hand-wraps. Although the professional boxers also use the bag gloves; somehow, it is mostly used by the novices and trainee boxers. 4. Headgear: As the name conveys, a headgear serves as the head covering used by the boxer for escaping head injury during the play. It is actually the helmet-like head-covering made of leather, which protects the athletes from bruises on face as well as head injuries during their fight against the opponent players (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 118). 5. Mouthpiece: Boxers also require mouthpiece during boxing; it is actually a cover that is worn over the lips, where it protects chin and lips of the boxers. 6. Boxing Shoes: Boxing shoes are the joggers worn by the boxers during the sport. These are especially prepared for the boxers to be used during boxing. 7. Jump Rope: Identical with other sports apparels and equipment, the boxers also need jump rope, which turns out to be supportive in the enhancement of their cardiovascular stamina. Different jump ropes are available in the market, which carry handles and ball-bearing swivels (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 119). 8. Protective Cup: Protective cup is one of the most essential parts of boxing uniform observed by the athletes, where it is applied for the protection of groins from injuries; it also guards the lower part of the players during the sport. 9. Gym Bag: Gym bag simply stands for the boxing sport kit, which consists of boxing gloves, protective cup, jump rope, headgear and shoes (Gotay & Gotay 2008, p. 120). References Al Gotay, Ma Mps, & Al Gotay. (2008) Boxing Basics: The Techniques and Knowledge Needed to Excel in the Sport of Boxing. New York: Outskirts Press Inc. Pp. 1-122 DeGrazia, Sebastian. (1994). Of Time, Work & Leisure. New York: Vintage Books. Edwards, William. (2010). Art of Boxing and Science of Self-defense: Together with a Manual of Training. London: Excelsior, Princeton University,1888 Digitized 2010. Haislet, Edwin L. (1968). BOXING. New York: The Ronald Press Company Murray, (2007). Wigle, Chadrick. (2011). “Boxing Science Skills Book: A Reference Guide for Boxing Beginners.” Smashwords Edition pp. 1-39 Retrieved from Read More