I stated that the coaching job was over, as far as fundamentals are concerned, when the boys were carefully drilled in executing the left and right to the chin and body, and the left hook. I am an advocate of perfecting the simple fundamentals, using them at the right time, and then letting the opponent make the mistakes. How­ever, following are some of the most effective variations which are not difficult to master.

Left Jab—Right to the Body—Left Hook to the Jaw

Against a boxer who carries his left elbow high or extends it too far out from the body thereby leaving an opening for a right to the body, the following sequence is effective: a left jab to the jaw (Illustration 70); a right to the body (Illustration 71) under the opponent's high left, moving in at the same time to be able to follow with the left hook. Note that the puncher (dark trunks) has drawn back his left high to protect his chin and to be closer to the target. After the right to the body the opponent often drops his hands, thereby leaving an opening for the third punch, the left hook to the chin  (Illustration 72).

Against a tense or tightened-up opponent, a left feint to the body may be used (Illustration 73). The puncher (white trunks) feints to the body to draw the opponent's hands down. This is often effective at the start of the first round. This may be followed by a left hook to the chin. With the opponent's hands drawn down, the puncher (white trunks) whips across a left hook to the chin (Illustration 74).

Double Left Hook

The puncher (dark trunks) throws the left hook to the body lightly, to draw his opponent's hand down (Illustration 75). The puncher must make sure his own chin is covered with his right glove. This is followed by a left hook to the chin (Illustration 76). The puncher (dark trunks), after drawing his opponent's hands down, whips a second left hook to the chin. This variation is very effec­tive, but, again, is dangerous because of exposing the chin. A sharp right-hand counter usually does the trick against the careless body puncher.

Again, against a nervous, tense opponent, the following variation usually works: The puncher (dark trunks) feints with a left jab to draw the opponent's right glove away from his jaw (Illustration 77). This is followed by a left hook (Illustration 78). The puncher (dark trunks), after drawing out the right hand of his opponent, has a good shot at his chin with a fast left hook. The right hand is kept back and high, ready to follow up the left hook with a sharp right if the opportunity arises.

The puncher immediately follows the left hook with his right cross  (Illustration 79). This variation is often used in place of the left-right-hook, making it a left-hook-right sequence.

Many more variations might be suggested and illus­trated, but it has been my experience that giving the boys too many punch sequences tends to confuse rather than help them. The previously-mentioned variations and se­quences, along with the regular fundamentals, are sufficient for any boxer.

The Right Uppercut

I suggest spending comparatively little time on the right uppercut. Only it the opponent has his head bent down and forward, and is coming forward, is the punch effective. We once taught our Wisconsin boxers the right uppercut and worked on the punch for one week before we met a particular team. This was only because the boxers on that team were coached in a boring-in style against which the uppercut was very effective. Since those particular matches we have not been fortunate enough to meet a team whose boxers were "cousins" for right uppercuts. Consideration of left uppercuts is purposely omitted. I have never seen an effective left uppercut. I occasionally hear about them.

The puncher (dark trunks) must not tip off his uppercut (Illustration 80) by dropping his right just before he throws the punch. The uppercut is delivered by lower­ing the right on the way across and "scooping" up and to the jaw. Note the position of the hand upon contact. The puncher lands with the four knuckles of the right fist, and pivots his body as the punch is thrown in order to get the proper "kick." Note further that the left hand is drawn back and high to protect the chin.

The right uppercut to the body (Illustration 81) is sometimes effective when the opponent is coming in with hands high. Note the twist of the puncher's body; also the left hand which is back and high as a defense against the opponent's possible right-hand counter. This is a dangerous punch to throw unless the opponent is a proper target—crouching with hands held high.

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