I haven't watched the kungfu man's video yet, just the one with your old sparring partner. It took me a good while to DL the first one, I'll try and get some feedback for the second one tomorrow after I leave my internet running overnight for the second
couple quick things:
-Very well centered - nice wide, balanced stance and guard. You’re playing off of your back foot in spots very nicely. At around 1:25, you angle off really well! As soon as you right yourself from the cut off, step in with a counter as they turn to you, it’s a money shot 100% of the time
-Occasionally some trouble with arm punching. You seem hesitant at times to fully extend the 2 and the jab. I had trouble with my right hand, too, and you should focus on really ripping your lead shoulder back to maximize torso rotation (all as a consequence of your driving off of the back foot) and extend that shoulder out there. The jab, too, is used often to paw, and you doubled up well in spots, but try mixing in some stiff ones, too, to keep your opponent honest and more importantly to keep him guessing. Remember, drive off of the back foot, pop your lead hip forward (clockwise as an orthodox fighter – imagine trying to whip your butt cheek around almost to face your opponent), which initiates the torso turn and shoulder jerk into the jab. Your jab is very straight and quick, not telegraphed, and so it has good potential to be used as a punch to command respect rather than just a range-finding pawing throw-away punch
-Great to see some body work! The guy has a very high and wide guard, and is open for a 1-2b or just a stiff body jab ALL DAY! Also, you don’t commit to your body punches often, here. Whether that is a result of light sparring or because you didn’t think you had the range, I’m not sure, but either way, you have to really steel yourself and commit to them to mount an effective body attack. It’s very much like shooting for a takedown – if you hesitate, you’re toast. No pulling punches (connect-wise, not power-wise… god help the man you don’t pull your punches for power-wise…
allowed in body punching! Also, you throw a sweeping horizontal hook to the body. This can be very effect, and can really shake up the floating ribs, but to maximize damage and effect, try to throw it almost like a rising “shovel punch” (half hook/half uppercut), that, from the hips, travels upwards at a diagonal (ideal target being just behind the opp’s right nipple, but throw it like you’re trying to hit his left collar/shoulder THROUGH this side of his body)
-Lastly, look to add a little more head movement. I’m currently transitioning from a very upright “European” style (heavy parrying, countering, straight punches, and blocking) to a more mixed style (utilizing more slick head movement), so I know it’s tough. One thing I found to help tremendously with slips is to have your head already in motion. It’s much easier to evade a punch when your head is already moving. It doesn’t have to be a drastic motion, just a subtle rhythm that you can maintain without thought. Practice this infront of the mirror, and incorporate it into your shadowboxing, bagwork, etc etc, working slips, bobs and weaves off of it
Overall, much MUCH improved man. You’re coming along in a hurry, and your stance/guard have improved by leaps and bounds. Your movement is great, especially for a heavy guy, and you’re controlling the range well with that nimble footwork. Once we get you following through and committing to your punches, you’ll be a force.
C Beeby, can you elaborate on the stance thing? I got up and tried the "front foot heel aligned with rear foot toe" thing and it felt pretty uncomfortable, but this is probably because I'm used to a wider stance from a boxing background?
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