SECRET WAYS OF HONING STREET BOXING SKILLS

Here are some non-traditional and rarely heard of techniques by which street boxing skills
could be improved considerably. Some are taken from ancient secrets of masters who used them
not only for training, but also for warfare.

1. The Secret Power of Your Achilles Tendon
Jumping sports like basketball, volleyball, high jump, diving, etc., and sports that need
your toes to have a firm grip of the ground, like sprints, boxing, relay runs, gymnastics, and the
likes, all require training that strengthens the legs and forelegs. These are views held
traditionally. Yet, experts have found out through modern kinetics that what need strengthening
– more than legs and forelegs do – are our Achilles tendons. These are the ligaments found
directly behind our ankles. When you make a jump, the link between the take off from your heels
and toes, and your forelegs and legs, is that narrow, vertical tendon behind your ankles. It is
between your heel and your calf muscles. That is what really needs strengthening more than
anything else, especially if you want to jump really high or get a real firm grip of the ground
through your feet for increasing your punching power which is essential training for boxing for the street. Mere leg and foreleg exercises, like squatting with weights or running, will not develop your high jump and firm foot grip. They will make you stand firmly and give you shapely legs, but not the needed athletic prowess. Here are some ways to strengthen the Achilles tendons:

a. Do squats with your barbell by standing on tiptoe or on the balls of your feet.
Better yet, do these squats by standing on a firm edge (of a stair, for instance) on
tiptoe, with your heels suspended or off the stair. Be sure to have a weight spotter
(one who assists you in your weight training).

b. Stand, feet apart just right. Then jog sideways in place, on tiptoe (always),
putting your whole weight on the sole of your foot on the ground. When you are
on the sole of your left foot, tilt your body slightly to your right and raise your
right leg behind you. Then swiftly shift to the sole of your right foot, careful never to let your heel touch the ground, and tilt your body a little to the opposite direction. Your left leg raised behind you. Do this motion smoothly and try to gain speed and increase the distance between where your feet land and the tilt of your body. Keep your arms steady to your sides and your hands clipped in front your chest—like in a running position. At first, try this for a minute or two without stopping. Then increase span of time. This is also an excellent boxing exercise.

c. Rotate your ankles. While standing, keep your left foot on tiptoe (Or raise your
left heel. Keep the ball of your left foot on the floor), and from that center, rotate
your ankle and heel. This action will make your heel go round in circles, up and
down. As you lower and raise your heel (without touching the ground), press the
left portion of your body weight against the ball of your left foot. Do the same
with your right foot.

d. Jog and sprint on tiptoe.
Other sports that can benefit from this are Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, wrestling, boxing,
football, soccer, and baseball or softball (especially in pitching).