Relax

If you were to ask me the word I use most in the gym — it's 'relax'. Relaxation is crucial to all boxers. Relaxing your muscles and mastering your breathing is the foundation of good boxing.

Accomplished boxers punch with their feet. They generate power from the legs and hips. Keeping upper body muscles relaxed allows that power a smooth path to the target. This also translates to movement, agility and reflexes. If you are tense, nothing flows. Tense, taut muscles take longer to respond to stimuli. This affects your ability to evade punches and launch your own counters.

Relaxation conserves energy. Rigid muscles torch the aerobic and anaerobic reservoirs. This brings on fatigue and impaired performance sooner than it should. Tension also has a marked impact on mental acuity.  When relaxed, you're able to think clearly. Concentration becomes easier. This leads to better decision-making and improved ring craft. 

Compare the demeanours of Muhammad Ali and Ernie Terrell in the famous 'What's my name' fight. Terrell is tense, throwing staccato punches. His shoulders and arms are almost rigid. Ali is completely relaxed, throwing smooth, vicious combinations.

Ali keeps Terrell under constant pressure, wearing him down. He triggers him with constant feints, then punishes with languid, lancing punches.

Watch how Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao made his way to the ring. He smiled, laughed and touched gloves with the audience. This is an athlete relaxed and completely in tune with his body and senses.

Of course, it's easier to do when you are multiple-weight boxing genius, or Muhammad Ali. But the premise carries over to all levels to some degree.

As a coach, I invest a lot of time getting my boxers to relax, through drills and visualisation techniques. Relaxation is a load bearing wall in the boxers I help to develop. 

So, for those of a certain vintage — listen to what Frankie Says, and relax. Enjoy your boxing wherever you practice it.