dog-eared

Sparring: Jab cross left hook with a pivot and maybe a cross if theyre open or just back out of range if they aren't. Also jab left hook cross jab. Im tall and like to keep my distance.

Take your time. Use your legs hips and frame to drive the punch. Make sure your punch is travelling low to high and your joints are aligned to work in the direction of the punch (same principal as if you were pushing a car to get it to start). Everything above the waist is just along for the ride. Dont turn off as you hit or you lose one side of your body and half your power. Hit one or two good shots not a million patty-cake shots like in the movies. Extend punch fully when training otherwise you are conditioning youself to pull your punches. Hit things. Air punching best not to do full force or youll give yourself an injury, wall bags heavy bags, willing people all can be hit. Nb will only be able to hit a short while bare knuckle before the skin starts to split. When your knuckles are red either stop or put on hand wraps and bag/mma gloves. On heavy bag recommend hand wraps and mma gloves to protect skin and guard joints from damage.

Second Murch's post - these are excellent books. Also check out www.rossboxing.com some great material there.

If I was starting my training over again today I think I would start with a few months of either muay-thai or boxing and if possible either bjj, judo or catch-wrestling. This mix will guve you a goid understanding of striking and grappling, some exposure to sparring and rolling with opponents, an understanding of the importance of conditioning and you'll be used to taking a few shots, know how to fall and have the basics of groindwork down. This is quite a good grounding in ass-kicking and would position you well to explore and decide where to take your training. Plus you'll be fit as a bull!