Not Too Cool For the Pool

Hello everyone. I have had a few people ask me about my pool training. In this entry I would like to share some of the exercises I do in the water. These are good for everyone, not just boxers.
Before I go into that, I have a sparring update.

I have been doing a lot of sparring lately, sometimes three times a week.
A couple of weeks ago, I was nailed really good in the left kidney.
I sparred again a couple days later, and once again, I was nailed in the same place.
My last sparring session on Thursday, I was once again popped in the kidney.
I have to say it is pretty sore there now. I have a huge bruise there that is not really getting a chance to heal.
Do you see a trend here?

I am wondering at what point I will clue in and remember to defend down there.
The problem is the other boxers are noticing that, and taking advantage.
On Thursday, I thought I would get smart and where my groin protector, which I really should always be wearing anyway, but I thought it would help protect my kidney. Well, no. It is a groin protector. It does not come around that far, so I found out. Do they make kidney protectors?

I have done some research, and found out that kidney damage is very serious. However, I also found out that kidney damage is highly unlikely to occur from impact. There is a large group of muscles in front that protect the kidneys, but those muscles can be damaged from impact, as from a fist. That explains the pain and huge bruise.

One good thing happened, I fixed the problem with my head being too low. Now I have to fix the problem with my defense not being low enough.

Now on to the topic of training. It may not help my defense, but it does help keep me in shape: Water training.

I try to do training in the pool for 45 minutes to an hour at least once a week, and I also go when I can't make it to the gym.
Now that my landlord has finally fixed the pool heater, I can do these without feeling like I am standing in an ice cube tray.

Here are some of the things that can be done in water, other than swimming, to help keep in shape:

Walking: Taking heavy steps around the inside edge of the pool is great for your upper legs. I usually go around ten times in each directing, ensuring there is enough resistance to feel it in my legs.

Bicycles: Hold onto the deck and let your legs come up to just below the surface. Then do bicycles just under the water. This is good for your legs and biceps, as you attempt to hold yourself from falling in. I generally do five sets of 20.

Stationary paddle: Stand with your back against the edge of the pool. Stretch out both arms to also touch the edge, with palms facing into the pool. Bring your hands together just under the surface, while keeping your arms straight. Once your hands touch, flip your palms outward, and push the water back towards the deck. This is good for your arms and upper body, provided that you make sure there is enough resistance. I usually do five sets of 40.

Walk back/swim forward: From one side of the pool, forcefully walk backwards to the other side, then swim back. I generally do this ten times.

I hope these help, and give them a try.

That's all for now.
Oh, and the last time I checked, I dropped another kilogram.

Paul "The Brick" Brec,
Stockyards Boxing Team, Masters Novice Division, Heavyweight (89 kg)

Does Your Head Hang Low ???

...mine apparently does.

After my last few sparring sessions, I have been told that at some times my head is too low. I have been told this by other boxers, but I find it interesting that my coaches have not noticed

I am an "Outside" boxer, that is I like to keep distance between myself and my opponent. I will step in to attack, and then step back to defend.
There are some cases when I step in, I drop my head.
I have been told this by more than one sparring partner. After being informed of this, I realized it myself.
the thing is, I don't do it all the time.

This is very serious, because it is a foul. This goes beyond poor-quality boxing, it is a violation of the rules.
One I am competing, and I do that, it could mean a disqualification.
This is something that I am now going to have to be conscious of. I will need to focus on when and why I am doing this, and really take it seriously.
A disqualification is the worst way to loose in any sport, and  a disqualification on a boxer's record is very bad. Too many could result in a suspension from the sport. Besides, it just looks bad.
I am a firm believer that if you are going to take that time to participate in a sport, you could at least follow the rules. Yeah, "Brick", follow the freaking rules.

Now that my defense is getting better, I can now focus on this problem.

We had a short soft-sparring session on Tuesday. I found that I was blocking about 85% of the attacks. That is pretty good, considering some of these guys are half my age.

In other boxing news, we had a great night of boxing at Stockyards on Friday. For those who could not come out, you can catch all the bouts on Rogers TV, Cable 10 and in Hi-Def on Cable 510, this Friday evening at 7:30.

That is all for this report.


Paul "The Brick" Brec,
Stockyards Boxing Team, Masters Novice Heavyweight Division (90 kg)

""Keep your hands up, and your head down!""

Getting Back To the "Ropes"

"The Brick" is back!

Yes, it has been a while since I have posted here. I have been away in Montreal, and I did do some training while I was there. The hotel let me shadow box in the basement.
I, unfortunately could not find a decent gym in Montreal that would let me train for just a few days.

I am also happy to announce that I have lost some weight. I am on my way out of the Heavyweight division. In the past 3 weeks, I have dropped from 92 kg to 90 kg. My goal is to get to 83 kg, which would put me into the Light-Heavyweight division (I think, I will have to verify with Coach).

I have had two sparring sessions since coming back from Montreal.
I have to say that I am seeing some improvement, especially with defense.  I have been finding that I am now blocking a lot more attacks than ever before.

One of the guys I sparred this week was a guy who was new to boxing, so I made the mistake of underestimating him. One mistake you can make in any sport is to underestimate your opponent.
He was a small guy. For those who may not know, boxing is one of those sports where smaller guys have an advantage. A small guy is more agile and can move quicker.
This guy ran circles around me. Zoom...zoom....zoom....Where the hell did he go? Then he would snap out a jab, and nail me from out of nowhere. Oh, there he is...???
Overall, my sparring is getting much better.

My coaches are also seeing some improvement. I know there is still some work. I will keep at it. My goal is still to start competition boxing by this summer. At the rate I am going, I don't see that as impossible.

A reminder, this Friday February 10, Stockyards will be hosting another night of boxing. Please come out and join us at 215 Ryding Avenue at 8:00 PM.
Rogers TV will be there to cover the even as well, and I will be on the crew as a camera operator. That means, I will not be able to get my own video of the event. I'm a good camera operator, but not that good!

That is all for this report. I will be back to doing regular blogs again.

Paul "The Brick" Brec
Stockyards Boxing Team, Masters Novice Heavyweight Division (90 kg)