Proper equipment is a "must" in any boxing program. A capable, qualified coach would not send a boy on the football field without proper shoulder pads or headgear. Yet, I have seen high school boxers use worn out gloves and a makeshift mat with no canvas cover and I have known of boys who have not been provided with aluminum cups. This should not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Proper mouthpieces, well padded headgear and hand wraps should be available for all contestants in a boxing program. It is advisable to have high topped boxing shoes, but where money is a factor, light weight basketball shoes will suffice.

All equipment should be properly maintained, both for the safety of the boxer and it will save money in the long run as well.

In regards to the ring itself, make shift facilities are to be carefully avoided. A well padded ring enclosed properly by ropes is an absolute essential. Never permit the athletes to box where there is a chance of falling to a hard floor or against objects that might injure them.

Of course, good training starts with a proper workout. While what constitutes a proper workout has been widely contested, there are some basics that almost everybody can agree on.

A typical workout, once the boy is in good physical condition and his legs are in shape, would be the following:

First Round Shadow boxing. Loosening up. Warming the muscles. Trying all the punches.

Second, Third and Fourth Rounds Boxing, working hard and fast during the rounds. Complete relaxation between rounds.

Fifth Round Shadow boxing. Catching the wind and getting the heart back to normal rhythm and beat. Figuring out which punches worked best, which ones did not work and the reasons for their failure.

Sixth Round Punching the light punching bag. Excellent for sharpening the eyes, learning to keep the hands high and becoming adept at punching fast.

Seventh Round More punching on the light punching bag or on the heavy sand bag.

Finish up with light body exercise and dash right into the showers.

It may be seen from the preceding that I am an advocate of a short, fast workout instead of a long, dragged out one. I have always believed that a boy gets into better condition for a short three round bout by short, snappy workouts of six to seven rounds. The boys, furthermore, enjoy the shorter workouts and will work harder than if the workouts are prolonged and become monotonous. There must be no loafing from bell to bell. Maintain top speed all the way.

The proper On guard position is fundamental. I wish to stress in detail the all important stance or what we will call the "on guard" position.

All punches are thrown from the on guard position. The boxer must assume the on guard position again at the finish of each punch with all possible rapidity. This procedure is necessary for proper deception. Thus the stance must be mastered at the beginning. With all punches starting from the same stance, naturally, an opponent has difficulty guessing whether the punch will be a left jab to the head or body, a left hook to the head or body, a double left hook to the body and head or a jab followed by a hook. If the boxer changes his stance or arm positions each time he throws a different punch, his opponent will soon catch on and meet him with a counter.