Punches
JAB: The Jab is the MOST IMPORTANT PUNCH in a Boxers arsenal. If there is one punch that a Boxer could win a fight with by using that punch alone, it is the jab. When using the jab , the Boxer needs to have his
Jab
knees bent and chin down. The jab must come directly from the 'ready' position. Make sure you twist your arm in a cork - screw like motion just before impact. That is what will give you the SNAP you will need for a good punch. Try and feel your shoulder being thrust into the punch. Imagine a towel when you were a kid at the Pool and you used to 'whip it' at your friends ! The jab is just like that towel :)
HOOK : In my opinion, Felix Trinidad has one of the best hooks ever. He executes it with precision and speed that is among the best in the history of the game. Many fighters tend to really' load up' with their hooks, but the short, fast and direct hook that Trinidad
Hook
throws unquestionably gets the most effective results. In my opinion, the best time to throw the hook is when it follows your right cross ( as in the traditional combination of jab, right hand, left hook ). Throwing the right hand will and SHOULD put you in perfect position to let the left hook go.
STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND : When you throw your straight right, it should generally come right after the left jab is thrown. The punch , as with all punches , should not be telegraphed. The right hand should come from your face, right
Cross
by your chin where your right hand should be when you are in your ' ready stance'. It should be thrown directly from your face to your opponents face. The quickest and most direct way to get from one point to the next is in a straight line. I try to imagine that when I throw my jab , that my jab has traveled down a corridor. When you bring your jab back and let the right hand go it should travel down that same ' corridor'. I think Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns is a very good example of someone who throws a very well executed right hand.
UPPERCUT : The uppercut is one of the most dangerous punches in Boxing. When thrown as a part of a multi-punch combination it can have very good effect. Not many fighters consistently throw uppercuts so, because of that, most fighters do
Uppercut
not practice avoiding them very often. The punch is good when thrown at a variety of times, but I think after throwing a good left jab it is good to follow up with the right uppercut. The uppercut should usually be thrown during the course of 'in-fighting' , when you are close to your opponent. Throwing the uppercut from too far away leaves you in a position to be countered much more easily. Throwing the left jab sets up the uppercut very well. You should throw the uppercut in a way that allows you, upon completion of the punch, to be in a position to follow with a left hook afterwards. Mike Tyson is someone , among others, that has a very effective uppercut
COMBINATIONS : My own personal theory of combination punching is this - A Boxer should be able to , theoretically, throw a thousand punches in succession without losing balance. The reason being is that every single punch in a Boxers arsenal , when thrown properly, should leave the Boxer in a position where he can and will be able to throw another punch. For example, when you throw a left jab you should automatically be in a position to throw a straight right. When you finish with the right hand, you be in a position to throw a left hook, etc etc. If you throw a right hand, or any other punch , and you are off balance and NOT in a position to throw another punch afterwards and you find that you have to re-plant your foot to throw another punch then you DID NOT throw that punch properly. Roy Jones, Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather are three Boxers that have the ability to throw very good Combinations.
TO SUM UP ' PUNCHING' : The game of Boxing requires that you be able to move well, slip punches, keep your hands up, be tough , etc etc. BUT the main thing , above all else , to win a fight you must THROW PUNCHES. In my opinion you should start by learning how to throw the left jab ( or right jab if you are a Southpaw). It is Human Nature to want to get started by throwing hooks and crosses and other ' Big punches' . But if you are serious about becoming a ' real Boxer' and want to develop real skills that will maybe take you to a higher level then you MUST concentrate on perfecting your left jab first. Even if it takes you MONTHS to do, you must have your coaches work with you on your jab until you can win rounds with ONLY that punch if need be.
BREATHING : The MAIN THING to remember when you are Boxing is to breathe through your NOSE and not your mouth. When you open your mouth too much and try to Breathe like that, it leaves you more susceptible to having your jaw injured. Be relaxed in there and you will not get as tired as you will if you are tight and nervous.
CIRCLING YOUR OPPONENT : In my opinion, a Boxer must be able to ' Box' and ' Fight'. If an opponent wants to be ' rough' with you, then you need to be able to 'box' so that you can neutralize his offense. If he wants to Box you, then you need to have the aggression and the skills to take him out of his Boxing mode. You should never stand directly in front of your opponent for more than a few seconds at a time. You should constantly be in a position where you can circle to the left or right every few seconds so that you do not give your opponent the chance to ' set up' . The longer you stay in one spot, the easier it is for your opponent to size you up and get off good punches on you.
Training : I recommend that a Boxer train Monday - Friday and take it easy on the weekend. The only thing you may need to do each weekend is keep up on your push-ups , sit-ups and jogging. During the week, it is usual for Boxers
to be in the Gym each day for about two hours. Each day of training should include Stretching, exercises , shadow-Boxing, skipping rope, punching the heavy bag and , on some days, sparring with other Boxers. Each Coach has his
or her methods of coaching you, but ALL Boxers should be in the Gym as often as they can during the week. Repetition is the KEY in becoming a good fighter. All your punches and footwork, etc. must be practiced very often and with great desire to perfect them.
Nutrition : Nutrition is EXTREMELY important to a Boxer. Each person differs in some cases but I can tell you to get the most out of your conditioning it would benefit a serious Boxer to avoid the following : Fried Foods, Butter, Soda, Cakes and Cookies, Ice Cream , Candy , Syrups and Dressing and most foods that contain a lot of Fat and are high in calories. Water, even more so that Gatorade, is the best fluid to take in. Steaks and Chicken with the majority of the fat cut off and cooked either by Broiling or Baking are very good. The key is to eat enough so that you can still be strong. NEVER FORGET , even when you are trying to cut weight, that without eating enough food you cannot be at peak strength. If you are forced to not eat for more than a day just so you can make weight for a match then you should more than likely not be Boxing at that weight. Try and stay away from fatty foods, Sugary food and JUNK FOOD. Drink a lot of Water and / or Gatorade ( at least a Gallon a day)
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Defense
* Slip - Slipping rotates the body slightly so that an incoming punch passes harmlessly next to the head. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer sharply rotates the hips and shoulders. This turns the chin sideways and allows the punch to "slip" past.
* Bob and Weave - Bobbing moves the head laterally and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Once the punch has been evaded, the boxer "weaves" back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm. To move outside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the outside". To move inside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the inside".
* Parry/Block - Parrying or blocking uses the boxer's hands as defensive tools to deflect incoming attacks. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer delivers a sharp, lateral, open-handed blow to the opponent's wrist or forearm, redirecting the punch.
* The Cover-Up - Covering up is the last opportunity to avoid an incoming strike to an unprotected face or body. Generally speaking, the hands are held high to protect the head and chin and the forearms are tucked against the torso to impede body shots. When protecting the body, the boxer rotates the hips and lets incoming punches "roll" off the guard. To protect the head, the boxer presses both fists against the front of the face with the forearms parallel and facing outwards. This type of guard is weak against attacks from below.
* The Clinch - Clinching is a rough form of grappling and occurs when the distance between both fighters has closed and straight punches cannot be employed. In this situation, the boxer attempts to hold or "tie up" the opponent's hands so he is unable to throw hooks or uppercuts. To perform a clinch, the boxer loops both hands around the outside of the opponent's shoulders, scooping back under the forearms to grasp the opponent's arms tightly against his own body. In this position, the opponent's arms are pinned and cannot be used to attack. Clinching is a temporary match state and is quickly dissipated by the referee.
There are 3 main defensive positions (guards or styles) used in boxing:
- All fighters have the own variations to these styles. Some fighters may have their guard higher for more head protection while others have their guard lower to provide better protection against body punches. Many fighters don't strictly use a single position, but rather adapt to the situation when choosing a certain position to protect them.
* Peek-a-boo - Sometimes known as the "earmuffs". This is the most common defensive style. The hands are placed next to each other in front of the face(like mentioned before fighters tend to vary the exact positioning in which they use it) and elbows are brought in tight to the body(this position can be achieved by bringing the elbows as close together while not straining yourself to do so). This defensive style is what a boxer is taught to do when they begin to box, after they gain experience they can decide to change or vary their guard. This style is middle of the road style in terms of counterpunching and damage reduction. A boxer can counter punch from this stance, but it is difficult, however, there have been boxers who can do this very well. This defense covers up a fighter well, but there are holes. Hooks do damage by going around the hands and by hitting just behind the elbows. Winky Wright uses this style very well from a damage reduction stand point.
* Cross-armed - The forearms are placed on top of each other horizontally in front of the face with the glove of one arm being on the top of the elbow of the other arm. This style is greatly varied when the back hand (right for an orthodox fighter and left for a southpaw) rises vertically. This style is the most effective for reducing head damage. The only head punch that a fighter is susceptible to is a jab to the top of the head. The body is open, but most fighters who use this style bend and lean to protect the body, but while upright and unaltered the body is there to be hit. This position is very difficult to counterpunch from, but virtually eliminates all head damage.
* Philly Shell or Crab - The lead arm (left for an orthodox fighter and right for a southpaw) is placed across the torso usually somewhere in between the belly button and chest and the lead hand rests on the opposite side of the fighter's torso. The back hand is placed on the side of the face (right side for orthodox fighters and left side for southpaws). The lead shoulder is brought in tight against the side of the face (left side for orthodox fighters and right side for southpaws). This style is used by fighters who like to counterpunch. To execute this guard a fighter must be very athletic and experienced. This style is so effective for counterpunching because it allows fighters to slip punches by rotating and dipping their upper body and causing blows to glance of the fighter. After the punch glances off the fighters back hand is in perfect position to hit their out of positioned opponent. The shoulder lean is used in this stance. To execute the shoulder lean a fighter rotates and ducks (to the right for orthodox fighters and to the left for southpaws) when their opponents punch is coming towards them and then rotates back towards their opponent while their opponent is bringing their hand back. The fighter will throw a punch with their back hand as they are rotating towards their undefended opponent. James Toney executes the shoulder lean perfectly according to technique. The weakness to this style is that when a fighter is stationary and not rotating they are open to be hit so a fighter must be athletic and well conditioned to effectively execute this style. To beat this style fighters like to jab their opponents shoulder causing the shoulder and arm to be in pain and to demobilize that arm.
* Bob and Weave - Bobbing moves the head laterally and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Once the punch has been evaded, the boxer "weaves" back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm. To move outside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the outside". To move inside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the inside".
* Parry/Block - Parrying or blocking uses the boxer's hands as defensive tools to deflect incoming attacks. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer delivers a sharp, lateral, open-handed blow to the opponent's wrist or forearm, redirecting the punch.
* The Cover-Up - Covering up is the last opportunity to avoid an incoming strike to an unprotected face or body. Generally speaking, the hands are held high to protect the head and chin and the forearms are tucked against the torso to impede body shots. When protecting the body, the boxer rotates the hips and lets incoming punches "roll" off the guard. To protect the head, the boxer presses both fists against the front of the face with the forearms parallel and facing outwards. This type of guard is weak against attacks from below.
* The Clinch - Clinching is a rough form of grappling and occurs when the distance between both fighters has closed and straight punches cannot be employed. In this situation, the boxer attempts to hold or "tie up" the opponent's hands so he is unable to throw hooks or uppercuts. To perform a clinch, the boxer loops both hands around the outside of the opponent's shoulders, scooping back under the forearms to grasp the opponent's arms tightly against his own body. In this position, the opponent's arms are pinned and cannot be used to attack. Clinching is a temporary match state and is quickly dissipated by the referee.
There are 3 main defensive positions (guards or styles) used in boxing:
- All fighters have the own variations to these styles. Some fighters may have their guard higher for more head protection while others have their guard lower to provide better protection against body punches. Many fighters don't strictly use a single position, but rather adapt to the situation when choosing a certain position to protect them.
* Peek-a-boo - Sometimes known as the "earmuffs". This is the most common defensive style. The hands are placed next to each other in front of the face(like mentioned before fighters tend to vary the exact positioning in which they use it) and elbows are brought in tight to the body(this position can be achieved by bringing the elbows as close together while not straining yourself to do so). This defensive style is what a boxer is taught to do when they begin to box, after they gain experience they can decide to change or vary their guard. This style is middle of the road style in terms of counterpunching and damage reduction. A boxer can counter punch from this stance, but it is difficult, however, there have been boxers who can do this very well. This defense covers up a fighter well, but there are holes. Hooks do damage by going around the hands and by hitting just behind the elbows. Winky Wright uses this style very well from a damage reduction stand point.
* Cross-armed - The forearms are placed on top of each other horizontally in front of the face with the glove of one arm being on the top of the elbow of the other arm. This style is greatly varied when the back hand (right for an orthodox fighter and left for a southpaw) rises vertically. This style is the most effective for reducing head damage. The only head punch that a fighter is susceptible to is a jab to the top of the head. The body is open, but most fighters who use this style bend and lean to protect the body, but while upright and unaltered the body is there to be hit. This position is very difficult to counterpunch from, but virtually eliminates all head damage.
* Philly Shell or Crab - The lead arm (left for an orthodox fighter and right for a southpaw) is placed across the torso usually somewhere in between the belly button and chest and the lead hand rests on the opposite side of the fighter's torso. The back hand is placed on the side of the face (right side for orthodox fighters and left side for southpaws). The lead shoulder is brought in tight against the side of the face (left side for orthodox fighters and right side for southpaws). This style is used by fighters who like to counterpunch. To execute this guard a fighter must be very athletic and experienced. This style is so effective for counterpunching because it allows fighters to slip punches by rotating and dipping their upper body and causing blows to glance of the fighter. After the punch glances off the fighters back hand is in perfect position to hit their out of positioned opponent. The shoulder lean is used in this stance. To execute the shoulder lean a fighter rotates and ducks (to the right for orthodox fighters and to the left for southpaws) when their opponents punch is coming towards them and then rotates back towards their opponent while their opponent is bringing their hand back. The fighter will throw a punch with their back hand as they are rotating towards their undefended opponent. James Toney executes the shoulder lean perfectly according to technique. The weakness to this style is that when a fighter is stationary and not rotating they are open to be hit so a fighter must be athletic and well conditioned to effectively execute this style. To beat this style fighters like to jab their opponents shoulder causing the shoulder and arm to be in pain and to demobilize that arm.
Technique
Modern Boxing Technique
The following stance applies for a right-handed boxer. The boxer stands with the legs shoulder-width apart with the right foot a half-step behind the left foot. The left (lead) fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The right (rear) fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw which commonly cause knock-outs. Modern boxers can sometimes be seen "tapping" their cheeks or foreheads with their fists in order to remind themselves to keep their hands up (which becomes difficult during long bouts). Modern boxers are taught to "push off" with their feet in order to move effectively. Forward motion involves lifting the lead leg and pushing with the rear leg. Rearward motion involves lifting the rear leg and pushing with the lead leg. During lateral motion the leg in the direction of the movement moves first while the opposite leg provides the force needed to move the body.
Punches
There are four basic punches in boxing: the Jab, Cross, Hook and Uppercut. If a boxer is right-handed, his left hand is the lead hand, his right hand is the rear hand. The following techniques apply to a right-handed boxer. A right-handed boxer's handedness is commonly described as orthodox. A left-handed boxer is called an unorthodox boxer or a Southpaw.
* Jab - A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab is accompanied by a small, clockwise rotation of the torso and hips, while the fist rotates 90 degrees, becoming horizontal upon impact. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder is brought up to guard the chin. The rear hand remains next to the face to guard the jaw. After making contact with the target, the lead hand is retracted quickly to resume a guard position in front of the face. The jab is the most important punch in a boxer's arsenal because it provides a fair amount of its own cover and it leaves the least amount of space for a counterpunch from the opponent. It has the longest reach of any punch and does not require commitment or large weight transfers. Due to its relatively weak power, the jab is often used as a tool to gauge distances, probe an opponent's defenses, and set up heavier, more powerful punches. A half-step may be added, moving the entire body into the punch, for additional power.
* Cross - A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin, crossing the body and traveling towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated anti-clockwise as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot, resulting in the rear heel turning outwards as it acts as a fulcrum for the transfer of weight. Body rotation and the sudden weight transfer is what gives the cross its power. Like the jab, a half-step forward may be added. After the cross is thrown, the hand is retracted quickly and the guard position resumed. It can be used to counterpunch a jab, aiming for the opponent's head (or a counter to a cross aimed at the body) or to set up a hook. The cross can also follow a jab, creating the classic "one-two combo." The cross is also called a "straight" or "right."
* Hook - A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots clockwise, turning the left heel outwards. Upon contact, the hook's circular path ends abruptly and the lead hand is pulled quickly back into the guard position. A hook may also target the lower body (the classic Mexican hook to the liver) and this technique is sometimes called the "rip" to distinguish it from the conventional hook to the head. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand.
* Uppercut - A vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the torso shifts slightly to the right, the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest and the knees are bent slightly. From this position, the rear hand is thrust upwards in a rising arc towards the opponent's chin or torso. At the same time, the knees push upwards quickly and the torso and hips rotate anti-clockwise and the rear heel turns outward, mimicking the body movement of the cross. The strategic utility of the uppercut depends on its ability to "lift" the opponent's body, setting it off-balance for successive attacks. The right uppercut followed by a left hook is a deadly combination.
The following stance applies for a right-handed boxer. The boxer stands with the legs shoulder-width apart with the right foot a half-step behind the left foot. The left (lead) fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The right (rear) fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw which commonly cause knock-outs. Modern boxers can sometimes be seen "tapping" their cheeks or foreheads with their fists in order to remind themselves to keep their hands up (which becomes difficult during long bouts). Modern boxers are taught to "push off" with their feet in order to move effectively. Forward motion involves lifting the lead leg and pushing with the rear leg. Rearward motion involves lifting the rear leg and pushing with the lead leg. During lateral motion the leg in the direction of the movement moves first while the opposite leg provides the force needed to move the body.
Punches
There are four basic punches in boxing: the Jab, Cross, Hook and Uppercut. If a boxer is right-handed, his left hand is the lead hand, his right hand is the rear hand. The following techniques apply to a right-handed boxer. A right-handed boxer's handedness is commonly described as orthodox. A left-handed boxer is called an unorthodox boxer or a Southpaw.
* Jab - A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab is accompanied by a small, clockwise rotation of the torso and hips, while the fist rotates 90 degrees, becoming horizontal upon impact. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder is brought up to guard the chin. The rear hand remains next to the face to guard the jaw. After making contact with the target, the lead hand is retracted quickly to resume a guard position in front of the face. The jab is the most important punch in a boxer's arsenal because it provides a fair amount of its own cover and it leaves the least amount of space for a counterpunch from the opponent. It has the longest reach of any punch and does not require commitment or large weight transfers. Due to its relatively weak power, the jab is often used as a tool to gauge distances, probe an opponent's defenses, and set up heavier, more powerful punches. A half-step may be added, moving the entire body into the punch, for additional power.
* Cross - A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin, crossing the body and traveling towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated anti-clockwise as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot, resulting in the rear heel turning outwards as it acts as a fulcrum for the transfer of weight. Body rotation and the sudden weight transfer is what gives the cross its power. Like the jab, a half-step forward may be added. After the cross is thrown, the hand is retracted quickly and the guard position resumed. It can be used to counterpunch a jab, aiming for the opponent's head (or a counter to a cross aimed at the body) or to set up a hook. The cross can also follow a jab, creating the classic "one-two combo." The cross is also called a "straight" or "right."
* Hook - A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots clockwise, turning the left heel outwards. Upon contact, the hook's circular path ends abruptly and the lead hand is pulled quickly back into the guard position. A hook may also target the lower body (the classic Mexican hook to the liver) and this technique is sometimes called the "rip" to distinguish it from the conventional hook to the head. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand.
* Uppercut - A vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the torso shifts slightly to the right, the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest and the knees are bent slightly. From this position, the rear hand is thrust upwards in a rising arc towards the opponent's chin or torso. At the same time, the knees push upwards quickly and the torso and hips rotate anti-clockwise and the rear heel turns outward, mimicking the body movement of the cross. The strategic utility of the uppercut depends on its ability to "lift" the opponent's body, setting it off-balance for successive attacks. The right uppercut followed by a left hook is a deadly combination.
Boxing styles
There are three generally accepted boxing styles that are used to define fighters. They are the in-fighter, the out-fighter and the brawler.
Inside-fighter
In-fighters are often considered the most exciting boxers to watch. This style favours closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts. They tend to be agile on their feet which can make them difficult to evade for a slower fighter. They also tend to have a good "chin" because this usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective.
Out-fighters (also known as an "out-boxer" or "boxer") are the opposite of the in-fighter. Where the in-fighter tries to close the gap between himself and his opponent, the out-fighter seeks to maintain that gap and fight with faster, longer range punches. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), they tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some out-fighters (such as Lennox Lewis and Felix Trinidad) have notable knockout records. They attempt to control the fight by using their jab to keep their opponent at range, and using their strong footwork to evade any opponent that closes in. In fact, outside fighters are known for being extremely quick on their feet, which often makes up for their relative lack of power. Out-fighters are often regarded as the best boxers on account of their desire to win a fight by wearing an opponent down and outclassing an opponent by strategy, rather than simply knocking him (or her) out.
Brawler
If the out-fighter represents everything classy about boxing, the brawler (also known as the 'slugger', 'hard hitter' or 'one puncher') often stands for everything that's brutal and dirty in the sport. Sluggers tend to lack finesse in the ring, but make up for it in raw power, often able to knock almost any opponent out with a single punch. This ability makes them exciting to watch, and their fights unpredictable. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility in the ring and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They prefer the harder, slower punches (such as hooks and uppercuts) and tend to ignore combination punching. Their slowness and predictable punching patterns (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open for counterpunching.
Hybrid boxers
These styles are merely archetypes that many boxers fall into. However, some notable fighters transcend any one category. Mike Tyson, although known primarily as a brawler, was a very intense in-fighter in the first half of his career. He had the strength of a brawler, but the combos, agility and ferocity of an in-fighter, which earned him his devastating reputation. Muhammad Ali, known for his footwork and blindingly fast jab, could mix it up on the inside with fast flurries, using his large frame and fast handspeed for more power. Naseem Hamed was primarily a slugger, favouring single, heavy punches, but his agility and reflexes allowed him to move like an out-fighter.
Swarmer
A less common style of boxing, the swarmer is a boxer who attempts to overwhelm his/her opponent by applying constant pressure. Swarmers tend to have a very good bob and weave, good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning). Boxers who use the Swarmer style tend to have shorter careers than practitioners of other styles. Sustaining the adequate amount of training required to execute this style is nearly impossible throughout an entire career, so most Swarmers can only maintain it for a relativity brief period of time. This inevitably leads to the gradual degradation of the sheer ability to perform the style, leaving him open to increasing amounts of punishment.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
There is a commonly accepted theory about the success each of these boxing styles has against the others. This is merely a theory and it has been disproven several times, although it serves as a decent guide. The general rule is similar to the game Rock, Paper, Scissors - each boxing style has advantages over one, but disadvantages against the other. A famous cliché amongst boxing fans and writers is "styles make fights".
Brawlers tend to overcome in-fighters, because the in-fighter likes to be on the inside, where the hard-hitting brawler is most effective. The in-fighters flurries tend to be less effective than the power punches of the slugger, who quickly overwhelms his opponents. Two famous examples of these include George Foreman defeating Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson knocking out Joe's son, Marvis Frazier (in just 30 seconds).
If the in-fighter is a 'meatbag' for the brawler, they tend to succeed against out-fighters. Out-fighters prefer a slower fight, with some distance between themselves and the opponent. The in-fighter tries to close that gap and unleash furious flurries. On the inside, the out-fighter loses a lot of his combat effectiveness, because he cannot throw the hard punches. The in-fighter is generally successful in this case, due to his intensity in advancing on his opponent and his good agility, which makes him difficult to evade. An example of this type of fight is the first fight between Ali and Joe Frazier, the Fight of the Century, although their following two bouts defy the theory, with Ali winning both.
The out-fighter tends to be most successful against the brawler, whose slow speed (both hand and foot) and poor technique make them an easy target to hit for the faster out-fighter. The out-fighter's main key is to stay alert, as the brawler only needs to land one good punch to finish the fight. If the out-fighter can avoid those power punches, he can often wear the brawler down with fast jabs, tiring the slugger out. If he is successful enough, he may even apply extra pressure in the later rounds in an attempt to achieve a knockout.
By far, the most famous bout to depict this battle is the Rumble in the Jungle, where Muhammed Ali overwhelmed George Foreman in the eighth round to reclaim his heavyweight title.
Hybrid boxers tend to be the most successful in the ring, because they often have advantages against most opponents. Pre-prison Tyson, able to overwhelm any in-fighter with his tremendous power, was also able to use his in-fighting footspeed to close in on and knock out many out-fighters who tried to stay out of his range, such as Michael Spinks. Muhammad Ali's speed kept him away from hard hitters like Sonny Liston and George Foreman, but his strong punching power allowed him to weather Joe Frazier enough to last, and eventually win two of their three bouts.
Inside-fighter
In-fighters are often considered the most exciting boxers to watch. This style favours closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts. They tend to be agile on their feet which can make them difficult to evade for a slower fighter. They also tend to have a good "chin" because this usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective.
Out-fighters (also known as an "out-boxer" or "boxer") are the opposite of the in-fighter. Where the in-fighter tries to close the gap between himself and his opponent, the out-fighter seeks to maintain that gap and fight with faster, longer range punches. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), they tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some out-fighters (such as Lennox Lewis and Felix Trinidad) have notable knockout records. They attempt to control the fight by using their jab to keep their opponent at range, and using their strong footwork to evade any opponent that closes in. In fact, outside fighters are known for being extremely quick on their feet, which often makes up for their relative lack of power. Out-fighters are often regarded as the best boxers on account of their desire to win a fight by wearing an opponent down and outclassing an opponent by strategy, rather than simply knocking him (or her) out.
Brawler
If the out-fighter represents everything classy about boxing, the brawler (also known as the 'slugger', 'hard hitter' or 'one puncher') often stands for everything that's brutal and dirty in the sport. Sluggers tend to lack finesse in the ring, but make up for it in raw power, often able to knock almost any opponent out with a single punch. This ability makes them exciting to watch, and their fights unpredictable. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility in the ring and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They prefer the harder, slower punches (such as hooks and uppercuts) and tend to ignore combination punching. Their slowness and predictable punching patterns (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open for counterpunching.
Hybrid boxers
These styles are merely archetypes that many boxers fall into. However, some notable fighters transcend any one category. Mike Tyson, although known primarily as a brawler, was a very intense in-fighter in the first half of his career. He had the strength of a brawler, but the combos, agility and ferocity of an in-fighter, which earned him his devastating reputation. Muhammad Ali, known for his footwork and blindingly fast jab, could mix it up on the inside with fast flurries, using his large frame and fast handspeed for more power. Naseem Hamed was primarily a slugger, favouring single, heavy punches, but his agility and reflexes allowed him to move like an out-fighter.
Swarmer
A less common style of boxing, the swarmer is a boxer who attempts to overwhelm his/her opponent by applying constant pressure. Swarmers tend to have a very good bob and weave, good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning). Boxers who use the Swarmer style tend to have shorter careers than practitioners of other styles. Sustaining the adequate amount of training required to execute this style is nearly impossible throughout an entire career, so most Swarmers can only maintain it for a relativity brief period of time. This inevitably leads to the gradual degradation of the sheer ability to perform the style, leaving him open to increasing amounts of punishment.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
There is a commonly accepted theory about the success each of these boxing styles has against the others. This is merely a theory and it has been disproven several times, although it serves as a decent guide. The general rule is similar to the game Rock, Paper, Scissors - each boxing style has advantages over one, but disadvantages against the other. A famous cliché amongst boxing fans and writers is "styles make fights".
Brawlers tend to overcome in-fighters, because the in-fighter likes to be on the inside, where the hard-hitting brawler is most effective. The in-fighters flurries tend to be less effective than the power punches of the slugger, who quickly overwhelms his opponents. Two famous examples of these include George Foreman defeating Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson knocking out Joe's son, Marvis Frazier (in just 30 seconds).
If the in-fighter is a 'meatbag' for the brawler, they tend to succeed against out-fighters. Out-fighters prefer a slower fight, with some distance between themselves and the opponent. The in-fighter tries to close that gap and unleash furious flurries. On the inside, the out-fighter loses a lot of his combat effectiveness, because he cannot throw the hard punches. The in-fighter is generally successful in this case, due to his intensity in advancing on his opponent and his good agility, which makes him difficult to evade. An example of this type of fight is the first fight between Ali and Joe Frazier, the Fight of the Century, although their following two bouts defy the theory, with Ali winning both.
The out-fighter tends to be most successful against the brawler, whose slow speed (both hand and foot) and poor technique make them an easy target to hit for the faster out-fighter. The out-fighter's main key is to stay alert, as the brawler only needs to land one good punch to finish the fight. If the out-fighter can avoid those power punches, he can often wear the brawler down with fast jabs, tiring the slugger out. If he is successful enough, he may even apply extra pressure in the later rounds in an attempt to achieve a knockout.
By far, the most famous bout to depict this battle is the Rumble in the Jungle, where Muhammed Ali overwhelmed George Foreman in the eighth round to reclaim his heavyweight title.
Hybrid boxers tend to be the most successful in the ring, because they often have advantages against most opponents. Pre-prison Tyson, able to overwhelm any in-fighter with his tremendous power, was also able to use his in-fighting footspeed to close in on and knock out many out-fighters who tried to stay out of his range, such as Michael Spinks. Muhammad Ali's speed kept him away from hard hitters like Sonny Liston and George Foreman, but his strong punching power allowed him to weather Joe Frazier enough to last, and eventually win two of their three bouts.
Wednesday 9 May 2007
Blue
Haven been updating the blog for a long time, life is a bit of struggle for me these days, still coming to terms with it...
haven been going out nowadays, except i when to eat thai express, pasta mania & i watch Phantom of the opera.
Pasta mania's creamy chicken never fails to open my appetite. The tot of the creamy taste & cheese melting in ur mouth jus makes me hungry. wanted to try the pizza which i heard is more delicious den pizza hut but our stomach didnt have space left for it le. there is also a new option where by u top up 2$ u upsize ur pasta. so ur spagetti will become fatter!! haha kidding.
phantom of the opera was a very nice play. i m nt a very artistic person, i dun really no how to appreciate play, but i do like phantom of the opera, especially the music, like it alot. i wanted to buy the CD tat day but find it quite expensive & there is alot version, i do nt no which version to get
the tom yum soup from thai express is very nice,the steam boat include fish, very fresh, prawns, chicken,mushroom and glass noodle, the soup is hot enuf & i jus love it! we had pineapple fried rice, it was nice but i find it abit plain. we ended off the meal with prawn toast. the prawns toast was tasty but oily.
Saw the advertisement for 100 best loved classical, i wanted to buy it cos i like classical music. i also wanted to but some saxaphone music too, on top of it still gt phantom of e opera... ah i gt so many disc i want to buy.
badly wanted a gd ear piece for my hp & mayb a memory card too
Xbox games!! dere r some games tat i desperately want to get b4 out of stock too. nowadays so hard to get xbox game.
For the past 2 weeks hav been doing some training too. realise my tummy is getting bigger & i feel so slouchy. but after tis 2 wks i felt great now. have been doing weight lift, swiming, jogging, compound exercises & improving my eating habits.
was kind of feeling blue when i first started typing tis post but after typing, i realise i did alot of things tat is very happening too. life wasnt so bad after all. haha sign of now guys
back to reality. :<
haven been going out nowadays, except i when to eat thai express, pasta mania & i watch Phantom of the opera.
Pasta mania's creamy chicken never fails to open my appetite. The tot of the creamy taste & cheese melting in ur mouth jus makes me hungry. wanted to try the pizza which i heard is more delicious den pizza hut but our stomach didnt have space left for it le. there is also a new option where by u top up 2$ u upsize ur pasta. so ur spagetti will become fatter!! haha kidding.
phantom of the opera was a very nice play. i m nt a very artistic person, i dun really no how to appreciate play, but i do like phantom of the opera, especially the music, like it alot. i wanted to buy the CD tat day but find it quite expensive & there is alot version, i do nt no which version to get
the tom yum soup from thai express is very nice,the steam boat include fish, very fresh, prawns, chicken,mushroom and glass noodle, the soup is hot enuf & i jus love it! we had pineapple fried rice, it was nice but i find it abit plain. we ended off the meal with prawn toast. the prawns toast was tasty but oily.
Saw the advertisement for 100 best loved classical, i wanted to buy it cos i like classical music. i also wanted to but some saxaphone music too, on top of it still gt phantom of e opera... ah i gt so many disc i want to buy.
badly wanted a gd ear piece for my hp & mayb a memory card too
Xbox games!! dere r some games tat i desperately want to get b4 out of stock too. nowadays so hard to get xbox game.
For the past 2 weeks hav been doing some training too. realise my tummy is getting bigger & i feel so slouchy. but after tis 2 wks i felt great now. have been doing weight lift, swiming, jogging, compound exercises & improving my eating habits.
was kind of feeling blue when i first started typing tis post but after typing, i realise i did alot of things tat is very happening too. life wasnt so bad after all. haha sign of now guys
back to reality. :<
May horo scope 2007
You've been concerned about money lately, but happily, help is on the way. Your career is about to enter a truly dazzling stage, because Mars, the energizer planet, will enter your tenth house of fame and honors for the first time in two years on May 16. Mars is set to stay there for seven weeks.
You will be on the receiving end of plenty of professional opportunities, ones that will truly fit your experience and expertise. VIPs will be within reach, and some will want to go out of their way to help you. The job offers you uncover in the second half of May will be ones that will allow you to increase your status and climb to a higher post in your industry, so truly, you should take this period seriously.
Last month, in the days that followed the new moon on April 17, you may have opened career talks with certain employers or clients. Or, you may have drawn up important blueprints that will help you start your own business. Now you will be able to make more of those fledgling opportunities and plans and actually turn them into reality.
You need to work fast however. While it is true that Mars will remain in your professional sector from May 16 to June 24, there will be another, overlapping trend we need to pay attention to as well, involving Mercury.
Mercury will be retrograde from June 14 until July 9. You need to avoid taking a job when Mercury begins to retrograde next month. We always feel Mercury's slowdown earlier than its onset date, and you will feel it from June 1 onward. As you see, June won't be nearly as productive.
Mercury rules communication, agreements, perception, and commerce, and it is generally not wise to begin a new job when Mercury is retrograde.
The only exception to this rule is if the executive that you are interviewing with is someone you know from your past. In that case, your chart shows that Mercury would be urging you to go back to find new ways to relate together. In that case, it would be apparent that you have more to accomplish together.
However, about ninety-five percent of the time, we don't go back to someone we know when we are interviewing for a job, but to someone new. Acting on a new job offer when Mercury is retrograde is never advised, because the job does not work out. Deals that you make always have to be renegotiated later. It's a time of great confusion and changing circumstances, so the job you take during a retrograde period will almost always evolve into something different, in ways you can't anticipate, and most importantly, in ways you won't like. This is not good! For most people, a career position represents security!
In a nutshell, you will have a golden career phase to use to your advantage from May 16 to 31. All systems will be go, dear Cancer, so get on the stick now, without delay.
Before you enter this important career phase on May 16 you will have a chance to relax and enjoy yourself. In fact, the first phase of your month will be wildly social and highly romantic, and will bring you all kinds of sizzling successes.
Let's start at the very beginning of May, when you start the month with a highly romantic, tender full moon, Monday, May 2. This full moon will extend its influence until Friday, May 6.
It will crystallize feelings in a close relationship you already have, or, if single and unattached, bring you a new person to enjoy. Another way it may touch you is that if you have hoped to have a baby, this full moon could bring the exciting news of pregnancy. (If you ARE pregnant and due soon, this full moon will actually bring on birth within four days of May 2, with the strongest day being May 2.)
I feel you will love the effects of the full moon because it will be so lovingly angled to Uranus, the planet of surprise. You won't expect what is coming, but all the news should be wonderful.
The only drawback to this full moon is that you may be a little stressed out about money because this full moon will be in hard angle to Saturn. Your personal, romantic, or social plans, or preparations for a baby, may put a drain on finances.
If so, this pressure that you seem to have been feeling a lot is only temporary. By early September, the financial nightmare you've been living though for as long as two yeas should begin to end. Truly, you are on the tail end of a 1,000-mile journey, dear Cancer - when Saturn leaves, you will see that making money will be much easier to do in the future!
If you were born on July 4, or within four days of this date, you will benefit doubly from the energy of that full moon May 2. Indeed, it should be a really fun time for you, and remember, it will be operative plus or minus three to four days. You only get one full moon a year in your fifth house of fun and love - this will be it!
Also in the first week of May, you may be wrapping up a highly important creative project, or seeing the gratifying results to a hobby you love.
Travel could easily be on your agenda this month too, especially during the first half of the month. If you aren't getting on a plane for business or pleasure, you may be on the phone quite a bit with people at a distance.
Additionally, a publishing or broadcasting project may be foremost in your mind, or you may be studying hard for final exams in college. You may need to be at the library to do a great deal of research for a thesis, term paper, or white paper for your boss. The overarching theme will be one of either disseminating information through writing, broadcasting, blogging, teaching, or lecturing, or in taking in new information through study, travel, or discussion.
Watch to see what develops in regard to a proposal that someone based afar sends to you on May 5 or 8. This deal could be a good one - you seem happy with the news. These days would also glitter for any sort of distant travel, possibly overseas. During the first half of May, Mars will move through Pisces, a highly compatible nurturing place for Mars to be for you. You seem to have business to conduct with the people who are contacting you. If you need to do a face-to-face meeting, don't wait for June when Mercury will be on the verge of retrograde - book your trip now.
Venus will glide through Cancer from May 8 to June 5, a dazzling time that will make your charms more apparent to others. Venus is not an assertive planet like Mars - her advice will always be to take the subtle, low-key route to attraction. Venus is, essentially, a planet that promotes the power of magnetism, and with Venus in Cancer, it matters not if you are a woman or man, you'll have those powers in abundance this month!
At the new moon May 16, you'll have an extraordinary chance to make new friends and contacts in the days and weeks to follow. You may find that you are planning to go to a seminar, trade show, college orientation program, or other event that draws many people together, and if so, this will be your cue to be open to the new faces around you. If you had hoped to join a new club, this would your moment to send in your application - do so during the week of May 16,
If you were born on July 18, or within five days of this date, you will benefit most.
Best romantic dates: May 1, 2, 11, 19, 25, 29, and 30
By month's end, you may be wrapping up a major work project, or you may be mulling over a job offer. That full moon in Sagittarius will fall on Thursday, May 31. You will feel that you've built up a great deal of momentum, so you can get a lot accomplished.
Keep your health in good shape, as you will be feeling a little drained and you could be susceptible to a cold. You can avoid this by watching how you feel and by giving yourself time to rest when you see you need it. Be sure you are getting the right nutrition, too.
Also at month's end, you may decide you want to lose those extra ten pounds that you have been carrying around. Lose them by being more active and by watching portion sizes, as well as by cutting out food you know isn't good for you.
Summary:
Travel will be on your mind, thanks to the energetic urgings of Mars, now zooming through your journey sector until mid-May. You might find that you are musing about the possibility of visiting one of several locations for a vacation. Don't make a final decision until you investigate all your choices. It appears that the place you really want to visit will suddenly open up when you uncover a truly good bargain package. You'll be most likely to find this package in early May, but you can go whenever you like. Think about the possibility of taking a cruise - this month it would be great fun, especially when Venus is in Cancer after May 8.
If you need to travel for business however, you need to make that trip now, not in June, a less productive month due to an approaching Mercury retrograde.
Career-wise, you seem to have a good handle on your work. It appears to be satisfying and you seem especially well-organized.
With Mars entering your tenth house of fame and honors from May 15 to June 24, you'll be gratified to see your profile rise in your industry. You may interview for a more responsible, important position, or be given praise for your recent projects, or you may announce an entrepreneurial idea that you are about to launch. If you're an athlete, consider the idea of entering a major competition - you'll have all the verve you need to win.
You'll have a fantastic social event coming up on the full moon, May 2, plus or minus four days. It's sure to be a glamorous, dress-up affair not to miss! You may be concerned about the cost of attending, however, but if so, put your mind to solving that problem because it looks like you can find ways to surmount those financial obstacles. Even if you can't, this event seems worth creating a dent in your budget!
Venus will move into Cancer from May 8 to June 5, a lovely influence, and one that will allow you to be happier and to look more radiant, too. You'll find it easier to meet new people now, for Venus increases your charm in ways that will make admirers want to know more almost the instant they meet you. Your confidence will be strong now, too. Having Venus in your sign is a terrific advantage that only happens once a year for about a month.
There's more! On the new moon, May 16, you'll begin to come in contact with new people, some of whom you'd like to get to know better. There's a strong chance you'll make a new friend in the second half of May. Should you come across someone who inspires you in some way, make the first move and extend an invitation for lunch. Don't let the disparity in socio-economic background worry you - it will only matter to you, not your new friend. She or he doesn't care where you shop.
The month closes with you focusing on a big project at work, and also attending to your health. You seem ready to commit to a serious shape-up program or to knuckle down to improving your eating habits. You may also decide it is the right time to schedule medical checkups. Get your eyeglasses checked, as well as your blood pressure, and see your dentist at the full moon May 31. We all need to find the time to do these little appointments - your time has arrived.
You will be on the receiving end of plenty of professional opportunities, ones that will truly fit your experience and expertise. VIPs will be within reach, and some will want to go out of their way to help you. The job offers you uncover in the second half of May will be ones that will allow you to increase your status and climb to a higher post in your industry, so truly, you should take this period seriously.
Last month, in the days that followed the new moon on April 17, you may have opened career talks with certain employers or clients. Or, you may have drawn up important blueprints that will help you start your own business. Now you will be able to make more of those fledgling opportunities and plans and actually turn them into reality.
You need to work fast however. While it is true that Mars will remain in your professional sector from May 16 to June 24, there will be another, overlapping trend we need to pay attention to as well, involving Mercury.
Mercury will be retrograde from June 14 until July 9. You need to avoid taking a job when Mercury begins to retrograde next month. We always feel Mercury's slowdown earlier than its onset date, and you will feel it from June 1 onward. As you see, June won't be nearly as productive.
Mercury rules communication, agreements, perception, and commerce, and it is generally not wise to begin a new job when Mercury is retrograde.
The only exception to this rule is if the executive that you are interviewing with is someone you know from your past. In that case, your chart shows that Mercury would be urging you to go back to find new ways to relate together. In that case, it would be apparent that you have more to accomplish together.
However, about ninety-five percent of the time, we don't go back to someone we know when we are interviewing for a job, but to someone new. Acting on a new job offer when Mercury is retrograde is never advised, because the job does not work out. Deals that you make always have to be renegotiated later. It's a time of great confusion and changing circumstances, so the job you take during a retrograde period will almost always evolve into something different, in ways you can't anticipate, and most importantly, in ways you won't like. This is not good! For most people, a career position represents security!
In a nutshell, you will have a golden career phase to use to your advantage from May 16 to 31. All systems will be go, dear Cancer, so get on the stick now, without delay.
Before you enter this important career phase on May 16 you will have a chance to relax and enjoy yourself. In fact, the first phase of your month will be wildly social and highly romantic, and will bring you all kinds of sizzling successes.
Let's start at the very beginning of May, when you start the month with a highly romantic, tender full moon, Monday, May 2. This full moon will extend its influence until Friday, May 6.
It will crystallize feelings in a close relationship you already have, or, if single and unattached, bring you a new person to enjoy. Another way it may touch you is that if you have hoped to have a baby, this full moon could bring the exciting news of pregnancy. (If you ARE pregnant and due soon, this full moon will actually bring on birth within four days of May 2, with the strongest day being May 2.)
I feel you will love the effects of the full moon because it will be so lovingly angled to Uranus, the planet of surprise. You won't expect what is coming, but all the news should be wonderful.
The only drawback to this full moon is that you may be a little stressed out about money because this full moon will be in hard angle to Saturn. Your personal, romantic, or social plans, or preparations for a baby, may put a drain on finances.
If so, this pressure that you seem to have been feeling a lot is only temporary. By early September, the financial nightmare you've been living though for as long as two yeas should begin to end. Truly, you are on the tail end of a 1,000-mile journey, dear Cancer - when Saturn leaves, you will see that making money will be much easier to do in the future!
If you were born on July 4, or within four days of this date, you will benefit doubly from the energy of that full moon May 2. Indeed, it should be a really fun time for you, and remember, it will be operative plus or minus three to four days. You only get one full moon a year in your fifth house of fun and love - this will be it!
Also in the first week of May, you may be wrapping up a highly important creative project, or seeing the gratifying results to a hobby you love.
Travel could easily be on your agenda this month too, especially during the first half of the month. If you aren't getting on a plane for business or pleasure, you may be on the phone quite a bit with people at a distance.
Additionally, a publishing or broadcasting project may be foremost in your mind, or you may be studying hard for final exams in college. You may need to be at the library to do a great deal of research for a thesis, term paper, or white paper for your boss. The overarching theme will be one of either disseminating information through writing, broadcasting, blogging, teaching, or lecturing, or in taking in new information through study, travel, or discussion.
Watch to see what develops in regard to a proposal that someone based afar sends to you on May 5 or 8. This deal could be a good one - you seem happy with the news. These days would also glitter for any sort of distant travel, possibly overseas. During the first half of May, Mars will move through Pisces, a highly compatible nurturing place for Mars to be for you. You seem to have business to conduct with the people who are contacting you. If you need to do a face-to-face meeting, don't wait for June when Mercury will be on the verge of retrograde - book your trip now.
Venus will glide through Cancer from May 8 to June 5, a dazzling time that will make your charms more apparent to others. Venus is not an assertive planet like Mars - her advice will always be to take the subtle, low-key route to attraction. Venus is, essentially, a planet that promotes the power of magnetism, and with Venus in Cancer, it matters not if you are a woman or man, you'll have those powers in abundance this month!
At the new moon May 16, you'll have an extraordinary chance to make new friends and contacts in the days and weeks to follow. You may find that you are planning to go to a seminar, trade show, college orientation program, or other event that draws many people together, and if so, this will be your cue to be open to the new faces around you. If you had hoped to join a new club, this would your moment to send in your application - do so during the week of May 16,
If you were born on July 18, or within five days of this date, you will benefit most.
Best romantic dates: May 1, 2, 11, 19, 25, 29, and 30
By month's end, you may be wrapping up a major work project, or you may be mulling over a job offer. That full moon in Sagittarius will fall on Thursday, May 31. You will feel that you've built up a great deal of momentum, so you can get a lot accomplished.
Keep your health in good shape, as you will be feeling a little drained and you could be susceptible to a cold. You can avoid this by watching how you feel and by giving yourself time to rest when you see you need it. Be sure you are getting the right nutrition, too.
Also at month's end, you may decide you want to lose those extra ten pounds that you have been carrying around. Lose them by being more active and by watching portion sizes, as well as by cutting out food you know isn't good for you.
Summary:
Travel will be on your mind, thanks to the energetic urgings of Mars, now zooming through your journey sector until mid-May. You might find that you are musing about the possibility of visiting one of several locations for a vacation. Don't make a final decision until you investigate all your choices. It appears that the place you really want to visit will suddenly open up when you uncover a truly good bargain package. You'll be most likely to find this package in early May, but you can go whenever you like. Think about the possibility of taking a cruise - this month it would be great fun, especially when Venus is in Cancer after May 8.
If you need to travel for business however, you need to make that trip now, not in June, a less productive month due to an approaching Mercury retrograde.
Career-wise, you seem to have a good handle on your work. It appears to be satisfying and you seem especially well-organized.
With Mars entering your tenth house of fame and honors from May 15 to June 24, you'll be gratified to see your profile rise in your industry. You may interview for a more responsible, important position, or be given praise for your recent projects, or you may announce an entrepreneurial idea that you are about to launch. If you're an athlete, consider the idea of entering a major competition - you'll have all the verve you need to win.
You'll have a fantastic social event coming up on the full moon, May 2, plus or minus four days. It's sure to be a glamorous, dress-up affair not to miss! You may be concerned about the cost of attending, however, but if so, put your mind to solving that problem because it looks like you can find ways to surmount those financial obstacles. Even if you can't, this event seems worth creating a dent in your budget!
Venus will move into Cancer from May 8 to June 5, a lovely influence, and one that will allow you to be happier and to look more radiant, too. You'll find it easier to meet new people now, for Venus increases your charm in ways that will make admirers want to know more almost the instant they meet you. Your confidence will be strong now, too. Having Venus in your sign is a terrific advantage that only happens once a year for about a month.
There's more! On the new moon, May 16, you'll begin to come in contact with new people, some of whom you'd like to get to know better. There's a strong chance you'll make a new friend in the second half of May. Should you come across someone who inspires you in some way, make the first move and extend an invitation for lunch. Don't let the disparity in socio-economic background worry you - it will only matter to you, not your new friend. She or he doesn't care where you shop.
The month closes with you focusing on a big project at work, and also attending to your health. You seem ready to commit to a serious shape-up program or to knuckle down to improving your eating habits. You may also decide it is the right time to schedule medical checkups. Get your eyeglasses checked, as well as your blood pressure, and see your dentist at the full moon May 31. We all need to find the time to do these little appointments - your time has arrived.
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