Lately when sparring I have been using a high guard. I also find that my shoulders fatigue rather easily since the shoudlers have to be activated to gloves up. I know that if you hold one glove up in this manner, you can feel tension in the front deltoid and feel it "flexed". A more experienced guy convinced me to try to do this: have the shoulders RELAXED. Tuck the elbows in touching the body and then bring the gloves up, but not to the point where you have to raise your shoulders. "Hunch your shoulders and tuck your chin" you tighten in guard rather than raise the gloves up exposing your midsection and tiring your shoulders" he said. Now my thumbs touch just below my cheekbones. And he stressed how important it was to keep you weight centered (or slightly back) instead of forward. He told me to just raise my guard an inch or two and basically I have a better stance, better protected, hands in better position to punch and I won't worry about my shoulders getting tired. Should I listen to this chap? I know this seems elementary, and novices using the high guard is probably not advisable. He seems to know his stuff, but since I get a very minor amount of coaching, I thought I would get with some guys on here too. thanks
it sounds about right really. you shouldn't be moving around tensed up, it'll sap your energy faster. and in amateur, you're supposed to use the high guard so i actually think it's the most basic.
