Porter Boxing System

This invention relates in general to martial arts. In particular, it relates to a step-by-step training system for students studying boxing in which the students are trained to properly position their entire body and especially training them how to position their feet during the course of a boxing match. The invention uses positioning cones to train individual students in proper placement and motion of feet such that they develop the skills to remain on balance during an actual match. The invention also teaches students how to use body positioning and proper foot placement resulting from the cones to control the ring and control movement of the opponent in the ring.

Training in the boxing art typically focuses on the upper body, with an emphasis on punching and arm and motion. While these are important to increase boxing skills, they typically do not focus along whole body positioning and training the boxer to properly position the boxer's feet and lower body to maximize effectiveness in the boxing ring.

Likewise, the prior art has provided many types of training equipment geared toward the boxer's upper body and arms. However, it has not provided individuals learning the art of boxing with equipment directed to enhancing their skills in regard to the position, and motion of the lower body.

While the prior art has provided a number of devices to improve a boxer's upper body skills in terms of effective punching and physical strength, it has failed to provide a training method that trains a boxer to instinctively position their feet and lower body for maximum effectiveness and motion in the boxing ring. It would be desirable to have training equipment capable of monitoring the boxer's position and foot motion during training sessions such that the student receives immediate feedback when he is not properly controlling his lower body and foot position.

This invention provides a training system that teaches all aspects of boxing that a student should know. The system provides a method of notification to assist student boxers and learning how to properly position their feet legs and lower body, and in addition teaches all the basic types of punches. The invention improves un conventional training with a system that provides immediate feedback during footwork drills in combination with cones that train a boxer in the best position for their lower body during training, such that they instinctively position their feet and lower body during actual subsequent boxing matches.

For case of discussion, the term “Boxer” will be used to describe not only boxers, but also include other martial arts disciplines including karate, tai kwan do, judo, and mixed martial arts.

Prior to a discussion of the training system disclosed herein, we will first provide a listing of the general terms used in the training program. They are as follows:

The following general terms are used by the boxing system disclosed herein:

An important skill in boxing or any other martial art is the ability to properly control how your body is positioned and how it moves. This is important because if the boxer's body is not properly positioned, and the body's motion is not properly controlled, the boxer will not be able to maintain balance to effectively punch his opponent or to effectively block his opponent.

The system disclosed herein uses the following terms to describe specific types of motion:

The training system disclosed herein is a step-by-step process that takes a novice boxer with limited or no skills and trains each studentstep at a time. The training system uses colors to describe the certification level achieved by a particular student. To indicate a student's progress, and to encourage them to work their way through the various stages of training the system uses color coded certifications similar to other martial arts training programs, such as karate or taekwondo. In the training program, each student must learn all of the material required for that certification level before proceeding to the next certification level. The color levels are as follows:

The following describes the skills needed to be mastered by each student for each certification level:

This certification as the starting point for all students wishing to master the sport of boxing.

In this certification level, the student builds apon what was learned in the previous certification level to correctly practice the following additional skills.

This certification level expands on the student's knowledge of punching, footwork movement, blocks and head movement.

This certification level is directed to specific types of punches, footwork and head movement combinations.

This certification level focuses on learning the following skills.

This certification level requires that the student understand and demonstrate the ability to do the following.

Having discussed the terminology and different skill levels required to reach each certification level, we turn now to equipment and methods used to hone the student's skills in regard to foot and body movement, and how those foot and body movements allow a boxer to control not only his own movement, but also the movement of bis opponent. When training students in the art of boxing, a great deal of the equipment is directed to development of arm and body strength, as well as how to make the most effective punches and how to most effectively block the adversary's punches. However, maintaining position and properly maintaining body balance in a given situation is equally as important as punching. A particularly important skill is the ability to control the ring. As a result, sometimes the more capable and stronger boxer will lose ‘control of the ring because the boxer's opponent has better control of foot placement and lower body movement. The invention provides training devices that allow boxers to instinctively position their feet and body properly, and further provides techniques to control the position of the boxer's opponent in the ring.

By training boxers to automatically control their position they will avoid being caught off balance in the ring.

The invention uses cones to train a boxer to keep foot moments within predetermined limits. The cones are used to assist the boxer in learning the proper placement of their feet. One or more cones may be used depending on the type of motion the boxer is practicing.

illustrate a preferred embodiment of the coneused by the invention. In figures IA a side view of coneis shown, and ina top view of coneis shown. For ease of illustration, the conesare shown having a pyramidal form. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that conecan take any suitable shape so long as it is suitable for its purpose.

Features-illustrate the types of motion a boxerwould use in the ring.

illustrates the top view of a boxerpracticing a Lateral Motion Drill behind cone. Only a single coneis needed when practicing the Lateral Movement Drill. The boxershifts laterally such that one foot is positioned behind the cone, and then the boxershifts to the other direction such that the other foot is positioned behind the cone. As the boxermoves from side to side along lateral path, the use of a single coneprovides a visual reference point to indicate to the boxerthat the boxerhas moved too far or not far enough. With enough practice, the boxerdoes not have to think about foot placement as it becomes automatic. As a result, the boxercan concentrate on punching and blocking without being distracted by footwork. In addition, because the conesare movable, they are preferably positioned to accommodate the physical size of each boxing trainee.

illustrates a top view of a boxerpracticing what is referred to as a Red Light, Green Light Drill while using three cones. In a Red Light, Green Light Drill, the boxerpractices lateral motion along linewhile intermittently moving forward along line. In this configuration, three coneswould be used with two rear conesused to establish the limits of lateral motion in combination with a third conethat defines the limit of forward motion. This helps the boxerpractice staying within the triangle that covers both lateral and forward motion without exceeding the preferred limits of motion.

In, a Serpentine Motion Drill is illustrated, a plurality of conegroups are positioned in a forward/rearward line. The purpose of the Serpentine Motion Drill is to aid the boxerto practice moving side by side while continuously moving forward. In this drill, as soon as the boxercompletes Step A, the boxerthen steps sideways to the side of the coneand moves forward to Step B. When Step B is complete, the boxerthen moves laterally to the side of coneand moves forward to Step C where the process is repeated. The formation of the conesassists the boxerwhile training to use movement in a predetermined configuration. For ease of discussion, only three steps A-C are illustrated, however, those skilled in the art will recognize any desired number of steps can be used.

In all of the foregoing drills, the conesserve the purpose of giving the boxerfeedback when the boxeroversteps motion limits during practice. Those skilled in the art realize that the simplest embodiment of the invention uses a simple cone structure in which helps the boxerto recognize when he has overstepped proper positioning limits by making physical contact with a cone.

Alternative embodiments, discussed below in regard to, provide integral alarms incorporated into the coneswhich have audio or visual indicators such as buzzers or lamps that are activated when the conedetects motion caused by contact between the boxerand the cone. As with any athletic activity, the feedback provided by the conestrains the boxerto automatically control his lateral or forward motion. As a result, the boxercan better maintain balance and focus attention on the Boxer'sopponent.

By practicing with the cones, the boxerlearns to move the proper distance reflexively, thereby avoiding mistakes that may lead the boxerto be off balance. The number of conesvary depending on what movement the boxeris practicing. For example, in a Lateral Movement Drill the boxerneeds only a single cone. In this configuration, the boxerwould begin with one foot behind the coneand then moves laterally so that the other foot is behind the cone. In the Red Light, Green Light Drill, three conesare used to train for both lateral and forward/backward motion/Likewise, in the Serpentine Motion Drill, three conesare used for each step of the drill to train the boxerto stay within the limits of motion while continuing to move forward. With enough practice, the boxerdoes not have to think about foot placement as it becomes automatic. As a result, the boxercan concentrate on punching and blocking without being distracted by footwork.

illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention in which the coneincludes a motion sensorthat sets off an alarm(shown in) when the coneis moved by contact with the boxer. The alarmis an optional feature which ensures that the boxeris notified when the boxer'smotion has passed outside of the predetermined range. It would be easy for a boxerto not notice when contact is made with the conebecause of the speed and exertion during the training session. The motion sensorand alarmreduce the possibility that this will happen.

is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of. This figure shows the motion sensorwhich detects when the conemoves. The motion sensorthen activates the alarmwhich notifies the boxer. The alarmcan include a lamp, and/or an audible alarm. The figure also illustrates the Power Supplywhich can be any suitable power source, but in the preferred environment it is preferably a battery.

As can be seen, the invention provides multiple ways to help individual boxerslearn how to instinctively control their lower body and properly control footwork. By teaching boxersto properly control position and balance, the invention allows the boxerto better focus on their opponents

The foregoing sections described the initial training process which begins with foot placement and motion. An important skill in boxing is the ability to control the ringby controlling where the opponentcan move, because limiting the opponent's ability to move often determines the outcome of a boxing match.

The next step in the process is training a boxerhow to control the ring ability of a boxerto limit the space available to the opponent. In particular, the four movements discussed below are designed to do just that. This section describes four movements directed to control of the ring, and especially control of the center of the ring by the boxerat the beginning of engagement with their opponent. The movements use shifts in position by the boxerby leg movements that make the opponent respond by moving in the desired direction.

An important skill that facilitates ring control by the boxeris control of the boxer'slower body and foot placement. Learning those skills is facilitated by training with the cones, along with the movements that are practiced using the cones, as discussed above. By practicing proper lower body placement along with proper foot placement, the boxercan focus on upper body moves such as punching, jabbing and parrying with being distracted by lower body motions.

Each movement begins with the boxermoving to the center of the ringand taking control of it. By using the following ring movements, the boxercan back the opponent into a defensive position where the boxercan defeat the opponent.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that while a boxermay begin a match using a particular movement, a skilled boxermay switch from one movement type to another based on the boxer'sjudgment of the opponent'sstrengths or weaknesses. The four ring movements disclosed herein are as follows:

illustrates the Triangle Ring Movement, the ringis divided into four imaginary triangles-. At the beginning of the match, the boxermoves to the center of the ring. Each triangle-has one point in the ring's center and two points on adjacent corners of the ring's rope. In this movement, the boxer'sstrategy is to keep the opponentin a triangle shaped funnel and limit the opponent's ability to move.

As the match proceeds, the boxersteps forward to make the opponentback on toward the rope, and then gradually forcing the opponentto move toward the corner of the triangle. Once in the corner, the boxerbegins to punch and jab the opponent.

In this figure, the goal of the boxeris to position the boxer'sbody to prevent the opponentfrom moving out of the triangle. However, if the opponentis able to break out of the triangle, the boxerthen withdraws to the ring center and switches to an adjacent triangle and repeats the process, until the opponentis trapped in a corner. Once trapped, the boxercontinues to punch and jab the opponentuntil the match is won.

illustrate the Cross Ring Movement.

In, boxertakes control of the center of the ring. In this movement, after boxercontrols the center of the ring, the boxermoves forward along line, as shown in. This forces the opponenttoward one of the ropes-. In this illustration, the opponentis moved to rope. The boxerthen proceeds to attack the opponent.

As shown in, boxerthen withdraws to the ring's center along line. The opponentwill then follow the boxerto the center of ring. At that point they reengage. The boxerthen pivots which forces the opponentto also pivot so that the opponentis then backed up to a different rope, in this example, rope.

In, the boxerthen repeats the process by moving forward along line, forcing the opponentto back up to ropewhere the opponentis again attacked. The process is repeated until the opponentis forced to back up into all four ropes-.

Maintaining control of the center of ringis key to winning the match using this strategy. Likewise, training with the conesystem described above enables the boxerto more effectively control of the boxer'slower body and foot placement which is key to controlling the center of the ring.

As was the case with the previous two movements, the X Ring Movement begins with the boxermoving to the ring center and taking control of it as shown in. In, the boxerthen forces the opponentto rotate by using jabs and cross punches to force the opponenttoward one of the corners-, in this example corner. Once the opponentis in corner, the boxerstarts jabbing, punching, etc. The boxerback off to the ring center. When the opponent returns to the center of ring, the boxeruses jabs and hooks to torn the opponentto the next corneror. The process is repeated until the opponentis moved into all 4 corners-. This movement, like the others depends on controlling the center of the ring. Likewise, controlling the opponent's movement depends on the boxer'sability to control lower body positioning and footwork that is in toro optimized by training with the cones.

illustrate the Box Ring Movement. In this movement, the ring is divided into four imaginary quadrants-. In, the boxertakes position in the center of ting. The boxerthen engages the opponentby using jabs and hooks to move the opponent to the one of the quadrants-. As shown in, once the opponentis trapped in the quadrant, the boxerbegins punching and jabbing. If the opponenttries to break out of quadrant, the boxeruses hard pivots to contain the opponent in quadrant. If the opponentis able to escape quadrant, the boxerrepeats the process to start over in a new quadrant. As a result, the Box Ring Movement effectively reduces the size of the ringto a quadrant,,, orwhich in turn reduces the opponent'sability to maneuver.

The invention provides an improved apparatus and method for training boxersto improve their body positioning, to improve their ability to control the center of the ring, and to improve their ability to control the movement of their opponents.