for each finger and only the top joint shows. A pad of leather about an inch thick and three inches wide is held in position by thonging. If thonging was done right it will prevent the other thongs to ride up and show on the surface area. If this happened it could cause a laceration to the face when the boxer punches (Harris).
             Every precaution was taken not to cut the boxer's face, but clearly a boxer's face shows that every precaution taken did not always work (Webster 55). The thonging method was carried up past the wrist and ended in a piece of sheepskin rapped around the forearm. The purpose of thonging so high was to allow the boxer to wipe the sweat off his face so it would not run into his eyes. Tennis players today use something similar to this (Harris 23).
             They still say that Greek boxing allowed only blows to the head. No doubt blows to the head were more exciting, but the Greeks knew the exhausting effects of constant attacks to the body. They were even more exhausting. Vase paintings showed boxers using an open hand and a downward blows which suggested they used the side of their hand like a hammer. It was even possible that kicking was allowed (Harris 24).
             Training methods that the Greek boxers used were they wore ear guards and used padded gloves for practice. The ear guards were not worn in competition. Another training method used is shadow boxing, which was a favorite method of training in antiquity (Harris 24).
             The medical writer, Antyllus, gives this advice about shadow boxing. "The shadow boxer must use only his hands but also his legs. Sometimes as if they were jumping, at other times as if they were kicking." Antyllus also left full instructions for the punching ball, which are "for weaker men the punch balls should be filled with millet or flour. For stronger men, it should be fi
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