We are not told how the Greeks taught boxing; perhaps it was in the same way as they taught wrestling, by a sort of drill. Boys in the palaestra had their ears and heads protected with ear-lappets (ἀμφωτίδες or ἐπωτίδες)^[734] or caps. The former are represented on a marble head formerly in possession of Fabretti (Fig. 149).^[735] They closely resemble the ear-caps worn by modern football players, and were probably made of padded leather. On the vases a close-fitting cap is often represented (Fig. 17). Such protection was used both in wrestling and boxing, but only, it seems, for practice and by boys, never in public competitions. Boxers kept themselves in training by light sparring with open hands, which was therefore known as ἀκροχειρισμός.^[736] An example of such sparring may be seen on an early black-figured hydria in the British Museum (Fig. 150), or on the kylix in Fig. 151. In default of an opponent they practised “shadow-fighting” (σκιαμαχία),^[737] just as a modern athlete will practise in front of a looking-glass. The statue of the famous Glaucus represented him “shadow-fighting” because of his skill in the use of his hands.^[738] This form of practice was also known as χειρονομία, or hand drill. Sometimes a κώρυκος or punch-ball was employed (Fig. 179).^[739] An exercise much recommended for boxers was digging, and the pick (σκαπάνη) was therefore regarded as the badge of a boxer.^[740]