Boxing defence is difficult to learn. Boxers who want to hone their boxing defence strategies have a difficult challenge ahead of them. This is because most of it results from the automatic interpretation of the opponent’s body type, shoulder and head movements, and reactions to their footwork, among other cues.
The difficulty in mastering this is that it requires engaging in sparring. You sustain injuries if you carry out your actions improperly. Repeated blows to the head are bad for your health, especially your brain (helmet or no headgear). Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disorder brought on by concussions or repetitive strikes to the head, can result from frequent punches to the head.
Defense in Boxing – Techniques and Drills
There are several methods for holding a guard, including the Philly shell and peekaboo. You must discover the strategy that is most effective for you, but the less protection your hands provide for your head, the more you must move and stay alert.
However, there is an interesting trade-off in the visual aspect, where the more you can see what your opponent does, the less protection you receive from your hands. The more you can see through, the more you can react. Decide on a balance that is right for you. Some of the tactics to improve your techniques and drills are given below:
Jump Rose:
Establish a relaxed leaping rhythm for yourself. As the rope descends in front of you, cross one hand over the other. Alternately cross one arm over the other while you hop. Uncross your arms once again as you pull the rope behind you.
Jump normally, but rotate your arms in the other way so that the rope is moving in the opposite direction. Try to raise both of your legs as high towards your chest with each jump. You are put through a strenuous jump rope exercise in this drill.
Clinching:
A combatant who wishes to keep their distance will be greatly hindered by someone shutting them down. However, clinching offers a great way around the regulations, allowing them to stop short-range offence and force the referee to stop play.
It’s not exactly regarded favourably, but Mayweather was unaffected by it. When necessary, don’t be afraid to break the rules. After all, boxing is a sport.
Managing Distance:
Ringcraft and this go hand in hand. If your opponent is good at ranges, you want to spend as little time there as you can. You need to be where you are strong and where your opponent is weak. Your ability to regulate distance will provide you a tactical edge.
A completely legitimate (and nearly failsafe) defence against any attack is to back up. You can’t misuse this ability, but being out of range means absolute safety. If you take too much of a step back, the judges will perceive this as shyness and will penalise you.
Sparring:
Since sparring simulates the tempo and feel of a real fight, it is a crucial component of boxing. Sparring helps acclimatise the body and mind so that it can better adapt by simulating real-world combat situations.
Guillermo Rigondeaux, a multiple-time gold medallist for Cuba at the Olympics, is infamous for practising only on defence. His defensive strategy is so good as a result that he is practically invincible.
Feinting:
A boxer may pretend to strike one section of the body before striking another. It is anticipated that by tricking the adversary, a chance may arise to land a solid punch. The goal of feinting is to fool an opponent about your next move by employing a variety of body components, including the eyes, hands, torso, legs, and facial expressions.
Boxing Defense Tactics to Outsmart Your Opponents
You become fluid and nimble in the ring when you have the art of smooth mobility. and develops fluid foot patterns. You may practise several dance styles to hone your rhythm, agility, and footwork skills. There are several techniques to avoid being punched when one is thrown at you. You can use your hand, arm, elbow, or shoulder to deflect the blow.
Ducking:
Knees are swiftly bent, and a modest forward lean is used to complete a duck. The main benefit of dodging or slipping a punch (as opposed to blocking or parrying it) is that you keep both hands free and are thus prepared to counterpunch.
Moving to the inner line is the correct approach to avoid a punch. In other words, turn your head to the right to avoid getting punched in the right. And turn your head to the left to slip a left. You are therefore in an excellent position to counterpunch.
Weaving:
Bobbing and weaving is a good defensive strategy for avoiding blows since it enables you to land a powerful blow. Although mastering the bob and weave punching technique requires practise, the defensive and offensive benefits it provides make the effort worthwhile.
If you’re bobbing and weaving, change your posture. It won’t take your opponent very long to figure you out if you keep using the same moves. When bobbing and weaving, always keep an eye on your opponent’s chest.
Parrying:
A parry is a rapid, brief tap with your wrist and hand that deflects the inside of an approaching blow. This might make your opponent more exposed, which would present an opening for you. Depending on the sort of jab that is being delivered at you, there are two options to block, pick off, or parry it.
From the correct stance position, extend your left arm sideways just far enough to knock or brush the jab to the outside if it is delivered directly from your opponent’s shoulder.
Blocks:
This boxing defence strategy is to block the punch with an object, such as a glove, forearm, or elbow that will take the force of the hit. The pressure of a hit, such as when your glove places against your head, will be felt but not the pain.
Keep your eyes on your opponent while keeping your elbow pointed downward. Make sure your glove and face are completely connect in order to avoid injury. You’ll wind up hitting yourself if you don’t.
Sidestep:
Another vital defensive move to master is stepping to the side of the punch. If you’re battling a bigger opponent, slips are more effective than blocks, but taking a lot of them from a big man drains your energy.
You may truly take advantage of aggressive fighters who overthink their strikes by using evasive techniques like sidestep exercises. Furthermore, it is annoying to throw punches that miss their target.
FAQs
Q1. What is Rule #1 in boxing?
Ans. The fighting law states that fighters should not trip, hold, kick, headbutt, bite, shove, or spit. You can’t use your head, forearm, or elbows to hit. Only closed-fist punches counts in the fight; you cannot strike with an open glove, wrist, or backhand.
Q2. What is an 8-punch?
Ans. Jab, cross, hook, uppercut, overhand, shovel, bolo punch, and haymaker are the eight punches in boxing.
Q3. What is the strongest punch technique?
Ans. The uppercut is the most powerful blow you can deliver, but it performs best when it precedes by a jab and cross.
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