Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Wright  I'm not sure in what context you are being taught this, but the notion of training to block anything, especially a jab, is not really a Boxing concept. This sounds like a martial arts approach to Boxing, taught all too often, to the detriment of the art.
If you are using your hands or arms to block with, then you aren't using them to hit with, which means you are losing the fight. Professional or Amateur, the goal is constant attrition, either to score points or secure a KO. If you concern yourself with blocking or covering up then this invites your opponent to engage in an attacking flurry that will either rack up points, cause the ref to step in, or put you down - depending on the rules and the levels.
The first with the most is the best, thats the bottom line. Blocking and covering is a martial arts mentality, which in the Boxing arena will leave you second, and subsequently last. |
It's being taught in the context of kickboxing, but it's not the kicking part I'm having trouble guarding--it's the punches.
I am used to simply not being there, or moving out of the way, but I'm being asked where I'm going now to work on absorbing, "riding" the punch. I'm being asked this during striking drills--one guy jabs, hooks, etc., the other counter-punches.
I haven't had a chance to spar there, where I'll be sure to play with range and will still prefer not to be there, but I see the value in riding, as everyone finds themselves cornered, or otherwise caught, and needs to be able to blunt off the attack.
Similar to this clip, especially 41 seconds in: