Keeping guard up

[l0rca]

Getting back into it, I've noticed that a lot of my guarding habit has left me. I don't stick my guard close enough on body blows, and my guard against a good jab is terrible.

What sort of things do you guys think I could do to get into better habits between going to practices? And specifically, what's the idea movement to block a jab?

I'm specifically talking about putting my guard up here; I know how to back out, slip, bob and weave, but where I'm going now we're encouraged to always keep our ground, put our guard up and get used to feeling them on our arms.

[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.

[lefthook25]

I myself have boxed for over 25 years and competed at the Olympic Games. I'm really shocked that the individual, "Michael Wright" says that defense is not really a boxing concept. People that don't understand the sport, think that boxing is just moving forward and throwing punches and it absolutely is not!

The art of boxing is to hit, while not getting hit. Defense is absolutely important and a good defense can create an effect offense. Some of the most effective boxers are known as counter punchers, essentially, those that wait for the opponent to throw their punch, either block, slip, paw and counterback with their own punch or punches.

As for defending a quick left jab, if you too are orthodox, simply palm it with your right hand. Anticipate the jab and palm it off, deflecting it away. That's probably one of the first things boxers learn. Work with a partner, jab yourself, have your partner palm your jab and then he jabs back at you, while you palm his jab.

You can also easily slip a jab with your head either left or right. It's all anticipation and with a little practice, you will get better.

If you are in close and want to defend punches thrown to your body or head, just tuck your arms and elbows in tight and ride the punch. If the punch is going to your body, lower your elbow and ride it. If you don't know what I mean by riding a punch, it's the following. If the opponent is throwing a left hook to your body, you will receive the punch on your right side. Just as you feel the punch hitting your elbow, ride it to the left and that deflects a lot of the punch.

Boxing is all about deflecting an opponents power and maximizing your own by making your opponent walk on to your punch!

Hope that helps!

[Tant01]

Greetings and welcome. Hope to read more from you!

[l0rca]

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:

[Michael Wright]

Originally Posted by lefthook25

I myself have boxed for over 25 years and competed at the Olympic Games. I'm really shocked that the individual, "Michael Wright" says that defense is not really a boxing concept. People that don't understand the sport, think that boxing is just moving forward and throwing punches and it absolutely is not!

I don’t blame you, I was really shocked to hear that I had said that too. Then I read my post and realised that I said nothing of the sort.

What I said, specifically, is that the notion of blocking is a martial arts concepts as opposed to a Boxing concept. I didn’t say at any stage that defence is not a Boxing concept. Everything you have written in your post, and it is a good post, about defence and counter attack I fully agree with. Footwork, head movement, deflection, counter shots, hit and not get hit, this is of course good defence.

The point I made, and I stand by, is the notion of standing and blocking is not a productive strategy in the Boxing arena. I also stand by the other main thread of my post which is that you win fights by constant attrition. I never said this had to be on the front foot and couldn't be achieved by a counter puncher, because incidently that is what I am.

I hope thats a bit clearer, and welcome.

[Ace Dutrey]

Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with you on this one. When I first read your post I was left dumbfounded but if u think about it; it is true. The sweet science that is boxing is exactly as lefthook25 has pointed out "to hit and not get hit" in the sense that evasion is preferred over "blocking" a punch or better yet "rolling with the punches". The idea is to evade and make the other man miss comes first . Now if you find yourself unable to move out of the way or somehow evade the punches THEN do you move to the second part of defense which is blocking. both of you were well spoken in this defensive conversation and both had great sound points.

[Scott Bolinger]

Originally Posted by l0rca

Getting back into it, I've noticed that a lot of my guarding habit has left me. I don't stick my guard close enough on body blows, and my guard against a good jab is terrible.

What sort of things do you guys think I could do to get into better habits between going to practices? And specifically, what's the idea movement to block a jab?

I'm specifically talking about putting my guard up here; I know how to back out, slip, bob and weave, but where I'm going now we're encouraged to always keep our ground, put our guard up and get used to feeling them on our arms.

a ideal way of blocking a jab, would be using a palm block, slip, shoulder block or parry. It all depends on the circumstances. But practices these blocks regularly and they'll come naturally in the ring. But always practice to block and counter. That i've found works best.