Thread: Partner drills

People who aren't ready for those can try the simple jab-catch-jab and cross-roll-cross drills. We warm up Training Circle practices with these, with lots of movement.
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in both of these, man A and man B square off in a standard boxing stance.
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-jab-catch-jab:
Man A feeds a jab AT the chin/mouth/nose of Man B.

Man B catches the punch with his rear hand. He does this by turning his rear hip forward just an inch or so, and also keeps the elbow of his rear arm in tight to his ribs for structural support to soak the catch - as well as to protect his ribs. When Man B does this, he twitches his head an inch or so to the side, to move it more speedily behind his glove. Man B should watch Man A throughout the movement, and look at him with his eyes just over his defending glove.
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Man B then quickly returns a jab directly at the chin of Man A.

Man A catches the punch just as Man B did, above.
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Man A refeeds his jab after the catch.

Man B, Likewise Catches the punch
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at this point Man B begins the drill as Man A.



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Cross-Roll-Cross

This drill is very similar.
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Man A feeds a cross at the chin of Man B.

Man B turns his hips, rollings his front shoulder forward, turning on his front heel - as if he were snapping out a jab. He's turning so that the cross should land on his rear/lateral deltoid. His chin is tucked behind the shoulder, protecting the neck and protecting the boxer from a k.o. chin shot. The movement should also take him slightly out of range, dissipating the force of the incoming cross. (Man B should be careful not to turn so far as to show his back to his opponent, as this will open up him up for wrestling/ju-jutsu style counters.)
As Man B rolls his front shoulder forward, his front hand will move from a raised, lead hand guard position to a lowered, position, protecting his ribs and solar plexus. His rear hand will come forward near his front shoulder, and help protect his mouth and that side of his face from the incoming cross.
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Man B then uses his torqued position to throw his own cross at Man A's Chin.

Man A, likewise, catches the incoming punch on his front shoulder by rotating it forward as if he had thrown a jab.
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Man A Refeeds a cross at Man B

Man B Defends with a shoulder roll, and then restarts drill as Man A.
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On each segment, the feeder should count off. This called cadence. Cadence will increase both your rhythmn and your concentration. Rhythmn will make you fast and strong, and allow you to disrupt the other fighter's rhythmn. Clear minded concentration is the fuel that feeds every technique.

These drills open themselves up to lots of play. I'll post some of the others we do if you guys have an interest. They've made me far more confident with my stand up game already.

Keep in mind, every punch is aimed at your partner's mouth. The man starting the 3 part drill (man A) is the one that decides the distance. Just like in real boxing (ideally) don't throw jabs at hook range, step out to jab range, then throw. If the man steps in too close before throwing his jab, and you are defending, then maintain distance as you slip/catch the punch. These drills train movement, distance, evasion, blocking, and attacking/counterattack. great drills.