Beat Your Opponent – Practice these boxing techniques
A good boxer is constantly analysing their technique. We often hear the phrase ‘Practice makes perfect’, I like it but I prefer to go one step further – ‘Only perfect practice makes perfect’. It’s all too easy to develop bad habits and there’s no value in continually training an incorrect technique. Some boxing skills which seem fairly basic are often overlooked – we need to be sure include them in our training sessions – and perfect them.
And there’s always room for improvement by adding new skills, new ideas or new variations. We all need to resist going through the motions when boxing training. A training session should always be a challenge and a learning process.
I’ve created some boxing tips to give you some food for thought and be a prompt to practice or be aware of in the gym. If you’re like me, you’re busy and pushed for time – these tips are really quick. In total – 20 boxing training tips in 4-minutes. I’m sure you’ll find them useful.
Boxing Training Tips – Part I
#1 – Don’t slip too far – For maximum efficiency you need just enough movement to miss the punch. Any further movement than is necessary isn’t only a waste of energy it puts you off balance and can open you up for a counter punch.
#2 – Don’t look at the floor – This is a common mistake. If you’re rolling under an opponent’s punches, keep looking straight ahead, don’t look down. This way if your opponent throws any punches you will see them coming. It also means you can spot gaps to throw your own counter punches
#3 – Opening up the body – Forcing your opponent to bring their guard up can create an opening for a hard body hook. Try getting in close and throwing some light tapping hooks to the side of their head, this should make them raise their guard – giving you the opportunity to strike to their body.
#4 – Keep them guessing – Vary that jab! If you only use one type of jab your opponent will wise up and know what’s coming. Make them respect the jab by vary the speed and power. When using the power jab, keep your shoulder tucked in, and with the soft jab just ‘tap’.
#5 – If you’re on the ropes – don’t panic! If you tense up, your body becomes more rigid and you won’t move properly – the key is to remain fluid and be a hard target to hit. This is a good technique to practice with a partner.
#6 – Rolling under the hook – Use the momentum from rolling under an opponent’s hook to wind up your own hook. Practice this in one complete movement. Make sure you turn your body at the end of the roll and bring the hook in.
#7 – Jab on the move – When throwing the Jab – don’t just stand still, if you just use a static jab you’ll eventually become easier to hit. Keep moving back and forward when you’re jabbing.
#8 – Feint the Jab, Right Hook – Feints are an important part of boxing so make sure you’re adding them to your sparring, you will be surprised how well they work.
#9 – Bring your punches back to your face – It’s basic but discipline yourself to do it. Your guard needs to be automatic to aid your defense.
#10 – Step back and throw the Hook – Another good counter punch to set up when an opponent is coming at you. Step back but leave your front foot, as come closer hook your shot in.
Boxing Training Tips – Part II
#1 – Boxing Combination – Jab – Sneak Punch or Screw Shot – Right Cross. Use it sparingly and it’s a great combo to catch your opponent off guard with a sneak punch and finishing off with the right cross. Make sure you ‘slip’ before throwing the sneak punch.
#2 – Backhand Uppercut – Draw them in! Use their momentum to make your punch harder. Tapping with the jab often draws people in, lean back as throw the Uppercut through their guard.
#3 – Make sure your chin is down! – There’s always a natural tendency to lift the chin, especially when throwing big hooks. Look through your eyebrows, and keep that chin tucked in for protection.
#4 – Feint – Cross to the Head – The body feint can be effective in bringing down the opponents hands – this will create space to land a right cross.
#5 – Practice shots to the body (with body bag) – training body punching can often be overlooked, but they are great to wear down your opponent. Hit the body and the head will usually follow.
#6 – Parry Counter – In my opinion one of the most important boxing techniques you can learn. It’s the ‘bread and butter’ skill for the amateur and pro boxer. Practice.
#7 – The ‘Power Sneak Punch‘ – It’s a power shot thrown from an awkward angle to break through your opponents guard and catch them unawares. If you get it right, it can be a knockout punch.
#8 – Keep your hands high when opponent is throwing hooks – If you can’t duck under the hook or move away – make sure you maintain a high guard to block your opponents hooks. BUT be aware with a high guard, your body will be left open.
#9 – Overhand Right vs Straight Right Hand – Both can be a knockout punch if delivered correctly. The difference is the angle towards the opponent’s head. You’ll see the overhand right in MMA as its so hard to defend against.
#10 – Step back and throw the Hook – Another good counter punch to set up when an opponent is coming at you. Step back but leave your front foot, as come closer hook your shot in.
We’d love to hear how you get on with these techniques. If you’d like me to expand on any technique in the videos, feel free to leave a comment below – and we might include a more depth article in the future.
Happy Training!
Cornelius Carr
former BBBofC British Super-Middleweight & WBF World Middleweight Champion
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