The Boxing Slip
Corney’s Corner
step by step boxing advice
Tips from former BBBofC British Super-Middleweight & WBF World Middleweight Champion – Cornelius Carr
Learning to slip in boxing is absolutely essential. I am a great believer in boxers learning great defence. I don’t believe boxing is just who can hit the hardest, it is about skill and it is about outwitting your opponents. No-one likes being hit, so I make sure I teach everyone ‘to box’. To learn a solid foundation of defence as well as attack. From bobbing and weaving, slipping, parrying and fighting off the ropes, I make sure I give them every possible chance to enjoy sparring once they achieve this level of defence. There is nothing worse than watching a complete beginner being thrown into the ring to spar, when they don’t know how to defend themselves. It’s unfair on all involved and can result in injury.
Checklist for the ‘Boxing Slip’
- Drop your left shoulder and move your head to the left.
- Keep your left hand up to guard your chin.
- Rotate your torso slightly counter-clockwise.
- Drop a little in your stance and keep a bounce in your legs.
- Keep your eyes on your opponent.
Slipping is a great defensive technique. Without very little effort, this slight movement can leave your opponent off balance and wide open for a counter attack. The trick with slipping is “small movement”. Sometimes when students initially start they tend to throw their heads away from the punch (completely understandable). However, the further you throw your head, the more off balance you are likely to be. You also open up a larger angle to your opponent and this can sometimes offer them a second shot. So keep the slip movement to the absolutely minimum, the closer you are to their punch the better.
It is a good idea to practice the boxing slip technique with a training partner. This enables you to judge more accurately the range of motion and your partner will be able to see if you are doing it correctly. Once you feel comfortable using it, take it in turns to defend and attack (with gloves on). The attacker needs to jab and throw right crosses, parry the jabs and slip the crosses. If you are the attacker, make sure you don’t become predictable, and keep the punches fast and light.
Related posts …
The Boxing Stance – Coach Cornelius Carr
Boxing Sit Down – Coach Cornelius Carr
Low Looping Body Shot – Coach Cornelius Carr
Elbow Blocking – Coach Cornelius Carr
Using the Turning Shoulder Roll – Coach Cornelius Carr
The Cross – Coach Cornelius Carr
The Sneak Punch – Coach Cornelius Carr