“The high boxing guard is great for using in close to protect your temples and jaw”
The boxing guard is one of the very first things you will learn when you start to box. Once you have learnt how to stand properly in your stance and can move, you need to make sure you pick a guard that suits you and your style.
If you don’t have quick hands, you need to make sure you stay protected in the ring and can fend off incoming punches.There are many different types of guards that fighters use and perfect for their own personal style.
In this quick tip video I explain just 3 of the many guards that are available in boxing and show you how to use the guards to protect yourself from incoming punches
The High Boxing Guard
– This is like the basic guard, but you need to keep both hands up higher than normal. Keep your chin down and use your arms and gloves to block incoming punches. The high guard is perfect to use when you are in close to protect your temple and jaw from hard shots. But when you are using the high boxing guard, watch out for body hooks as you do leave your lower body unprotected. You need to practice dropping your elbows down to block these shots.
The Basic Boxing Guard
– This is the standard guard that most people learn when they start boxing. You will still need to watch out for body shots and drop your elbows down to protect yourself when necessary. Likewise you may need to lift your arms and gloves to protect punches coming in high towards your temple.
The Philly Shell
(the Mayweather style guard) – This guard is great to use when you are caught against the ropes, a perfect base to defend and then throw your own punches. If you are using this from an Orthodox stance, keep your right hand up to protect your face. Leave your left hand down and use your left arm to protect across your body and use your left shoulder to protect the left side of your face. From this position (with practice) you can actually use your left shoulder to parry punches. If you want to see a master of this guard at work, just watch a few of Mayweather’s fights.
When you first start boxing, make sure you learn the basic boxing guard first and that you feel comfortable using it and defending yourself. I would definitely encourage you to try as many different guards as you can in sparring, so you can get a style of your own. I prefer using the low-hand guard which is similar to the Philly Shell boxing guard, but I will show that guard in more detail for you in a later post.
Related posts about the ‘Boxing Guard’…
The Boxing Stance – How to Box (Quick Video)
The Boxing Stance – Coach Cornelius Carr
3 Basic Guards in Boxing – A Coaching Lesson – How to Box (YouTube)
What’s The Best Punch Bag For Boxing?