Lesson 8 of 11 · 9 min
Defence
After this lesson: Use the four basic defences and come back ready to punch.
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Not getting hit is half of boxing. Defence starts with the guard, and then four basic moves: block, parry, slip and roll. Each one keeps you close enough to punch straight back, and that's the point: defence and offence are one move.
Block: the hook lands on your glove, not your head
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Parry: redirect the jab with a small tap
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Slip: move your head just off the line
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Roll: go under the hook
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Pull back: just out of reach
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Keys for every defence
- Block: glove against the side of your head for hooks, elbows in for body shots. Chin down.
- Parry: a small tap with the rear glove pushes the jab off line. Don't reach out for it.
- Slip: a small bend at the knees and waist moves your head a few inches off the line of a straight punch. Inches, not feet.
- Roll: bend the knees and dip under the hook in a U shape, coming up on the other side.
- Pull back: shift your weight onto the rear leg to take your head just out of reach.
- Eyes open, on the opponent. You can only defend what you see.
- After every defence, punch back.
Slip and counter: the heart of boxing
Animation: red glove is the lead hand, blue glove is the rear hand.
Try it
Defence shadowboxing
- Picture an opponent in front of you. When the caller says “slip” or “roll”, do it, then come straight back to your stance.
- Numbers are your counters: slip-2 means slip, then throw a cross.
- Keep your eyes forward the whole time, hands up.
3 rounds · 2 min work · 60 s rest. Clear some space and turn the sound on.
Get ready
0:10
Combinations will be called here
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