subject: A Boxing Master Class in Slipping Punches! [print this page] A Boxing Master Class in Slipping Punches!
About Slipping Punches
Let's begin by outlining some of the benefits of slipping punches. Slipping punches offers major opportunities for making an opponent miss then making that opponent pay! By definition, when a boxer successfully slips a shot, he is within range to land any of his own shots. By continually slipping punches, ducking punches and rolling (or bobbing and weaving) during a boxing contest, it makes it very difficult for an opponent to target your head and also acts as a feint or diversion, which applies a constant level of pressure to the opponent during the fight.
It would be easy to consider slipping punches to be a reaction to a shot, as opposed to a proactive measure to control an opponent. It's not entirely sensible to wait for a shot to come in order to effectively slip it. Unless your opponent has ridiculously slow hand speed, then the laws of physics are very much against you! Slipping punches should be used in conjunction with other boxing techniques, this approach will maximise the successes generated.
Slips are a most effective defense against straight punches and uppercuts, although because of the slight drop in head height slips also offer some protection against hooks. When referring to slipping punches, I talk about slipping inside' and slipping outside'. Slipping inside means that as an orthodox boxer the body is shifted to the left of an oncoming straight shot. When we slip 'outside', the body is shifted to the right of an oncoming jab.
Have a look at the associated video on slipping punches.
The Mechanics of Slipping Punches
Slipping Inside Punches
The mechanics of slipping inside punches:
From the boxing stance, start with a push from the back foot which drives the rotation of the hips. If you think of the boxing stance being held on the face of a clock on the floor, the left hip would be in the starting position at 11 o'clock whilst the right hip would be in the starting position at 5 o'clock. After the rotation, the right hip will arrive at 2 o'clock and the left hip would arrive at 8 o'clock.
As the rotation is taking place, the lead leg (left) is bent slightly at the knee. This bending of the knee enables the hips to rotate as required. The rotation takes place around the central axis as described in the video presentation covering the right cross.
When the rotation is complete, the body returns to the starting home' position as per the boxing stance.
Slipping Outside Punches
The mechanics of slipping outside punches:
From the boxing stance, the first action is a push from the front foot which in turn rotates the upper-body slightly in a clockwise direction.The rotation of the body takes the head to the right, out of the line of any oncoming punch.
The body 'snaps' back into the starting position as per the boxing stance.
Common Faults When Slipping Punches
There are a number of common problems that can occur when slipping punches:
The boxer waits for a punch to be thrown before slipping. The chances of avoiding shots are greater if a slip is used as part of a passage of skills. An example would be to throw a jab, slip inside and throw a mid-range left hook.
The boxer bends at the waist rather than using the legs to make the upper body move. This approach very much reduces the boxer's ability to be effective in counterpunching and they are likely to be vulnerable to attack from the opponent.
The boxer moves too much to the left or right. This has the effect of a) using more energy than is necessary and b) reducing the chances of taking advantage of your opponent missing with a shot. If you make this miss, make them pay!
Slipping allows leverage for counterpunching. When slipping inside punches, it is important to think about the punching opportunities that are offered; the mid-range left hook is always good! When slipping outside punches, look at the option of the right cross or the right hook at long range. At the most basic level, slipping punches is a mechanism for avoiding punishment. When used as part of a passage of skills, slipping your opponent's punches is a very effective option for landing your own shots, and that as we all know is the basic requirement for winning a boxing match!
Have a look at the associated video onslipping punches.
