Avoiding Punches

For a boxer, satisfaction comes from a punch hitting something, the opponent’s head, torso, shoulders, arms, gloves, just about anything. A punch that does not hit anything does not give any satisfaction, it fact it causes dissatisfaction; it is discouraging to not have a punch hit something. Therefore, if you can prevent your opponent from hitting you, even if you do not hit back, the opponent will feel beaten.

There are numerous ways to avoid being hit by a punch. These methods have been tested in the ring over many decades and they work.

Slip

Slipping is moving your head and/or torso out of the way of a punch. It is best to slip toward the side the punch is coming from, either by sliding the head toward that direction or leaning from the waist either backward or to the sides. This way, you are out of range of a follow-up punch with the other hand. Do not dip the head forward of lean forward; that is just begging to get hit.

Slipping only involves a slight movement; you want the punch to miss just barely. The reason for using only a slight movement is so you may conserve energy and stay in position for a counterattack. Slipping to the outside makes it more difficult for the opponent to make a follow-up attack; however, there will be times you want to slip to the inside of a punch, such as slipping to the inside of the jab and then countering with a hook to the body.

Some slip by rocking the upper body at a 45-degree angle to the left or right of a punch while leaning slightly forward. Some add a step to the slip to help setup for a counterattack. 

To slip a jab

There are three basic ways to slip a jab and launch an attack. The first is to move to your left, letting the jab go over your right shoulder as you fire a left shovel hook up into the opponent’s face. Follow up combinations may include a right to the body, a left hook to the body (while moving in), or a left hook to the head while the opponent is backing up.

The second slip for a jab is to move to your right, the jab moving past your left ear over your left shoulder. This exposes the opponent’s body and, since the guard will likely be low, you may fire a right to the body followed by a left hook to the head. This slip may also give you an opportunity to move in close.

The third slip for a jab is to move to your right, parrying his left hand with your right, and then moving straight in. Stay upright and apply pressure to opponent’s vulnerable side. Make the parry a hard push the back of the left arm so the opponent is pushed off balance. Any number of counters may be launched from this position

To slip a cross

For the first slip against a cross, ensure you have a glove in front of the left side of your face for protection. Southpaw fighters like to hold their right glove like a catcher’s mitt in front of their face. Orthodox fighters should protect their face with the left hand, but the motion is to slip down and to the right. The right hand is then fired over your left shoulder.

In the second slip against a cross, slip to your left and, as the right cross crosses over your right shoulder, dig a left hook to the body. Push the back of opponent’s right arm to keep opponent balance, spin the opponent, and then move in. Keep opponent off balance with outside weaves by pushing the back of the arm that threw the punch.

To slip a left hook

This may be the most important punch to learn how to slip, since it is the most dangerous punch. Many times fighters will try to lean back to avoid a hook, but that can be a disastrous mistake. Keep your right hand at your right chin, the thumb pressed against the jawbone. When the punch comes, weave under it, but do not lean over, keep your eyes on your opponent’s face. From the crouch of the weave, spring back with a combination to what is exposed.

Parry

The parry is basically a slight wave of the hand used as a defensive move against straight punches, usually against the jab.

Using a simple parry

From your guard, using your trailing hand, slap the opponent's fist just before it reaches your face. Slap horizontally from right to left (orthodox stance) or left to right (southpaw stance). There is a slight downward motion, but avoid exaggerating the downward motion and do not go beyond the opposite side of your face; you do not want your opponent's punch to get tangled with your other arm. Simple parrying is effective when the attacker's movements are large and badly directed. Remember to use just enough deflecting motion to protect the threatened area.

Using a semicircular parry

As you parry, sweep away the strike in a semicircular motion, bringing your hand back to the guard position. A semicircular parry is most effective against high attacks directed to a lower target, or low attacks directed at a higher target.

Using a circular parry

As you parry, sweep away the strike in a circular motion, bringing your hand back to the guard position. The circular parry uses a lot of motion, but against the right opponent, it may move the opponent off balance. Stay relaxed so the arm swings easily.

Weave

The weave is similar to a dance movement; it is simple, elegant, and effective. It works best against hooks and wide punches.

Using the weave

If your opponent throws a hook, slightly dip your body to the inside of his punch (similar to a slip), then bend your knees and roll under the punch, so that it goes right over your head. You are now on the outside of the punching arm. Rise up into your normal stance. The weave looks as though you are making the letter “U” underneath the punching arm. Remember to keep your guard up while weaving.

Practice

Relax and practice moving smoothly and effortlessly. Train with a slip bag or with a partner while using focus mitts. Train until avoiding becomes an instinctive reaction rather than a conscious movement. If you make a conscious movement to a punch, you will be too late in your action and you will get hit.