As a boxing trainer, I really do love the simple skills. Simple works. 90% of what the very best boxers do are the basics, they just do them very well.
This latest in the series of 90 Second Boxing Tips videos looks at the lay back, an awesome defensive/counterpunching skill used regularly by such skills demons as Floyd Mayweather Jr, Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran. Ali used the lay back especially after his 3 year exile what he danced just a little less!
From a mechanical point of view, this is really simple and straightforward. There are 2 basic steps:
1. From the boxing stance, simply bend the back leg.
2. To complete the skill revert back to the start position.
Told you, we are not exactly splitting atoms here. It’s simple, clean and very effective when done right.
Key Points
1. What really matters is your range in relation to your target. This is a skill for long range.
2. I always think that this skill is most useful when it is deployed as the middle skill in a sequence of 3. So, thin ‘Trigger – Layback – Shot’. The trigger (to ‘trigger’ your opponent) can be a punch or a feint. This approach let’s you really leverage the skill for counterpunching. This for me is where Mayweather Jr, Ali and Duran are all expert at this skill.
Common Faults
There are 2 common faults when using this skill.
1. Be aware of your lead hand dropping. This is a long range/edge of range skill so there is not much room for error. That lead hand dropping can lead to some big bombs coming your way AND landing!
2. Isolate your back, do not bend at the waist. If the opponent keeps on driving through with shots you can find yourself with nowhere to go…literally!
Floyd Mayweather Jr, Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran. Not bad company to keep that is it? This is one of the boxing tips that I think is really useful and in fact is one of the first 6 or 8 skills that I teach new boxers.
Any questions or comments can be left below. You can check out a slightly longer version of the lay back training video here.
Cheers
Fran
by 
Coach frank layback technique is fantastic feinting a jab then lay back is all good i can counter with a straight right with ease but i have a question everytime i throw jab with power and then lay back i fell awkward i am doing something wrong, i hope you could help me fix my technique and get better results with lay back technique thx again coach
No Armando, it just takes time for it to feel more natural. The more you do it the less awkward it will feel. Drill, drill, drill.
Thx for your reply Coach
Actually I saw a video fo yours and I found About how to avoid punches and hit back, You talk about mechanics and kinda throw the jab with less power to duck, I mean you rotate hips and bend the knees (orthodox) a little bit you dont fully commit with ducking or punch? I just kinda have this question on my mind
Yes, you can vary the power of the shot. Point is when you throw the jab you will always do a movement; duck, slip, layback etc.
Grazie del video,effettivamente si tende ad andare indietro anche con la schiena quando si carica sulla gamba posteriore..Grazie
Hi Fran,
Great video mate!
I find that when I do the layback my back foot’s heel tends to pivot in bringing my knee out..it actually feels like pivoting my leg out on the ball of my back foot facilitates with the back leg bending..but I notice your foot stays still. Do advise against any foot pivoting during the leg bend?
Cheers mate
Hello Jamie
Thanks mate. No I don’t. Whatever allows you to execute at speed AND deliver the counter works just fine. I tend to encourage boxers to vary the position of the back foot in all kinds of situations. As long as you stay on the ball it’s fine. Front foot, 45 degrees at all times.
Cheers
Thanks for your speedy reply and such great advice Fran!
All the best mate,
Jamie
Fran, Great stuff as usual. Ever thought about moving to Burlington, Vermont, USA ? It would be really great to train at your gym.
Take care,
Harry
Hahaha. Hmmm. Burlington, Vermont. Sounds lovely. Who knows hey Harry 🙂
Hey Fran, you got good stuff rather training, i had to defend myself
at a Oakland,Raiders game, and your advice helped me win a fight
that would of gave me problems, i kept a tight defense and i kept
moving until my opponent lost his balance and i Counter Attacked
until he was on his back defense less. Thank you send me a physical
address and i can pay you by Money order for Feb 2016 send info
to email
1-2-2016 how much is it monthly?
Hey Jason
That worked well then 🙂
Sign up to the free videos on the home page, you’ll get all of the information you need. Payment is one off, not monthly.
Great vid. thanks Fran. Is it okay to step back a few inches with the back foot when doing the layback?
That’s absolutely an option Bill (you wouldn’t need to bend the leg but it is very slightly less of a ‘flow’ to loose the countershots).
My only worry with the lay back is the incoming opponent throwing a double jab who is quick on his feet. One reason why I feel Amir Khan had the best chance against mayweather. But I guess after the lay back you automatically comeback with a shot like the back hand. I guess you could pivot from the second jab. Thoughts?
Hey Justin
Yes there’s always risk, but doing the layback at long range and going passive after it is asking for trouble, as you rightly point out. Always fire back, be proactive. There could also be a lay back – slip then hook for something a bit different. Deffo a basis for counterpunching for me though Justin.