Being the aggressor in boxing is really hard. It requires lots of energy and carries lots of risk. Boxing is designed for defense, just like in any form of combat the defender often has the advantage. If that defender has a height and reach advantage, this adds to the challenge of the attacker.
In this video we are going to focus on breaking range and closing the distance in a boxing ring. We are going to examine 5 tactical tips that you can employ in your training, sparring and fighting. There’s a bit of everything here, from feints to combos and from smart defense to explosive footwork.
Feint and Go
The feint is the ultimate non-punching method of applying pressure in a boxing ring. The feint is also a really effective way of triggering the opponent, of getting the opponent to act. The key is getting the opponent to act at a time of your choosing.
There are 3 types of feint in boxing; the hand feint, the body feint and the foot feint. The key thing about the feint, whichever feint you use, is that less is more. Be subtle, but really sell it.
It’s also important that you execute the feint at the right range. There’s no sense doing a feint when you are 6 foot away from your opponent, unless your arm is 6 foot long. Execute the feint at edge of range or long range.
In response to a feint, the opponent might jab, try a hook or a back hand, or they might cover up. Unless they back away at pace, regardless of what their response is – ATTACK!
The Walkdown
Closing the distance doesn’t have to be explosive, it can be a gradual process. This is about the application of consistent pressure by advance. “Walking them down” or “standing on their toes” we call it.
This is not just a case of walking forward, solid defense as you advance is critical. Using variations of blocks and parties are key to this approach. Remember, if you are blocking punches, you are in range. If the opponent is slightly taller than you, then you may need to do a small step in. However, when you are blocking punches, you know you are in range, so throw your own punches back.
You can use the double arm block, block hooks to either side, or use parries and blocks to the straight punches that come your way. Be active, you do not hide behind these defences, you launch, aggressive attacks from behind them.
Jap, Slip and Punch
If the walkdown is about relentlessly closing down the opponent, then this technique offers both an explosive option and a cunning option. We are going to use the jab, slip, punch technique, and whether you go for explosive or cunning all depends upon the type of slip that you use.
The first option is our explosive option. We use the jab, inside slip and left hook with a move forward. This is a sequence that is reminiscent of Iron Mike Tyson. Make the jab, powerful, or fast, or even make it a feint, then combine the inside slip with a move forward and finish with the left hook. High speed, high aggression, high power.
The second option, the cunning option, involves combining the jab with an outside slip and a move forward. So we are combining three skills. The key to success with this tactic is efficiency; less is more. You do not need to cover a lot of ground and you do not need to slip too far off the centreline. You break range ready to land that big right hook.
Slip, Hook and Roll
With this one, just think Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Gradual advance with slips, hooks and rolls. So this is kind of ‘blunt force trauma’. You are using the slips trigger the opponent and to load up on those hooks. The big thing here, and something we always want to assure, is defence with attack. So, keep the head moving, the more slips the better.
By all means use some pile driver jabs. But, at the heart of this strategy is being on the edge of range, and at long range, drawing the lead with your head movement, and countering with hypersonic hooks. After the hook, roll with the punch, and then you can always add desert with another hook off that roll.
Under the Radar
The final tactical tip is all about flying under the radar. This works really well against a static opponent and even better against an advancing opponent. Combine the duck with the move forward, and that sounds simple, but it does take a bit of getting used to.
I think that using a good, solid jab as the starter for this sequence is really effective. The punch momentarily blinds the opponent, gives them a bit of a shock and could fix them in position. Make your nice sharp movement in with your duck and deliver your message.
I hope you have enjoyed this video and article. If you have, let me know in the comments below. Also, if there’s any additional ideas you have on closing the distance in boxing, please do let me know.
Cheers
Fran
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