Boxing Combinations a la Tyson!

If, like me, you grew up watching a young Mike Tyson cut a swathe through the heavyweight division in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, you will have noticed the speed at which he followed up his jab with subsequent hooks.

Take for instance the Tyson demolition of Larry Holmes.  The boxing combination that signaled the beginning of the end for Holmes was a step in with a jab and a crashing right hook to the jaw.  What was more impressive than anything was the fact that Larry regained his feet at all after that shot, even if he was allowed only a short stay of execution.  Tyson’s speed and accuracy was chilling.

A sign of a great fighter is this ability to be out of range one second, then in the flap of a hummingbird’s wing be in range and unleashing killer shots.  Tyson did it then, Pacquiao does it now.  There is a knack to it though, and in this article I want to give a brief introduction to the process of combining the jab with the hooks.  I’ll present the combination below, then read on for a useful little insight:

1. Throw the Jab combined with the move forward
2. Throw the mid-range right hook
3. Finish with mid range left hook.

Some Things to Note…

• Rather than throwing the jab at precisely ‘long range’, get a little closer (somewhere between long range and mid range; check out the article on Range Finding in Boxing for more information.)  By getting that little bit closer, this means that the jab will strike further through the target leaving you slightly closer to a hurt opponent.
• The jab provides the leverage for the crunching mid range right hook.  Because you’ve got slightly closer following the jab, you can extend the right hook that little bit further.  This means that you’ve been pragmatic and flexible in your attack, just like Tyson and Pacquiao!  You’ve combined the requirements of long range and mid range to deadly effect!
• The final left hook is the ‘icing on the cake.’  You’ve hurt the opponent and following the right hook you’ve provided yourself with massive leverage to launch the final hook…Kapow!

So we’ve ‘tweaked’ range, finding intermediate ranges in order to get the job done.  I hope this has prompted some thoughts on effective boxing combinations, please let me know if it has by posting a comment or question below!

Cheers

Fran

About the Lead Hand Outside Parry

For all you southpaws out there, this is a slick little defence that will add a deadly variety to your work when commanding the ring against an orthodox.  You can open up a world of counter punching opportunity by prising open the defence and ‘unleashing hell’ in the form of deadly power shot attacks.

If you want to get really flash, you can parry and strike with the same hand…this is for the ‘pugilistic professors’ out there, Floyd Mayweather eat your heart out!  The reason that I’m emphasising the benefits of this defence is that quite simply you can force an orthodox jab off to your left and what you are left with is an incredible field of opportunity right through the centre of a gaping defence.

Now, before all of you orthodox fighters start to feel neglected, don’t.  This defence will not only assist in overcoming those ‘right hand crazy’ orthodox opponents that you may sometimes meet, but if you want to truly understand how to box against a top performing southpaw, you’ll absolutely need to have the full complement of lead hand defences including the lead hand block and the lead hand inside parry.

Why is this?

Because a good southpaw will constantly launch attacks down your left hand channel (often in the form of multiple southpaw jabs), so if you have no idea how to defend effectively and provide yourself the platform to launch damaging counter attacks, then you might as well forget victory!  Additionally, you can bet your last penny that a southpaw will have these defences off to a tee.

Enjoy the video, then check out the mechanics and common faults.  By the way, I’m going to describe this boxing technique from the viewpoint of a southpaw in my written description, even though I demonstrate (mostly) from the orthodox position in the video.

The Mechanics of the Lead Hand Outside Parry

Let’s look at how we execute this boxing technique:

1. From the boxing stance, initiate the defence by ‘thrusting’ from the front foot.  This thrust provides the energy to rotate the upper body in an anti-clockwise direction (or clockwise if you are an orthodox.)  This rotation will leave your upper body aligned to the opponent.
2. Toward the end of the rotation, the lead hand ‘loops’ over the top of the incoming punch so that your palm is on the inside of the wrist of the opponent’s arm.
3. As the body returns to the original starting position of the stance, ‘prise’ the shot off it’s original trajectory, deflecting the shot to your right (or left if you are an orthodox.)

Common Faults of the Lead Hand Outside Parry

1. Exaggeration.  Do not exaggerate the actions of this boxing technique.  The point is to defend yourself against an opponent’s shot, not to leave yourself wide open to incoming leather.  Be economical and be direct.  Don’t reach beyond your defensive zone (as described in the video.)
2. Use a firm arm because if it’s weak then the opponent’s punch will drive on home anyway!
3. Always use a counter punch and punish that sucker for daring to try hit you!  If you don’t, then it’s an opportunity lost and winners don’t miss opportunities!  A good counter punch to use?  Try the back hand (straight right/straight left) as the leverage is built up perfectly during the execution of the defence.

And there it is, a simple defence that is pure gold if you want to know how to box against an opponent with an opposing stance.  Leave any comments or questions below.

Cheers

Fran

About The Lead Hand Parry Inside

If you are a half-way experienced orthodox boxer, you will be very used to employing the boxing techniques of blocking and parrying incoming shots with your right hand or your “back hand.”  The reason for your familiarity is simple really, based upon the laws of average and statistical probability, you are far more acquainted with an incoming orthodox jab than any other punch, and the natural defence against this shot is is a back hand block or parry.

Now I’m not a gambling man, but I would wager that  using your lead hand boxing defensive techniques is not nearly as comfortable an experience as using the back hand defences.  So, it has to qualify as a weak point that requires a simple and reliable solution, because when you meet a decent southpaw or an orthodox fighter who’s gone ‘right hand crazy’, an effective lead hand parry is often the difference between victory and defeat.

The simple fact is that to be a success at boxing, you are going to require boxing techniques that limit the weaknesses in your boxing style.  The ability to defend both channels is a must.  You know what I mean by channels?  Quite simply, you need to be able to defend against shots coming in along your right hand channel (for instance an orthodox jab or a southpaw straight left/back hand) or your left hand channel (a southpaw jab or orthodox right hand.)  Body movement is great, but using blocks and parries enable a much more direct and aggressive strategy to be used.

So, why use this lead hand parry inside as opposed to for instance the lead hand block?  Well, we’ve briefly covered the use against an opponent with an opposing stance, but aside from this I am convinced that using this defence can actually knock an opponent off-balance and leave them dangerously exposed for your counter-attack…it really is a top  level defensive boxing technique and will be a very useful addition to your counter-puncher’s arsenal.

OK, watch the video then take some time to drop a question or leave a comment.

The Mechanics of the Lead Hand Parry Inside

Simple mechanics to describe for this counter-puncher’s special:

1. Push of the front foot (holding the feet still) in order to rotate your hips in a clockwise direction.  Your upper body will broadly be in-line with the opponent.
2. During the rotation, the lead hand (with the palm open) travels the few inches from it’s guard position to make contact with the outside part of the wrist of the incoming shot.
3. There is a definite push off your lead hand, assertive and very direct.  Aim to actually push the opponent off-balance without over-committing.
4. The lead hand returns to it’s guard position.

Common Faults During the Lead Hand Parry Inside

There are a number of commonly observed faults when this boxing technique is executed:

1. Don’t reach too far for the incoming shot.  The last thing that you want is to leave a big opening in your own defences when defending a shot…it just doesn’t make sense!!!  It is very easy for the opponent to vary the angle of their punch as it’s on the way to you and that big opening could be the end in the ‘blink of an eye.’  Be economical and keep the defending hands in a sensible spot (imagine a pipe or tunnel going from your head to the opponent’s head and work in and around this tunnel.)
2. Don’t allow this to become an ‘arm only’ defence.  Make sure that the initial thrust off the front foot provides the leverage to allow the required deflection of the incoming shot.  This is especially important if the incoming shot is a powerful orthodox back hand.  The rotation also puts you in the perfect position to respond with your own shot, so….
3. …Always throw a punch back!  Using this defence provides a superb counter-punching opportunity.  Always take advantage of opportunities, because they don’t come along that often!

And there we have it, a great defence.  Think about combining this with long range right hand shots e.g. the right cross, the long range right hook or the long range right uppercut.

I hope this has helped, let me have any questions or observations below.

Cheers

Fran

Boxing Hand Wraps – All Wrapped Up!

 
Before we look at the video on wrapping your hands, there is a golden rule that I must make as plain and clear as possible. Never, ever hit a punch bag without appropriate hand protection. Don’t even be tempted to have a little pop as you walk past. The damage that you can do if you don’t have hand wraps or bandaged and protected with gloves is immense.

I’m not talking about nasty little cuts and abrasions here, I’m talking about disintegrated knuckles and shattered metacarpals where the damage is so grave that the hand is permanently disfigured and will never function properly again.

There is a range of options available when it comes to hand protection (I’ve provided a selection at the end of the article), none of which are going to break the bank, so there’s no excuse for not avoiding pain and problems. Hand protection is covered in the main by the following options:

• Boxing Hand Wraps
• Crepe Bandages
• Gel Under Gloves

Boxing Hand Wraps

In the following five minute video I explain exactly how I have been protecting my hands for more years than I can remember by using boxing hand wraps.  Hand wraps are a modern progression of the old fashioned crepe bandage.

Hand wraps consist of very tightly woven fabric and are available in a range of colours and are specialised pieces of kit designed for combat sports such as boxing, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Hand wraps include a loop or ‘partial glove’ at one end (to provide the anchor point to wrap the hands) and a Velcro fastener at the other end, allowing a speedy application. Wraps tend to provide a higher level of protection than crepe bandages and would not ordinarily require the addition of sponge layers to improve protection.  That is not to say that you couldn’t put a crepe bandage on underneath a wrap in order to double up your protection.

Go for the longer version of the wrap, that’s 5 yards (4.5 metres).

Check out the video then you can read on to find out about using the crepe alternative and indeed the gel under gloves.

BE ADVISED:  If you compete in amateur boxing, and depending upon the country in which you compete, you are only able to use specific brands of wraps during competition, and you certainly cannot use crepe bandages or gel under gloves.  Your trainer/coach will be able to advise. Of course in the gym you can use whatever you want 🙂

OK, let’s have a look at the other options for hand protection.

Crepe Bandages

If rather than boxing hand wraps you decide on the option of crepe bandages, there are a few things to consider. Bandages are available at pharmacies/drug-stores and are very hard-wearing. You can have any colour, so long as it’s white, and you should avoid purchasing the basic cotton version as there is no elasticity in these and they really can become quite uncomfortable on the hand.

It’s helpful to make a small incision at one end of the bandage to allow the thumb to be threaded through (the equivalent of the loop on the boxing hand wrap); this makes the process of wrapping the hands easier.

I have always found that a bandage of 3″ (7.5 cm) width and 5 yds (4.5 metres) in length is perfect. The length is important because the ideal way to wrap the hands is to feed the bandage in between the fingers and some way up the wrist. As described in the video, feeding the bandages through the fingers prevents the bandages riding up the hand when hitting the bag, thus avoiding leaving the knuckle area unprotected.

Gel Under Gloves

Finally are the modern gel-filled under gloves (overleaf).  This type of hand protection has become more common in boxing in recent years.  They are a more expensive form of hand protection, and although their use has become more common, the hand-wraps remain more widespread in boxing. Under-gloves tend to be marketed as a convenient alternative to bandages or wraps, so there may well be compromises in terms of hand protection.

I would suggest that if you are going to try these types of gloves, ensure that they fit the hand perfectly. If there is any movement of the glove across the hand, then it is highly likely that significant friction-type injuries will be caused to the knuckles.  Whilst these injuries are not terribly serious, they can be very annoying and troublesome over time.

I’d also be concerned that the many stitched joins could be a source of weakness where damage could occur.  My personal preference remains hand wraps or bandages; gel-filled under-gloves have yet to convince this traditionalist.

On a final note, I will again emphasis the importance of protecting your hands – they need to last you for the rest of your life. Gloves alone are not enough. Repeated blows against a heavy bag, or the even more implacable maize bag, are going to put big stress through your hands. This is especially true as your technique improves and the power develops.

Take protecting your hands seriously and enjoy bag work without increasing the risk of causing lasting damage to the ‘tools of the trade’.

If you have any comments or questions then let me know below.

Cheers

Fran

PS – Here’s a link to an article with some useful insights and options regarding hand wraps – https://www.hayabusafight.com/blogs/community/choosing-the-best-boxing-hand-wraps