The primary goal when boxers step into the ring is to go on the offense to take control of the match or training session. However, landing combinations and counter punches are only part of a winning strategy. Securing victories against other experienced MMA fighters also takes focusing on and developing an effective defensive strategy.
Solid defensive skills are essential elements to a winning strategy as powerful and effective offensive attacking skills. All boxers look for ways to deliver damaging punches without having to absorb too many themselves. Quality boxing classes and kickboxing classes Austin fighters spend as much time on defense as they do on their offensive game.
Defensive Tactics for Boxing
Knowing and practicing some basic defensive boxing techniques is more than just trying to stay out of reach of your opponent in the ring. Understanding and practicing defensive strategies will enable you to become much more challenging to reach and get hit.
Among the best defensive boxing techniques and strategies to defend against a punch either by dodging or blocking it includes:
- Bobbing and weaving: Head movement is the key in this essential defensive boxing tactic. Shifting your head up and down and side to side, in varying patterns, will make it tougher for your opponent to time a clean blow.
- Slipping: Reflexively anticipating a punch, you can sidestep in either direction to avoid the strike. Done correctly, it will set you up for an offensive countermove that can catch your opponent off guard.
- Parrying: This is the process of redirecting your opponents punch with your own hands. Parrying provides an open and unprotected opportunity that you have a very short time to take full advantage of.
- Clinching: Physically grabbing or holding your opponent to make them unable to punch can be an effective defensive strategy. Holding your opponent will frustrate them and take them out of any rhythm they had.
- Rolling: There is a reason the phrase “rolling with the punches” became such a popular idiom and one of those phrases whose origin is self-explanatory. Twisting your body away from a punch will “soften the blow” (another popular expression with boxing origins) form your opponent.
- Cover up or duck down: Use your arms and gloves to protect you from blows to the head or body, or duck out of the way of a punch.
Defensive Boxing Strategies Take Agility and Excellent Reflexes
Agility and good reflexes are crucial to the execution of a good defensive strategy in the boxing ring. Boxers know that winning takes more than just brute strength and the ability to hit someone hard. Strategies and lots of training go into the boxing classes Austin fighters use to improve their boxing skills and tactics. The best offensive strategies work most effectively with a solid defensive strategy to back it up.
The Boxing and MMA Gym Austin Athletes Love
John’s Gym offers boxing and MMA classes for Austin athletes at all levels of ability. From beginners to veteran fighters, John’s Gym provides an encouraging and welcoming atmosphere. Classes available include:
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- Boxing classes
- Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu
- Muay Thai Kickboxing
- MMA
- Kids Jiu-Jitsu
- Women’s Only Self Defense
John’s Gym also offers free MMA classes for Veterans Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6 pm.
If you are interested in fine-tuning your fighting skills, get in contact with a member of our team to find out how, when it comes to boxing, Austin athletes recommend John’s Gym!