Is keeping your hands "up" near the ears unnecessary?

[jmrf4435]

It seems like a waste of energy. I understand not having your hands at your hips but I don't really understand how it's advantageous to have hands near ears like some traditional trainers have their boxers do.

I think it takes power away from punches and expunges energy. I really don't see much where boxers save themselves from getting hit by this method, I believe footwork is the biggest aspect to having good defense. I think it also opens boxers up to body shots.

Yes I've boxed before. I felt I wasted energy and couldn't throw 100% power with my hands in that position all the time.

What say you?

[The Gambler1981]

It keeps a guy from eating full power shots, when fighting dangerous opposition trying to hurt you it is wise to limit risk as much as possible. Also if a guy has long arms for their size it allows for really good coverage of the whole scoring area.

Plus if you are good at it you can punch out of that stance quicker than bringing your hands up first then punching.

Footwork is important for staying out of danger areas for long stretches, a guy keeping their hands up is for going into dangerous areas or when they end up in danger areas.

[jmrf4435]

"Footwork is important for staying out of danger areas for long stretches, a guy keeping their hands up is for going into dangerous areas or when they end up in danger areas. "

Wouldn't most good boxers go right to the rib cage if a boxer keep coming in with his hand up like this??

[The Gambler1981]

"Footwork is important for staying out of danger areas for long stretches, a guy keeping their hands up is for going into dangerous areas or when they end up in danger areas. "

Wouldn't most good boxers go right to the rib cage if a boxer keep coming in with his hand up like this??

Well the person going to the body might be worried about getting hit in the face, because going to the body opens up their head. If you are forcing someone to go one way setting up a trap for them is much easier.

Plus if the person has long arms the guard is going to make it tough to really get those body shots in clean if the guy is paying attention. Someone with short arms has problems, but short arms is a pretty large issue for most boxing situation.

[Ray*]

If you have the reflexes to avoid swinging arms then maybe not, but your luck would ran out some day. And then you would probably be laid out.

[jmrf4435]

"If you have the reflexes to avoid swinging arms then maybe not, but your luck would ran out some day. And then you would probably be laid out. "

I feel like arms at chest level would be most effective. You could block to the body and head according to attack. Floyd does this

[daggum]

some boxers keep their hands up by their ears, some like to let them dangle, and some keep their hands on their opponents. thats slick boxing just ask andre ward.

[Real King Kong]

Are you saying hands literally on the ears...like on the sides of the head? Who teaches that?

[jmrf4435]

"Are you saying hands literally on the ears...like on the sides of the head? Who teaches that? "

Every gym and training session I have been to the trainers are teaching this. Not puched back by the ea put as high in terms of hands/wrists level with head.

[jmrf4435]

Are you saying hands literally on the ears...like on the sides of the head? Who teaches that?

It also distorts vision in some ways. And influences boxers shelling up.