Defensive Technique - THE 'SHELL' ... good or bad?

[Be_kind_rewind]

don't you have two different defensive positions in the first post. it looks like may weathweather is not using the shell. But the one mayweather uses is the one i prefer because I favor left hooks and i feel comfortable throwing it from that position.

[Vitez]

isn't this what Haye uses?

[frosty-g]

the one mayweather is using there- it has it's place, especially for close quarters but relies on fast reactions and faster hands if you intend to counter without getting hit.
most people would be far better off keeping a good stance/close guard- then you shouldn't let any shots slip through, have both hands free and in position for intercepting shots/countering and the hands have less distance to travel for headshots. also, if they leave from head height for your punches and come back to head height (pretty much a horizontal plane) then it is hard to anyone to get a shot in over the top of yours and your shoulder should be covering your chin without too much effort.

[cja07007]

I think keeping your gaurd high and tight is very effective. the problem is people will get stuck in it alot. sometime you might let people put up flurries and just keep that shell up and not respond with your offense. Its a good thing to keep in mind to avoid.

[RurouniYume]

as you said, works for some not for others. Its good to be a well-rounded fighter

[DeadlyOverhand]

I dont like it because it restricts your vision so much and I hate not seeing where punches are coming from.

Having said that though I use it quite a lot especially when Im on the defensive.

Have you tried it yet because I use this defense and it betters by vision compared to the conventional defence. pick up lead shoulder, rear hand and side of face(by temple), elbows tucked by sides of body, and lead arm across belly how does that restrict your vision

[DeadlyOverhand]

i love sparring guys who like to cover up! you think your covered but the side of your head isnt and alot of the time its when its easiest to land my liver shot

Me to, I was sparring this one dude and he had a really high guard, so I walked him down to the corner and was just tapping his guard with a couple of punches and then BOOM dropped him with my liver shot

[Chip2006uk]

Have you tried it yet because I use this defense and it betters by vision compared to the conventional defence. pick up lead shoulder, rear hand and side of face(by temple), elbows tucked by sides of body, and lead arm across belly how does that restrict your vision

Thats the philly shell you are talking about, this thread is talking about the defensive shell, shelling up, in other words a high tight guard.

[DeadlyOverhand]

Thats the philly shell you are talking about, this thread is talking about the defensive shell, shelling up, in other words a high tight guard.

OH!! My bad I read it wrong I just saw Shell and I automaticaly thought Philly Shell.... my apoligies

[sevenone]

I think keeping your gaurd high and tight is very effective. the problem is people will get stuck in it alot. sometime you might let people put up flurries and just keep that shell up and not respond with your offense. Its a good thing to keep in mind to avoid.

I agree I think it's important to thing of defense in a couple of different ways. How can your feet help you? How can countering help you? and How can simply blocking help you? Furthermore if youre just blocking with no constructive plan of getting yours in, it's not defense but rather just a matter of time.