Getting better at slipping/blocking punches? (Defense in general)

[moneymayforever]

How do I become better at defense? Of course I need to work on speed when attacking, but I just can't slip or block punches. Or I'm lacking defensive skills in general. It's been 2~3 weeks since I joined my new gym, and got started on my sparring again. I never, ever practiced slipping and blocking before I joined my new gym, will it take time to get used to the punches? I also blink when the punches are coming as well If anyone can give me pointers that would be great!

[Young Money]

Why don't you ask your coach? You said you never practiced them before joining this gym, well less Internet forums and more practicing sonny.

[fvanesbeck]

How do I become better at defense? Of course I need to work on speed when attacking, but I just can't slip or block punches. Or I'm lacking defensive skills in general. It's been 2~3 weeks since I joined my new gym, and got started on my sparring again. I never, ever practiced slipping and blocking before I joined my new gym, will it take time to get used to the punches? I also blink when the punches are coming as well If anyone can give me pointers that would be great!

Try doing padwork and having someone hit you when you're not punching....?....doesn't have to be a coach, just another boxer in your gym.

[Walt Liquor]

lets start at the beginning,


do you slip, parry, and block in your shadow boxing? and do you shadowbox in front of a mirror?

[moneymayforever]

he told me that i'll get used to it if i practice sparring. But there must be some other things I can do. And yes, I shadow box in front of a mirror.

[King of Sting]

Try doing padwork and having someone hit you when you're not punching....?....doesn't have to be a coach, just another boxer in your gym.

I was gonna suggest the same thing, but, I wanna add more to this...

But based on the info the thread starter has told us...

1) It's been 2~3 weeks since I joined my new gym, and got started on my sparring again.

2) I never, ever practiced slipping and blocking before I joined my new gym, will it take time to get used to the punches?

3)I also blink when the punches are coming as well

... Personally, I wouldn't even have him think about learning defense. Since he's a complete noob, he needs to focus on a few things at a time. My suggestion would be to focus on getting the punching technique down, footwork. Keeping his chin tuck, hands up before and after he throws a punch are kind of intro to defense anyway.

Once he masters the basics of offense(probably a good 4 to 6months) then it's time to learn defense. Like you mentioned, I would have someone do the pads with him. I would start him slowly though.

1st - I would have the pad holder and him stay stationary and both of 'em standing at punching range.

2nd - I would teach him how to defend each punch(I'd start off w/ parrying, blocking and then the bobin' n' slippin'). Start off with jabs, and so on. I would then pick up the intensity of each punch, each round the punches coming faster and harder.

3rd - Once he gets the idea of how to defend each punch. I would then have him defend the punches thrown in combinations, instead of one at at time.

4th - Now that he's gotten the hang of defending punches in combinations. I would have him and the pad holder start moving about the ring while defending the punches.

5th - And then I would introduce him to the art of counter-punching, and this would lead to actual sparring.

** The eye blinking issue is more mental. He just has to force himself to not blink and keep his eyes open, because the first punch is usually a set up shot.

Of course, all these steps will not mastered in one day, the drills can all be done in one day, but, to truly get the hang of it, I'd say, practice steps 1 thru 4 for about 3 to 4 weeks.

[moneymayforever]

thanks guys. today i just did some sparring 6 rounds and I managed not to blink as often and keeping my chin tucked. though i still have to work on slipping, the coaches told me i'm getting better at blocking/slipping punches. guess i'll have to practice more. i'm also working on my techniques as well. again, thanks everyone.

[Mohammedini]

I was gonna suggest the same thing, but, I wanna add more to this...

But based on the info the thread starter has told us...

1) It's been 2~3 weeks since I joined my new gym, and got started on my sparring again.

2) I never, ever practiced slipping and blocking before I joined my new gym, will it take time to get used to the punches?

3)I also blink when the punches are coming as well

... Personally, I wouldn't even have him think about learning defense. Since he's a complete noob, he needs to focus on a few things at a time. My suggestion would be to focus on getting the punching technique down, footwork. Keeping his chin tuck, hands up before and after he throws a punch are kind of intro to defense anyway.

Once he masters the basics of offense(probably a good 4 to 6months) then it's time to learn defense. Like you mentioned, I would have someone do the pads with him. I would start him slowly though.

1st - I would have the pad holder and him stay stationary and both of 'em standing at punching range.

2nd - I would teach him how to defend each punch(I'd start off w/ parrying, blocking and then the bobin' n' slippin'). Start off with jabs, and so on. I would then pick up the intensity of each punch, each round the punches coming faster and harder.

3rd - Once he gets the idea of how to defend each punch. I would then have him defend the punches thrown in combinations, instead of one at at time.

4th - Now that he's gotten the hang of defending punches in combinations. I would have him and the pad holder start moving about the ring while defending the punches.

5th - And then I would introduce him to the art of counter-punching, and this would lead to actual sparring.

** The eye blinking issue is more mental. He just has to force himself to not blink and keep his eyes open, because the first punch is usually a set up shot.

Of course, all these steps will not mastered in one day, the drills can all be done in one day, but, to truly get the hang of it, I'd say, practice steps 1 thru 4 for about 3 to 4 weeks.

Dude he trained in another boxing gym for 9-10 months.
His former gym was absolutely horrendous.
His coaches refused to teach him defense, never corrected him, threw him in against a 21 year old guy in AM match when he had only sparred 3 times.

MMF, you'll get better at it.
Remember to be relaxed and loose when you try to slip punches or use head movement.
It is nearly impossible to do it if you are stiff and tense.

Shadowbox with head movement and do a lot of light sparring with people in the gym.
It is really effective to get comfortable with blocking, getting rid of nerves and to train head movement.

[Juof]

Double end bag helped with my slipping and blocking start off by throwing a jab then block or slip the ball as it bounces back at you as you get better you can throw combos move in and out of range side to side etc