Boxing Training Articles
What is counter-punching?
Counter-punching is a style of its own. Some boxers use counter-punching (counter attacks) as their main strategy. A good counter-puncher can be so good at it, it is nearly impossible to get a punch thrown, let alone land one. Their timing was perfect and they know every little thing to look for to uncannily sense when a punch was coming. If, by chance, they didn't have time to react to it, or a flurry came at them, their defence was good enough that it didn't matter. They could slip, weave, and dodge anything coming his way.
But remember get two counter-puncher boxing each other and you're in for one very boring fight!!
If you want to learn to counter-punch, you have to force yourself to do the following: Never take your eyes off your opponent's hands. The best way to do this is to pick a spot on there chest and use your peripheral vision to tune into what your opponent's hands are doing. Make a mental note very early on for any tell tale signs a punch is coming. Visualise and time your punches to be thrown a split second after an incoming punch is thrown. This means exposing yourself - so you need some nerve.
Never back up.
1. Your eyes and your opponent's hands: The obvious reason for watching your opponent's hands is so you know when they are coming towards you and you can get out of the way. The first few times I was in the ring I always found myself watching my opponent's eyes. Sometimes he for casts what he was going to do with them, but more often than not he held my gaze taking my concentration away from his hands. I then could not see what was coming.
Eventually, watching their hands slowed the fight down like the Matrix. If your slipping and defence is good, you can literally see his punches coming, move out of the way, and watch them go by.
2. Make mental notes early on: If you've never boxed your opponent, you don't know their little habits so you have to pick them out quick. Everyone has their little quirks. Some people drop their hands before they throw, some turn a shoulder, some look where they are going to hit, some don't. It's up to you to pick these things out so you can give yourself a little warning that something is coming. Be careful, though, this is the art of the feint. The better boxers will intentionally forecast the intention of doing something so that they can do something else. Don't get tricked.
To do this takes practise and there are certain signs that will always be there. Shoulder muscle will tighten just before a jab for instance. You can even lure your opponent into throwing something by creating an opening for them. This is the mental part of the game where you plan moves ahead of your opponent. For instance, you think to yourself, "Self, I'll open up to allow them to throw a left hook to the body at which time I'll deliver a right to their head followed by a ..." Obviously this mental game occurs a lot quicker, but you get the idea.
3. Visualisation and timing: The ability to counter-punch relies on your ability to throw a quicker, cleaner punch than your opponent because you have less time to do it in. You will be starting to punch when your opponent's is already on its way. The essence of counter-punching is to hit your opponent when they opens them self up delivering a punch. Sounds impossible? As an example, if you notice your opponent about to throw a straight right, a crisp jab will stop him. If there throwing a left hook, one of your own will either land as well or beat him to it. If there throwing a straight right, you can throw one right back, tapping there hand out the way on the way to your target. It's all a matter of timing. You have to visualise the situations in your training and then practise them in the ring.
4. Never go backwards: Going backwards seems like a good idea because it gives you time to react, nothing can be further from the truth. You can't counter-punch while moving backwards. It's hard to punch at all while moving backwards. The best idea is to stick to your ground and never give it up. This may mean going toe to toe with someone. That's okay, get used to it. When you train, though, train in slips and weaving. Slip then punch. Weave then punch. Feint then punch. Everything you do should be followed by a punch and a combination. The best defence in the world will only be good for a limited number of punches. Eventually you will get hit. If you let your opponent deliver a six punch combination, maybe you can slip the first five, but the sixth will land. A better option is to slip one or two and then counter-punch and begin your own combination. Doing so will effectively stop his offence and put the game in your favour.
PHYSICAL EXAMPLES:
- Back hand counter after a step back from your opponents lead jab
- Lead hook to the head after an outside slip to a back hand.
- Lead hook/upper-cut to the body followed by a lead hook to the head after an outside slip to a back hand.
- Lead upper-cut to the head, after stepping in from your opponents lead hook.
- Lead hand to the head after a back hand block.
- Lead hand to the head after an outside slip to a lead hand.
- Back hand to the head after a back hand downward parry to a lead hand.
- Back hand to the head after an outside slip to a back hand.
- Lead hook to the head after a lay-back to a lead hook.
- Back hand to the body after a duck from a lead hand.
