Can anyone recommend any exercises (outside of sparring) for helping to cut down distance i.e. getting close to an opponent without having my head jabbed off? Its probably my weakest area but I can't spar at the moment for 2 broken ribs.
Make him come to you. It's by far the easiest way. Other than that just draw his jab and smother it by slipping right and sliding in. Basically ram him in the armpit with your shoulder. Don't let him tie you up, hit the body and come up with an uppercut. Outside of sparring, a slip line is your best bet. Easy on the broken ribs though.
I agree, aside from sparring, the slip rope is the best way to get you used to moving forward while avoiding punches. One exercise that might help is getting a mobile partner to try to escape, throwing nothing or only jabs while you try to corner him.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6gKQrrrDIo&list=UUx9YJ7fTpXjoAqZKFPBUtAw&index=2&feature=plcp[/ame]
have your trainer move as an opponent would while doing mits and work on it from there, make him come to you sometimes you dont always have to chase him. if you have a good trainer that knows what he is doing with them mitts this shouldnt be a problem
