I am a beginner and yesterday I sparred a defensive fighter for the first time. It was very awkward. I found that I did one of two things: Either I jabbed (effectively) but didn't follow up, or I charged in with a combination and found myself off balance. I don't understand how to transition from the outside to the inside safely. When my coach is holding the mitts for me I have good balance. I rotate properly, I don't lean, etc. It's totally different when I'm not starting from that position though. Any advice? What helped you the most as a beginner to learn how to transition from the outside to the inside? As a taller fighter, should I avoid the inside position all together? If so, does that mean I'm always limited to just throwing jabs and short combinations, then escaping?
It isn't good to think of yourself only as an "outboxer" or an "insideboxer", the best fighters mix things up and aren't one-dimensional. Sugar Ray Robinson is one example. There will be times when you should stay on the outside and times when you feel you can finish the opponent quickly and find an opening. When you jab, after a while you should try a 1-2 or a 1-1-2 combination. The 1-1-2 is very versatile, you can throw 1 to the head the other to body and then the right or two to the head and the right to body endless possibilities. I'd say that since you say that your a tall fighter, you should jab to feel your opponent out then throw some 1-1-2 and 1-2's at the opponent in between the jabs and when you feel you've put the opponent off balance/staggered him/ruined his pace/rhythm then go in for a flurry then repeat. I've never boxed before so don't take my advice too highly.
that jab is your transition from outside to inside. you are closing gap with that jab! and when you are inside, your legs must be paralel, like when playing defense in basketball so you can punch with both hands equally and balance is better. you can be inside if you are taller, even then you have some advantages check this article, there is some good things that might clear it up http://www.expertboxing.com/boxing-strategy/boxing-styles/how-to-beat-a-shorter-boxer
I've only ever had sparring experience and never actually fought, but when I was faced with a guy backing up I just stepped in with my gloves up and head down, let him step back (as he had been doing) and stepped with him again at the same time as deciding whether to throw the straight right to the head or body. It kind of worked but I didn't execute it too well.
Thanks for the tips guys. I enjoyed that article, it reinforced the notion that being a tactical boxer isn't about feeling pressured to brawl. It's ok to sit back and jab, even if it's not a crowd pleasing style. I'm 5'8 at 126lbs Featherweight. Would you consider that a "tall" fighter, or just average? By the way, I certainly don't mind getting advice from guys who haven't fought. If you've sparred a lot, I'm sure you've picked up some tricks, and theory is still theory. It's worth a shot.
I would suggest watching videos of Buddy McGirt and James Toney, particularly Toney of the two fights with Anthony Hembrick. What you are looking for his how they close distance and pull inside with the jab. When you pull in behind the jab, you are tucking in behind your left shoulder, getting it into the opponent's chest. You DO NOT want your feet parallel-squared up- unless you are keen to get hit with uppercuts and like to be knocked off balance. Keep that shoulder turned in as it protects you from uppercuts and right hands. Watch Julio Cesar Chavez, the father; even he, noted for his left hook maintains that left shoulder forward. But I digress. Watch the two fighters above and you'll see how to close distance behind a jab.
Does anyone else agree/disagree with keeping your feet parallel (horse stance) when inside? I find that interesting, because that's not what I do right now.
of course its not always situation for parallel stance.. what grey said is much better strategy then mine, but it also requires very high skill level and timing. squared stance inside is some of the basics i learned in my gym, and of course it is done with defense movements when coming forward, is not recommended for tall fighters when fighting shorter. and of course, squared stance is best done when punching from angle, not straight forward because you will obviously eat uppercuts like grey said.
Thanks. I'll try both stances and see what works for me, but I'll try stepping off at an angle before I go into the horse stance. This will actually help a lot with another problem I had, which was knowing how to attack an opponent against the ropes.
Master stepping in, out, and to the side behind a stiff jab. If you keep your head behind your lead leg/knee, you'll stay on balance. [yt]R78hdxpRfws[/yt] Some of this might be more complicated than you need right now as a beginner, but just watch his posture and balance as he jabs.
When you step in with a jab, should you be stepping out in one motion (never bringing the back foot with you) or should you step in with the jab, and then step out instead of throwing a second punch? The first movement is a little quicker but it limits what you can do off the jab. It's hard to throw anything else with your feet so wide, or move fast. It basically means all you're doing is throwing that one jab. If you step in with the back foot as well though, your stepping out is much slower, so if you don't land your jab you're more likely to get hit back, or closed on. Thoughts?
