I've seen some conflicting videos and received conflicting advice at the gym regarding slipping technique. Some sources advocate bending at the knees and changing elevation in addition to moving the head laterally. Others advocate minimal vertical head movement. I've actually had a couple people say that knee movement should be minimized, but most reliable sources refute this. Anyways, can you guys provide some feedback regarding appropriate slipping technique? Thanks.
My trainers always told me to slightly bend the knees and slightly twist your waist and slightly move your head. all of these slight movements will be enough to slip the punch. By slight i do mean slight. The reason for bending your knees is to change your "height" so the punch is above your head a bit, the move of the torso is make the punch go over your shoulder and you move your head Not out of the way but to keep your eyes on the opponent.
Bend your knees. Slipping is done from the waist down. But at the end of the day, if he misses you it's always gonna be a good thing.
Off subject but, I think training for slipping is overrated. It is an awesome concept to understand as you develop, but it seemed to develop naturally/organically. Once I began to master timing and distance slipping came naturally. Guys just started "barely missing" because I could "see" where the open shot, anticipate their shot and know where not to be. All of this AND position myself to fire without thinking. I guess my point is trying to "scientifically" slip is always trumped by "artistically" slipping. When you can do it? It just happens. Head movement/preemptive slipping is a different matter, but again, you can "slip" right into shots.
The most important thing to remember about a slip is the whole point is to counter, majority of the ways fighters are taught to slip nowadays (planting feet and loading a side while bending knees or doing the half step back or half step forward style) is obviously a very shitty idea if your planning on being a good counter puncher, use these slips when youve been caught out and miss interpreted your opponent to save yourself n maybe land a point scoring counter here and there but never rely on them as a priority, why? For a start slipping this way makes you very predictable, you can be timed easily, caught accidently during an exchange because you missinterpreted what was going to happen like a 1-2 while expecting just a jab, your head returns to start after the slip, well done average joe has knocked you down by pure luck. Next important thing is slipping this way stops your from being able to control range, if you cant control range you cant control when and which slip your going to counter from, your opponent controls when your able to counter instead, your countering depends upon a flawed opponent. What i consider to be the most important reason to not slip like this is due to the fact it puts you in a hole, say you try to slip a feinted jab, he times your head and puts a punch where he knows its going? what can you do to evade this timed punch? go back to where your head started before the slip?, thats very predictable.. what else can you do? take your feet with your head with the initial slip so you have a whole lot more choices on what to do with yourself and where to go afterwards if hes trying to feint you into position. Lets not forget to mention that the slip should also be about loading the selected counter punch to its best potential. which would otherwise be difficult to do without the opponent being all caught up throwing a shot, you cant just load up your biggest shot and hit a boxer, no chance. your trying to work with him, get him to throw one while your winding a nastier one to send back, thats all your doing.
What bald head slck says is also important, the difference between head movement and a slip is the intent, head movement is to move around safely more defensive, slipping is a tool used for an attack you have in mind or a weakness youve seen to be exposed.
