Iv been sparring against a guy who uses and walks around in the shell. Its getting to a point where i hesitite on throwing punches because i get counter so quickly. I try to be patient and use my jab to get him to open up and for me to get a chance to counter him while he has a normal guard. But man i get so frustraded.
Feints. There's a good number of things you can apply, but will only succeed through practice and time. Depending how accurate and complete your opponent is, you should try angles and find out what he's not comfortable with. Don't be afraid to take a little punishment to see what gets him to open up or over commit to the point where his defense is counter productive.
Double your right, double your hook, double your jab. Pound his arms and shoulders. Make him lead if possible. Throw the left hook downstairs-overhand right-left hook combo and reverse it. Basically be unpredictable with your offense and avoid being too close on the inside. He wants you close so he can counter with the short right and get it back quick.
This. Also step out to his left- you cut off your attack but also his, so throw and move right. If you can turn southpaw that ****s up that style a bit. He's just playing a better game then you if you understand his use of distance then you'll crack that style,..... To a degree
Jab, right hook to the body. Straight right to the body. If they are not properly covered, try a right over the top. Or as another user said, switch southpaw, and throw that straight left to the body. If you're up against a guy like Rigo...you're ****ed.
Instead of targetting the head where they will deflect using the shoulder, target the shoulder exactly. After a couple of hard shots on their shoulder, it will start to hurt them and they will reluctant to use it. Also use left hooks since all they can do on a left hook is block. Try to close the distance too. That's what I was thinking when trying to break that defense.
The jab is key, pump it out and feint with it so you can close the distance while making them hesitate. If you're tall, hang back with it a bit and pump it in volume. Then you can explode with a combination and hop back out before he can throw too much. If you're short, step into the jab and make yourself very tight as you weave in with head movement. Body-head combinations, be creative with switching from left to right. Keep your chin tucked so any counter you do eat doesn't get you out of position to throw. When you do get close, use angles on him. One move I used against a guy like that in my gym once I cornered him was to pivot to his left side, and throw a combination of right-hand up top, left hook to the body, right hand up top. Usually they're planted in the corner trying to roll. This way you can kind reach over the shoulder and you're out of reach of the right, while your body is pressed up against the left. If you stay low on the inside it becomes more difficult to predict when and what you're throwing. When he throws the right to counter, bring the left glove up high and smother it before going back to the body. I don't agree with this advice. Aiming for the shoulder will just leave you exposed to his shots with even less risk for him than usual. If a person uses the philly shell, it's because they don't mind taking shots to the shoulder. On the inside, if you're a hard puncher, it might be a good strategy to throw a hard one there to stiffen it, but that is not going to get you any success. Additionally, left hooks are blocked or easily leaned out of the way of, and then leave you in a position to be hit by the right hand since your left has already been fired, hooks need to be set up by jabs and body punches and aren't the most important punch.
Box him while circling, a Phily Shell user's best day is if he fights an opponent that stands right in front of him. Throw jabs while circling and avoid moving in, keep your range. Reason being is because the philly shell is probably the best, basic defense to use against aggressors. If you are in the same stance (ortho vs ortho) time his jab. Ask yourself, does he jab fast or slow or is his tempo mixed (fast and slow). If he is always fast, i guarantee his power shots or counters are the same speed. If his jab is slow, test the waters to see if he counters fast, then you have his tempo (mixed). Now when he jabs, slip out and throw a right hand at the same time (splitting). If he throws a right hand, slip and jab him at the same time (splitting again). Keep your hands high, especially if youre at a speed deficit and on top of that, if you cant figure him out, you want to have a precautionary guard so that it is easier to catch shots you see at the last moment. Also, DICTATE the movement. Dont let him walk you down or dictate the pace, thats your job. In order to kill off a counter puncher, kill his opportunities (dont stand in front of him, dont run in, dont follow his tempo or his pace)
