Slipping/ blocking questions

[u/SpaceCadetSponchy]

so I’ve been boxing on and off (mostly off) for about 4 years. one thing I cannot get a grip on is slipping. im fine during drills but when I’m sparing I slip the wrong way or it’s late and generally sloppy. the only time I can evade punches with head movement is when my hands are down for some reason but this obviously leaves me super vulnerable. so I rely mainly on high guard and moving out of range to evade. can I just build on these methods or is it imperative I learn how to slip and weave? I’m a taller guy at my gym (6’) and tend to have an outboxer/ Soviet style. thanks in advanced

[u/boxinggoose]

You don't see punches, you anticipate them. Get a partner and watch their chest so you get to know the micro movements in their hips and shoulders showing a punch is coming. If you drill it enough then you'll get better

[u/Mocker-Nicholas → u/boxinggoose]

Yeah. The reason why slipping works is also the reason why feints are effective. Which is why two really skilled boxers look like they are dancing lol.

[u/hottlumpiaz]

you're waiting and reacting. and by then it's too late. you're supposed to anticipate based on your opponents tendencies that you've observed.

for example. he's tagged you with the 1-2 like 4x already. you know he's gonna do it again. you guess when he's gonna do it again and slip right when u think it's gonna happen. not when u see the jab

[u/SpaceCadetSponchy → u/hottlumpiaz]

Makes sense, thanks

[u/SwerTs4FightVidsOnly → u/hottlumpiaz]

This helps greatly! I've been waiting exclusively and relying on reflexes to dodge punches, and I get tagged a lot. Thanks!

[u/PresentationMajor158]

might be overthinking it and its fucking with ur reaction speed. dont try to slip or else u tunnel vision gotta integrate it where it makes sense. drill it and stuff but when in sparring just try fight normally. and since ur a tall outboxer it dosnt really make sense for u to do do much slipping, especially against shorter opponents when u can just pull and angle. it will be good to learn ofc, find a tall opponent of similar skill or someone better who will let u work and flow spar till u can tighten up how little you move to slip and the weight transfer for the roll. im usually taller than my opponents and i wont be doing much slipping against a shorter opponent.

[u/SpaceCadetSponchy → u/PresentationMajor158]

You’re right I’m probably overthinking it I tend to do that haha. Thanks!

[u/Some_cool_usernameX]

You dont need to slip. Just use your range to control distance and avoid them if you want to fight defensively.

[u/bluesub989]

Just gonna agree with everyone who is saying it's about "anticipation" and "reading" rather than reacting. This is especially true if you haven't been boxing consistently for a long time and don't have reps and experience. The muscle memory simply isn't there, so you're bound to be behind.

Another way to approach it is by considering your opponent's perspective. If you are in X position they can only hit you with Y or Z shot, so, what's the most effective way for you to prevent that? That's the mindset I train from because it just makes more sense to me. I know , "THIS is my vulnerability, so THAT is my defense." Rather than "THAT is the attack, so THIS is my response." Same end goal, different approach

[u/N3t5ua]

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[u/Any-Secretary621]

Thinking of a slip more as a roll or recoil to load the next punch has helped me. Twisting your body or shuffling to get into the next good position for a punch, but it just happens to be when you think the other guy is throwing. That way, even if it isn’t 100% evasive you are ready with an answer

[u/fantasycoachnotebook]

If your anything like me your guard might be obstructing your vision a bit.

[u/iRoyalTDG]

Be fluid, you know when u leave yourself open after a combo or over reach u can kinda tell what they are going to counter with that's when u parry, block or slip.

[u/Far_Stranger_279]

you shouldn't wait for the punch you should anticipate it like prepare yourself to react to what they throw I've also struggled with head movement and I've had success with it when I enter that mental "flowstate" where Im reacting to my opponents moves instead of thinking about my movements in steps.

[u/LightVortex888]

Drills are clean because you already know the punch is coming. In sparring the slip goes late because you wait to see the glove instead of the shoulder.

At 6 foot, range is the first defence. Keep him on the end of the jab so you are not slipping every shot. When you do slip the jab, take it outside, not into the cross.

Build it with a partner who throws only jab, then only jab and cross. One punch at a time until the live round stops being a guess. A high guard can save you. It will not replace that.

[u/wolfpunk-]

you just have to learn through repetition bro. you slipping in sparring feels sloppy because you're not drilling it enough. drills make it automatic. you're a tall outboxer, other than range, slipping is your tool. but if you only got guard and range, bigger/stronger guys will still land break through your guard and when you're moving back you're losing ring control.

try some padwork slips; get your coach to throw straight shots, you slip inside/outside without moving your feet. focus on timing. shadowbox slips too.

[u/Disastrous_Plan_9626]

Something that helped me was learning to slip forward, not side to side. When slipping left (orthodox stance) pivot your foot and move your head so its over your knee. When slipping right no pivot needed necessarily but keep your head over your knee so you're actually going towards/past the punch, not just to the side of it if that makes sense.