Page 55 - Fighting Fit: Boxing, Workouts, Techniques, and Sparring

Defensive moves

A good way to practice slips is by dodging a slip bag or
even the weighted end of a swinging rope, preferably
in front of a mirror.With the knot or weight hung at
chin level, give it a push so that it swings to and fro at
your head. Practice dodging the rope using smallish,
efficient “slips” of the head. Slips are neck and head
propelled.They aren’t ducks or shoulder dips.

Get good at this. It’s one of the best ways to deal with
incoming punches since the defensive intent is to
avoid the attack altogether (versus a block or a catch
that absorbs).The action is also relatively slight and less
drastic than a duck, which of course, takes more
energy and moves you out of your stance.

Defense and offense are hardly separate and distinct
actions in a bout. One blends into the other or should.
Each punch comes from and returns to a defensive pos-
ture. Each defensive maneuver can lead to an attack. It’s
a swirling, flowing thing and it takes training to react
properly and quickly at the right time.

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