Page 75 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Basic Defense & Counters

Slips
Small, sideways movements of the head that dodge the
bullet are called slips. It takes a keen eye to spot the
incoming missile and a talented set of neck muscles to
maneuver the head out of the way. A master of the slip
was an early Mike Tyson.

A good way to practice slips is by dodging the weighted
end of a swinging rope, preferably in front of a mirror.
With the knot or weight hung at eye 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 all together (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.

Inside slip Guard position Outside slip

Slips are slight movements of the head to avoid straight punches.

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