Page 76 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Seven

Counterpunching
Immediately after a block, slip or duck, fire your punch
into your opponent’s exposed area.The following pages
show examples of some basic counters to the jab,
straight right and left hook.

Reaction Punching
Definitely blurs the line between offense and defense.
This is a faster, more advanced type of counterpunching
based on reacting to your opponent’s punch and
throwing into the exposed target that his punch creates.
It takes courage and finely tuned reflexes to throw into
a punch.You can’t flinch and pull your punches during
a counterattack.As with all your punches you gotta see
’em through. Even if they don’t land clean, chances are
you’ll at least disrupt the attack.

Range & Refuge
Know your opponent’s boxing distance. If you’re out-
side his striking zone, you can’t get hit.

Another safe place to be is inside your opponent’s chest,
believe it or not. How can he hit you? It’s a great place
to duck a straight right, and even too close for him to
land a hook. But don’t shell up in there. Keep your eyes
on your opponent and recover immediately.

Offense as Defense
If you lay back, your opponent will build confidence in
his punches and gain the initiative.You gotta throw to
keep him honest and to create confidence in your own
punches.

75