Fighting Tips

I've been watching boxing since over 30 years ago, and had quite an interest in self-defense, security, and boxing since 10-15 years ago. Let me share with you some of what I've learned over the years.

Dodge the Big Shot

Your typical drunk guy will try to hit you with a big punch that you can see coming from a mile away, so be ready. It's called slipping punches, but when it's that telegraphed, you can just dodge. While he's off balance after his massive shot can be a good time for a quick counter punch.

Speed Is Everything

Speed is most important. Power derives from speed. The faster fighter almost always wins. I remember as a kid having watched martial arts films, trying to be as fast as possible. I've tried to maintain exceptional speed through the years. You should too.

Jabs are usually faster than power punches.

Arm Punches

As a kid, I thought you punched with your arm. In fact, you should punch using your whole body. Learn how to move your body to put more into your punches.

Hit the Bag

If you just throw punches in the air, you aren't strengthening bones and joints. You might even break something if you hit someone up side the head. You need to hit the heavy bag.

Stance

You typically stand with your faster hand forward. Most right-handed fighters stand with the left arm forward. Hands should be up near the face to be ready to block shots, but elbows should be low enough to protect ribs. If talking to someone you're not sure about, you might use gesturing or your phone or something else as an excuse to keep your hands up near a defensive guard position.

K.O.

The key to a knockout punch is to knock the chin sideways very fast to jar the brain to cause a temporary loss of consciousness. The chin sticks out and makes a good lever. It's hard to jar the brain properly if you hit anywhere else, but it's possible. Temple punches and even good jabs have knocked men out.

If a knocked out person hits the head on concrete or another hard surface, it can be deadly.

Having a "weak chin" is a term for someone who can be knocked out easily.

T.K.O.

You can also take someone out with a body shot, such as a hard punch to the liver. Breaking ribs can take the fight out of someone. The liver and floating ribs can be vulnerable in people who hold their guard too high. You can normally move a person's guard higher by hitting their face.

You can't do it in professional fighting, but a neck chop is said to knock someone out.

Stun

A punch or chop to the nose and mouth area can be very painful and stunning, and if you're fast, you can do this before a typical person can react. Punches to the mouth area can cause bloody cuts to the lips to demoralize the opponent. Punches to the nose can bloody or break the nose. Any of this can be very demoralizing to an opponent.

Headbutt

My head versus your head seems like it would hurt both of us, but the goal is to hit his face with the top of your head. The top of the head is very hard and can take the abuse. You can easily cut his face or cause other damage.

Body Shots

Many fighters start by working on the body, then going for the head shots when the opponent is broken down and slower and less dangerous with counters.

Cuts

Punches around the eyes or clashes of heads can lead to cuts around the eyebrow area, which bleed into the eyes, impairing vision and demoralizing a fighter. Some fighters seem more vulnerable to cuts.

Clench

It's hard for your opponent to put any power into his punches if you're right in front of him, so many fighters use a clench for a rest or if they prefer grappling. Grappling with a bigger opponent can be more dangerous. A taller or heavier fighter might also lean on his opponent to tire him out.

People don't like to watch fights with a lot of clenching, but it can be better than a loss.

Trainer

If you need a boxing trainer, consider Ron Spain.