Keeping your opponent off balance with head momement and footwork

I was talking to Paul today about the Bernard Hopkins fight and he mentioned how your could learn a lot from that fight.

First off, head movement is key because it messes with an opponents attack, timing, and power.

• Slipping allow for simultaneous striking


• Weave can follow the slip and allow for additional counter-striking opportunities


• Shots that land often glance off or graze instead of making full impact

Here is a video illustrating slipping and weaving:


As for footwork, we was mentioning how Hopkins would constantly be side stepping to attack from an angle rather than head on. The general idea is that with your footwork:

• You can put yourself in advantageous positions to attack


• Will force your opponent to shift his stance and be off-balance as a result


• Opponent will be in a poor position to retaliate

Here is a video of basic linear footwork and another about sidestepping:

Turn and block the left jab and counter

So Paul was leading a mini group today in boxing so I joined in today. Out of all the things we worked on, I wanted to take some notes on one technique that really connected with me.

It's turning your body to the right while blocking the left jab with the outside of your glove (palm to face) and then countering with the straight right. The reason why I love this move so much is because:

• You block the jab


• Already are in position to deliver a power punch in the form of a straight right, a right cross, or a right body shot. (It's the defensive equivalent of throwing a jab in the sense that it sets another punch up)


• You're body position and left hand are already ready to defend your opponents followup right while your are throwing your right shot so in that chess match... you win

Having control in the full mount position

I've always had trouble in the full mount. I would get bucked off or reversed all the time. What's I've learned today is that the key to establishing better control is to sit high and heavy while tucking your knees underneath your opponent's arms.

By doing this, you are doing a few key things.

• It's now much harder to get bucked off


• You restrict arm movement preventing attacks from the ground


• You're opponent is now very uncomfortable, which will hopefully lead to reaction/mistakes, and give you opportunities to apply a submission

I looked around online and I thought this video did the best job breaking it down.