Help Defending Against the Right Hand

[Chris Nagel]

You'll have to get out of your comfort zone, first by how you stand and hold your hands, while keeping both eyes on your opponent.

I would add that you ought to lean back slightly onto your rear leg, off-center toward your right. This tilts your left shoulder up, and make him apt to reach with his right. Keep your elbows in against your body as opposed to keeping your gloves lifted toward your cheeks.

Here's a few moves you can work on: Bend your knees and roll under his right toward the left, immediately stepping into position for your left hook counter. If you get comfortable with keeping your left hand forward in front of your lead shoulder you can parry his right to the left with your left, and counter immediately with the right. Or- parry it toward the right and counter with your right. You can also shoulder-roll back and toward the right, and counter with your right.

Your stance is your first line of defense, and is utmostly integral for any defensive movement. It's the first thing that you have to work on. Too often boxers make it harder for themselves by standing in a way that makes them easier to get hit, and harder to respond accordingly with what is needed.