The Art of Feinting

[Chris Nagel]

Other methods of feinting…
There are many methods of feinting; many require a unique combination that coordinates any of the eyes, hands, body and the legs together in order to deceive an opponent. The learning boxer should familiarize him or herself with many of the different feints until they become natural movements. The following is from an excerpt from the US Navy Boxing manual (1943):

The Arm Swing
Advance slowly, allowing the left arm to swing free. If the arm is held loose and relaxed, on each foreword movement of the left foot, the left arm will swing slightly to the rear and then forward. This action is produced entirely by the movement of the body, but gives the impression that the left hand is being extended.

The Knee Feint
While advancing slowly, quickly bend the left knee. This gives the impression that the arms are moving as well as the legs. In reality, the arms are entirely relaxed and ready.

The Body Drop
Make a quick forward bend of the upper body, at the same time bending the left knee and moving the left hand slightly forward.

The Side Bend
While advancing slowly, drop the body to the right and forward, creating the impression that a right hand lead is about to be executed.

ARM FEINTS
These feints are more specific than those described as body feints, and can be used to obtain a specific result.

The Up-Down Feint
Means feinting a left to the chin, and then to the body, or feinting a blow to the body or the chin with the right hand, without follow-up action. Such feints are used to ascertain how the opponent reacts, and to establish plans to the further use of the feint.

The Draw-Back Feint
This is a right hand feint using the same principle as in frightening an animal. (Think of raising a club above your head, or drawing a rolled up newspaper back.) This is done by drawing the arm back as if to strike, rather than in a striking movement itself. To execute, drop the weight back to the right foot, and draw the right hand back, as if to deliver a hard right hand blow. (Side Note: Following this idea, alternatively one may draw their left hand back as to convey that one is preparing to throw a left hook.)

The Shift Feint
This too is a right hand feint to the chin, using a striking motion to “fake out” the opponent. Shift the weight forward over the left foot, raising the right elbow slightly. Turn the right hip to the center line as if to strike with the right hand. A hard hook to the chin can be delivered off of this feint.

SPECIFIC ARM FEINTS
-Feint a left jab to the chin and then drive a straight left to the solar plexus.
-Feint a left jab to the solar plexus and then step in with a left jab to the chin.
-Feint a left jab to the chin, shift the weight to the right foot, and feint a right to the chin. Then step forward with a left jab to the chin.
-Feint a straight right to the jaw, and throw a left hook to the body.
-Feint a jab to the chin and deliver a right uppercut to the body.
-Feint a jab to the chin and deliver a hard right uppercut to the body.
-Step forward with the left foot, as in the quick advance, and jab without hitting the opponent. From this close position, pull the left arm back to position, and jab to the chin.

Coaching Hints
1.Always “build-up” an opening before making use of it.
2.Feints must be precise of action, rapid and decisive.
3.Each feint will bring a characteristic reaction, which should be known before the feint is made. This means practice.
4.Never use the same feint more than twice in a row. Change is all important.

There is also feinting in footwork. It is excellent practice to quickly advance forward pretending to attack, and then quickly step backwards as to entice your opponent into lunging at you. This works well in combination with circling an opponent. When you circle your opponent you’re able to maintain distance so that your opponent has to lunge in order to get close enough to hit you. I recommend reading Tabin’s post on circling for a good explanation. It’s frustrating for an opponent to constantly work at closing the distance, so your quick steps forward and then backwards draws their attack. Your base strategy (i.e. what punches you’ve allowed your opponent to throw) however determines what punch that your opponent will lead with.

To land certain punches you will also have to adjust your position in relation to your opponent. For instance you may have to step a little to the left to land a left-hook, and towards your right to land your right hand. Considering this and that you’re opponent will have to turn to meet you, it is possible to feint via side-stepping. Step a little to your right so that they will turn to face you, and before they can get set you quickly side step to the left assuming your base of attack and hitting them while they are still out of position. Practice is important, and quick footwork is needed in order to carry out these attacks effectively. Work on as many variations as you can.

Feinting will be a great advantage to any style of fighter. If you are a pressure fighter for instance, feints will help conserve energy, as well creating countering opportunities as your opponent is vulnerable in the act of counterpunching. On the other hand if you’re a boxer who likes to control the fight with jabs, feinting will further disconcert your opponent as they’ll be more apt to react to your feints (a shoulder feint will do the trick as it looks identical to how a jab begins).

This post should help introduce you to the art of feinting, yet there is much more to be learned elsewhere. Experience will be the best teacher in developing your feints. Spar with as much fighters as you can. Try to get a good sense of distance as you feint, box and try to outmaneuver your opponent. Watch as much good fighters as you can and try practice and develop some of their “moves” that impress you. Be aware some moves might not be for you. Some moves you’ll have to practice thousands of times to be used for a single moment, and it might not work on everybody but when it does work then all of your effort was well worth it.