Learning Distance and Range

[The Student]

Yes, you do need to trust your range.

I almost didn't respond at first since this has never been much of an issue for me -- I have a weird spacial sense where I can pretty much see distances and such better than than some people can do by measuring.

We were practicing knife vs. knife (combatives not boxing of course) tonight and a big part of the drill I setup for my friend was getting within range of hitting his hand and also sometimes leaving my hand out there a little for him to "see" it was in range.

As you might guess, range and judging distance with knives is even more critical since almost any knife 'touch' does some damage and a good strike can lop off a finger or worse.

Keep practicing. A big point in your favor is you are trying to WORK the drills and truly PRACTICE rather than just doing exercise.

Keep up the work -- pay attention to the details like you are doing and progress will be fast and sure for you.

Thanks for your comments once again Herb...

I can imagine distance, range, and timing is absolutely critical for someone doing knife to knife combat. Make sure you stay sharp practicing that stuff

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

Some very good points in there. This issue of establishing your range is always a hill to overcome during the initial stages of learning boxing, and even for more experienced guys meeting a new type of opponent (e.g. someone shorter than you with what seems like an unfeasibly long reach) can cause problems. Effective range finding is always something that should be dealt with with very small movements (Scrap's 4" principle is very relevant here, and indeed being at long range and being out of range can often be a difference of only 1".)

I wonder whether these 2 articles might help, one for context and the other as a direct drill to allow practical application (apologies if you've already seen these 2 as I know you take you're Saddo name literally in that you like to study the detail!) In fact, the drill itself does not sound dissimilar to Herb's combative drill re: knife practice.

Finding Your Range in Boxing

Footwork Drill - Boxing Tag

Hope these help mate

Cheers

Fran

[The Student]

Some very good points in there. This issue of establishing your range is always a hill to overcome during the initial stages of learning boxing, and even for more experienced guys meeting a new type of opponent (e.g. someone shorter than you with what seems like an unfeasibly long reach) can cause problems. Effective range finding is always something that should be dealt with with very small movements (Scrap's 4" principle is very relevant here, and indeed being at long range and being out of range can often be a difference of only 1".)

I wonder whether these 2 articles might help, one for context and the other as a direct drill to allow practical application (apologies if you've already seen these 2 as I know you take you're Saddo name literally in that you like to study the detail!) In fact, the drill itself does not sound dissimilar to Herb's combative drill re: knife practice.

Finding Your Range in Boxing

Footwork Drill - Boxing Tag

Hope these help mate

Cheers

Fran

Thanks for your input Fran.

I never came across that first article you posted. Very informative as usual and I like the fact that you always add a video to illustrate the theory that you're explaining to give the reader the practical applications of what you're saying.

As far as the tag boxing goes, I just gotta find a partner to do that with. As I mentioned to you before, I tried it once, but was doing it completely wrong so I need to do the drill again, correctly this time, to truly benefit from it.

I keep forgetting about that drill, but it should most definitely help with distance, range and timing.

Thanks

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

if it's something that you do, week in week out, I promise it will help. Even the international boxers that I work with do this with raw novices, and both benefit. Stick with it mate, it will bring rewards!

Fran

[iceman]

hope this helps, its a start

[The Student]

I've come across a lot of stuff by Kenny Weldon. A lot of good stuff, but I'm not sure if I necessarily agree with what he's saying in that video.

I'm by no means an expert, but I dont know about stepping forward with your lead leg and leaving yourself so wide open. I would imagine you would lose a lot of mobility by doing that, and be very susceptible to your opponents counter punches.

.. but what do I know, maybe some of the more experienced members can weigh in on that.

Thanks for sharing though, I appreciate it.

[iceman]

well you don't put all your weight on that front foot, and as you see the distance is very easy to hit the guy...shuffle in and chasing him will lead to a lot of frustration.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I've come across a lot of stuff by Kenny Weldon. A lot of good stuff, but I'm not sure if I necessarily agree with what he's saying in that video.

I'm by no means an expert, but I dont know about stepping forward with your lead leg and leaving yourself so wide open. I would imagine you would lose a lot of mobility by doing that, and be very susceptible to your opponents counter punches.

.. but what do I know, maybe some of the more experienced members can weigh in on that.

Thanks for sharing though, I appreciate it.

I think he has a lot of good points and the right concept.
I use a very similar technique but I always try to let my feet take me there.