Can you use regular guard and shoulder roll, or only lead hand down?

**Sandman1995** · 01-28-2012 04:26 AM

just trying to figure out which kind of defense would be the best for me,
so can u shoulder roll in a regular stance.?

**greynotsoold** · 01-28-2012 04:42 AM

I'm not sure what you are asking.

**Sandman1995** · 01-28-2012 08:37 AM

you know, what james toney does, shoulder roll away from the punches,
do u have to be in a philly defense kind of thing, or can you be in a regular orthodox stance?

**greynotsoold** · 01-28-2012 06:06 PM

Yes, you can use your shoulder to block and roll punches from what I consider to be a regular stance. That may differ from what others consider a 'regular' stance, in this age of boxing, on two key points.
The first is the angle of your body towards the opponent. Since Tyson, everybody seems to want to be squared up toward the opponent, shoulders on a line and both feet pointed at him. From this stance, you can't use your shoulder for protection, and you are more vulnerable to straight punches. What you need to do is rotate your left leg and hip inward, until your left foot is at just less than a 45 angle to your opponent. This puts your left hip and shoulder forward- you are now a more narrow target and are tucked behind your shoulder.
Second is how high you hold your hands. If you recall, in that other thread I mentioned keeping your elbows close to your body. With your left arm, this not only protects your ribs, but supports your arm, so that you do not have to hold it up. Comfortably, then, your left hand should be a bit below shoulder height, and that is where it should be. From that position you can jab properly-at an upward angle- and you can hook as well. To defend against right hands, which you should be able to see coming, pick up your left glove, or drop it and raise your shoulder. Keeping the left hand in this position also helps should you choose to parry the jab with your right hand; your left is out of the way and ready to counter. Conversley, you don't want the left hand too low because it takes too long to punch with it and it will wreck the flow of your combinations.