14 SIMPLE BOXING COUNTER PUNCHING TECHNIQUES

Counter Punching Skills

Boxers spend almost every training session learning and perfecting their punches, punching combinations and defence against being punched. One thing all boxers need to also learn is counter punching. The majority of boxer are usually more offensive, meaning they lead or attack a lot which is how most coaches teach a boxer from the start. Over time some boxers may become more a counter fighter meaning they tend to wait for their opponent to attack before they launch their own attack which is really a counter attack.

It can be quite frustrating for a boxer who leads and gets caught with punches on the way in or as he is moving back from a attack. I have seen bouts where a boxer only throws a few lead punches and just waits, which causes his opponent to wait and then the whole of the round can become very boring. If a amateur boxer or a professional boxer waits to during a bout to throw punches, the referee will ask the boxer to fight. 

There are many counter punches and many combinations you could work on, in fact every punch that is throw after the first lead can be called a counter punch. I have listed some simple and most common counter punches your coach will teach you, that you can work on.

Basic Counter Punching Combinations
With counter punch combination the pad holder or coach must throw a lead punch for the boxer to counter punch.
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Coach to Lead With
• Left jab – boxer to counter – left jab.
• Left jab – boxer to counter – slip right – right cross.
• Left jab – boxer to counter – Slip inside - left to body.
• Left jab – boxer to counter – drop front knee -right cross to body.
• Left jab – boxer to counter – slip head - step left – left hook. (must be fast)

Coach to Lead With
• Right cross – boxer to counter – slip left – left hook.
• Right cross – boxer to counter – slip left – right cross at same time.
• Right cross – boxer to counter – left knee drop – right to body.
• Right cross – boxer to counter – slip left – right over hand.

Coach to Lead With
• Left hook – boxer to duck right – right cross.
• Left hook – boxer to lean back – right cross.
Coach to Lead With
• Right hook – boxer to duck left – left hook.
• Right hook – boxer to duck left – left hook – short right punch.
Coach to Lead With
• Left jab – boxer slips right – Coach throws right cross – boxer slips left and counters with left hook – right cross.

For this and many other boxing tips and information view Modern boxing for all.