Guard in Boxing

**shadower** · Posted On: 10/08/2009 8:47pm

I recently started MMA in hopes of one day getting a fight. Since I started sparring, I noticed I have a tendency to drop my guard and just get drilled. The guys at my gym always say something about it, but I cant ever keep it up. What can I do that will make me keep my guard up?

**Emevas** · Posted On: 10/08/2009 8:59pm

Focus on keeping your guard up. When you spar, make that your main focus.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 10/08/2009 9:02pm

Not an advanced topic.

**shadower** · Posted On: 10/08/2009 9:44pm

Sorry about posting in the wrong forum.

When I focus on only keeping my guard up, it feels like I throw zero strikes and just get backed into a corner because I'm not paying attention like I should. Is this just me and my inexperience?

**BrokenFist** · Posted On: 10/08/2009 11:15pm

When you are shadowboxing or hitting the bag concentrate on returning your hand to it's proper position after a punch. Concentrate extra hard on this while throwing combos because when throwing successive punches some new people will return to their natural punching form, trying to exert speed and power that they have not yet developed through technique.

Remember that a punch is completed in two motions: expansion and retraction. Our goal is to complete these two motions as efficiently as possible. Some new people (especially when they use a straight right) tend to expand properly but retract in an arc, dipping their hand below the original line to the target. You need to snap out and snap back with the shortest possible trajectory.

Sparring is not like any other part of training. I know what it is like to murder the pads and then get owned in the ring. Stay focused on technique during sparring and eventually you will get used to the pace and pressure of it. Once the movements become second nature in a full contact setting you can start to think about your what your opponent is doing rather than be occupied trying to correct your technique.

**Libertad** · Posted On: 10/09/2009 4:07am

Originally Posted by shadower

I cant ever keep it up. What can I do

www.amiaustralia.com.au

I am so sorry.

Seriously though man, the more you get punched in the face, the more you will realize it hurts, the more you will keep your hands up.

Its all just experience.

**PointyShinyBurn** · Posted On: 10/09/2009 4:12am

Originally Posted by shadower

When I focus on only keeping my guard up, it feels like I throw zero strikes and just get backed into a corner because I'm not paying attention like I should. Is this just me and my inexperience?

Is it possible that you're blocking your view of your opponent with your guard? Sounds stupid, but I always used to this when I started sparring MT. Hard to punch what you can't see.

Try and keep your hands about chin level and only bring your arms in front of your face when actually covering from punches. Even when you cover up, try and do it in such a way that you can see your opponent through the gap in your forearms.

Originally Posted by BrokenFist

Some new people... tend to expand properly but retract in an arc, dipping their hand below the original line to the target.

It's not just the new people: YouTube - Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling I