New to boxing, this article introduces me to a wide range of concepts, styles, and techniques, so that I may build my own style of fighting.
Wide vs. Narrow Stances
Having a wide, squared up stance and posture, versus a more narrow sideways stance, comes with a lot of benefits and downsides. But one thing that's vital to understand is how each affects head movement.
- A more forward stance limits how far you can pull back, but it also allows you more lateral (side to side) movement. In other words, you can duck, slip, or weave much further to the left and right.
- In contrast, a more narrow stance only allows for lateral head movements to the inside. You are able to pull back much further but will be very limited in how far you can slip, duck, or weave to the outside.
Returning vs. Intercepting with Counters
Most counters are returned counters, where you perform a defensive movement to avoid the strike and then return a strike of your own once you are safe, a more dangerous but effective method is to intercept an opponent strike based throwing a strike of your own at the same time
Loaded vs. Eased Strikes
A loaded strike means that the strike has weight behind it because your weight is loaded in the opposite way that the strike is traveling. For instance, you may have your weight on your rear foot and punch forward, loading the strike. Or you may have your weight on your right foot and strike to the left. knee strike means that throwing the strike will be easier as you have already position your weight toward the direction of your strike. For instance, you place your weight on your lead foot and then move forward.
Open vs. Closed Stance
Question to ask someone qualified: One of the things I'd like to find out is whether the open vs. closed stance is a personal choice, a decision taken by two opponents entering the ring, or stances that take place naturally during a fight.
POSITIONING
- A Closed Stance is one where you and your opponent both have the same foot forward. You either both have your left foot forward or both have your right foot forward.
- An Open Stance is one where you and your opponent have opposite feet forward. Either you have your right foot forward and your opponent has their left foot forward, or you have your left foot forward and your opponent has their right foot forward.
ADVANTAGES AND DRAWBACKS
- A Closed Stance makes it harder for you and your opponent to attack with their Rear Side. This is because your Lead Side will obstruct Rear Side attacks. In this way it may be considered a safer stance. However, in a Closed Stance you will be more susceptible to Lead Side attacks like the Jab.
- In contrast, in an Open Stance your Lead Side and your opponent's Lead Side will get in each other's way. However, this makes it easier to attack with your Rear Side. This is because your Lead Side is no longer in the way to obstruct Rear Side attacks.
GRAPPLING
- From grappling perspective, it is easier to go after the opponents Rear Leg in a Closed Stance. This makes techniques like the Double Leg Takedown easier to pull off.
- In contrast an Open Stance moves a fighter's Rear Leg further away especially if they stand in a bladed, narrow stance. This will make Double Legs more difficult, as it will be harder to grab the Rear Leg. While an Open Stance may make Double Legs and certain other takedowns more difficult, it will also make easier to secure a Single Leg or any other techniques that involve controlling a fighters Lead Leg. This is because the front foot of both fighters are closer to each other and therefore it is easier to take an Outside Position with your Lead Foot.
