Boxing Skills - How To Get Out Of A Corner

BOXING CORNER WORK

Being caught or pushed into a corner by an aggressive or stronger boxer can be a disadvantage to a boxer, especially if the judges are using the card system to score the bout. Once you are in corner, the boxer with his back to the ropes will often find that his scoring options have dropped and control of the bout is in his opponent’s hands.

This is especially true if you are a tall boxer fighting a shorter more aggressive boxer.

You must get out of the corner quickly.

Getting Out Of A Corner

Simple Pivoting

The most common and simple way to get out of the corner is, as your opponent is coming at you or leaning on you, pivot on the front foot and move the rear foot around to the left so you are now at the side of your opponent. Keep your hands up high close to you face while you pivoting. You are now in a good position to counter, as he turns to face you.

Side Stepping

The next best way out of a corner or off the ropes is to sidestep with right leg to the right and follow with the left leg, moving around to the left of your opponent. Keep your hands up high close to your face while you are moving around your opponent.

Hooking Out of the Corner

This is a more advanced move which is very safe and effective. While using a simple pivot to move out of the corner, throw a fast combination of left hooks at the same time. Throwing three or four fast short left hooks at the same time as you pivot will bring your opponent’s hands up to guard his head. This will stop him from punching you and at the same time move you out of the corner.

Crossing Out of the Corner

This technique is a more difficult move and is used by experienced boxers. As your opponent is leaning on you move your right leg out to the right and throw a short burst of short right crosses while continuing to move to the right and to his side, be careful not to hit him in the back of the head.

Turning an opponent

An opponent may lean on you or push you which makes it hard to punch especially if you are a tall boxer with long arms, this can be frustrating to a boxer. The easiest way to counter this tactic is to put your hand on your opponent’s arm, around the lower shoulder / triceps  area and turn your body away from him. By using your opponent’s weight against him, he will move forward with very little help. This will put him on the ropes and you in a countering position. While it is illegal to grab or hold your opponent in Olympic style boxing the above technique is not considered holding if done fast and discreetly.

See video below for some examples:

About The Author:

Written by Richard Davis, owner at Ringsport Boxing Equipment. Boxing coach at Premier boxing club.

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