Defense and footwork
Block (high guard)
Block
FlowBlock
Blocking is a defense where you take the punch on your raised arms to protect your face and head. You can block without moving your body or changing the distance, so you can fire back right from that spot when the opponent finishes punching. As the basic way to keep your guard tight, it works at any distance, from long range to close range.
| Type | Defense and footwork |
|---|---|
| Footwork and defense | Block |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Block (high guard): step by step
- Hold your gloves beside your temples and keep your elbows in.
- Turn the hard part of your forearm, from the elbow forward, toward the side the punch is coming from.
- Take the punch on your forearm, leaving a small gap between your arm and your body.
- If you feel you're getting pushed back, slide your feet and hold your ground with your whole body.
- When the opponent finishes punching, fire back from where you are.
Block (high guard): key points
- Block with the hard part of your forearm. If you take it on the upper arm near your shoulder, that spot becomes a pivot point and your whole body gets pushed in.
- Don't press your arm tight against your body. Leave a little space. Your arm then works as a cushion and absorbs the impact.
- Raising your arms to protect your face leaves your body less covered. Adjust the height of your arms to what the opponent is aiming at.
Block (high guard): common mistakes
- Blocking with the upper arm near your shoulder. That spot becomes a pivot, your whole body gets pushed back and your stance breaks.
- Pressing your arm against your face to block. Your arm can't absorb the impact, and you get hit in the face through your glove.
- Focusing only on blocking and never firing back. The opponent can keep punching safely, and you just spend longer on defense.
Block (high guard): how to practice
- In shadowboxing, picture left and right hooks coming, turn your forearm to meet them, and fire back a one-two right after the block. Repeat the flow.
- On the heavy bag, block the bag on your forearm as it swings back to you, then hit back. Check that you keep the space between your arm and your body.
- In front of a mirror, check that your gloves are beside your temples and that your elbows aren't flared out too far.
Combinations that use this move
Related techniques
Left and right are written for orthodox (left foot forward). If you're southpaw, swap left and right as you read. How to read the notation
This is Japanese-style boxing: techniques as taught at a boxing gym in Japan. American or Mexican coaches may teach some of them differently.