Cut off the ring

Cut off the ring: how to do it

1. Watch which way the opponent is trying to escape.
2. Don't chase right behind them. Take a position at an angle that gets ahead of them in the direction they're heading.
3. Close off the escape routes to the left and right with your left jab and the way your body faces, and push the opponent back toward the ropes or a corner.
4. Once they have little room left, keep attacking and make them deal with it.

Cut off the ring: key points

• The more escape routes you take away, the more the opponent is stuck defending and evading.
• Use your positioning to create a situation where the opponent can't keep up with your attack.
• Don't chase. Close off the direction they want to go before they get there.

Cut off the ring: common mistakes

• Chasing straight behind the opponent. They keep circling away to the side, and only your stamina drains.
• Getting so focused on cornering them that you stand still right in front of them. You take their counter head-on.

Cut off the ring: how to practice

• In shadowboxing, imagine the opponent escaping to the side. Take one step forward at an angle to cut off the route, then punch. Repeat on both sides.
• Swing the heavy bag and get ahead of the direction it moves, then punch.

Related techniques

• On the ropes: stop, deflect or circle out
  On the ropes
• Don't stay in front of them
  Take an angle
• Angled step-in
  Angled step-in
• One-two, then walk in
  12Close in
• Lead, don't wait
  Take the lead