Take your counter punching skills to the next level with these three essential boxing drills. In this video, we’ll dive into the techniques and strategies needed to perfect your counter punching, helping you to become a more effective and formidable opponent in the ring. Whether you’re a seasoned boxer or just starting out, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their counter punching skills.
Counter Punching Definition
I have my own definition of counter punching:
“Landing a punch in response to the action or reaction of an opponent”
I like simple definitions. Actually, I like simple everything. Focusing on the ‘reaction’ bit, I use a concept called Trigger, Defend, Attack. Just like the definition, it’s a pretty simple concept. In my opinion, counter punching is not about waiting for an opponent to do something. Counter punching is about making something happen, and a perfect way of making something happen is to use the skill of feinting.
Each of the boxing drills I present in the video use the concept of feinting. Be aware though, you can change out the feint for a punch – the jab is the classic ‘trigger’ punch in boxing. For these boxing drills though, I really want you to focus on the skill of feinting.
Counter Punching Drill #1
The first counter punching boxing drill I want to focus on is:
Feint -> Layback -> Attack
The feint is critical in all of these sequences. Be at long range, and use either a hand feint, a foot feint or a body feint. The point is to convince the opponent that a punch is coming. Always assume that a punch will come, that’s the logical thing to do. After the feint, execute the layback. I’ll repeat, don’t wait to see if a punch comes, do the layback in the expectation that the punch is coming.
The layback is s simple bend of the back leg. You are at ling range, so that subtle bend of the back leg will take your head out of range. The incoming punch will fall short by a matter of a couple of inches – the fewer the better. This means that you are in the perfect position to launch your own attack.
Counter Punching Drill #2
The 2nd counter punching drill is:
Feint -> Push Out/Push In -> Attack
So this is also called a phased attack or pendulum step. It’s a sequence that required you to be on the balls of your feet, executing the short and explosive push out/in at high speed. As with boxing drill 1, efficiency of movement is key. So, we don’t want big, bounding movements with the feet. We want short and explosive, literally a few inches. This means that building your appreciation of boxing range is vital.
If you want to see really brilliant exponents of this type of counter punching, check out Dmitry Bivol or Oleksandr Usyk. Both of those fighters use this type of pendulum step as a core part of their counter punching style, so lots to learn from them.
Counter Punching Drill #3
The final counter punching drill is:
Feint -> Slip Out -> Attack
The slip outside is a nice safe slip. It’s a very old school skill. Take a look at guys like Joe Louis, or Rocky Marciano, it’s a big part of their style and it has continued into modern fighters. A great thing about the slip outside is that, like the layback, you store energy in the rear leg to really power up your back hand counter punch.
The other great thing about the slip outside is that you shift your head away from the centre line. You actually become very difficult to hit as your head also moves slightly away from the opponent. This is an incredibly effective counter punching skill, so spend the time working this one.
Trigger, Defend, Attack
Mix these counter punching sequences up. It’s a mistake to get into a boxing and do the same thing over and over again. You will get found out and often it’s not pretty. You can interchange these sequences, and you can even add more. For example you could include an inside slip, or a roll. Point being, don’t become predictable.
Another good thing to do is look for patterns in your opponent’s response to your trigger. Do they back away? Do they respond with a jab? Do they respond aggressively with a hook? This kind of pattern spotting needs to be done quickly. Don’t wait, don’t become static. Keep feinting, keep punching.
Adding a Variation
All of the defensive elements of our counter punching boxing drills are proactive defences. You could change these out for reactive defences. You can use blocks and parries of all kinds. The great thing about using blocks and parries as part of your counter punching sequences is that if you do a block or parry, you know you are in range to land your own punches.
I would love to get your thoughts on this below.
Cheers
Fran
by 
I always think of boxing as a chess match but, especially as an older boxer I can be stymied by a fighter/sparring partner comes at me windmilling punches relentlessly. I like to counter punch but don’t want to run so I usually end up clinching. What is your advice on how to fend off an attack like that? Thanks, love your training advice. Wish I had someone like you when I was 18 instead of 68, as I am now.
Hey, Bob.
Fellow old guy here (63). Could I suggest working on lateral movement and/or pivots, against those guys. That way, you can deal with the onslaught, and still be in position to counter. Just be really aware of guard integrity as you move. Those guys frequently wade in with (sometimes wide, and wild) hooks.
Fight the good fight, Brother.
Regards,
Karl
Hi Bob
I think Karl’s input is a real positive. Another option, if you’re comfortable is ducking and holding ground and letting the space close. If you are comfortable with your up close work then you can mix up your long range and short range stuff. The think about those ‘windmilling’ guys is that they thrive on space for those big swinging hooks. Up close they can often be less effective, as long as you have a good grip on your short hooks and uppers – so not necessarily clinching, but rough housing and working uppercuts and body hooks. Some varied options there I hope?