Ten Fight Tactics for Winners

Fight tactics are the way in which a boxer delivers an overall strategy to win a fight.  Fight tactics come in many different forms but are always underpinned by the use of technical boxing skills and should suit the particular situation.

Tactics are about controlling the opponent and the ring, which is why we also refer to the use of fight tactics as ‘ring-craft’.  Tactics are about when we take ground, when we hold ground and when we give ground.

When deciding upon what tactics to use in a fight you take into account the physical and technical capabilities of the opponent.   You fit your tactics to your goals and at the same time to counteract the strengths of your opponent.

This post will provide you with 10 tactics that can be used.  I have chosen 3 scenarios:

• Dealing with a taller opponent
• Dealing with a shorter opponent
• Dealing with an opposing stance (southpaw/orthodox).

Here is the video and then I shall list the 10 tactics that are distributed across these 3 scenarios:

The Taller Opponent

Fight Tactic #1 – Close the Ground – A  simple, blunt and effective way of getting into close range. Speed is of the essence, using the ever-effective double arm block and keeping the head low by using the duck.  Cover the ground very quickly; this will enable you to get close to the taller boxer and unload the shots as soon as you hit close range.

Fight Tactic #2 – Long Range Trigger – This is about recognising that a reach advantage is only an advantage if the taller guy dictates when the punch is thrown.  A great tactic is to draw their lead by feinting then use the back hand block against the incoming straight shot.  When you have blocked you can step in to deliver your own long range shots followed by hooks and uppercuts.

Fight Tactic #3 – Draw Them In – This tactic is uses the principle that many taller boxers prefer opponents to come forward.  The opponent moving forward fits perfectly into their style of fighting, having the opponent walk onto shots.   in many cases though, taller boxers are less inclined to attack the opponent so as a shorter fighter you can work this to your advantage.  Go on the back foot, make the taller opponent come to you.  As the taller boxer commits, switch your mode to attack and explode forward (in similar vein to Fight Tactic #1).

The Shorter Opponent

Fight Tactic #4 – Maintain Your Range – When you hold a height and reach advantage it stands to reason that during a fight you maximize those advantages. The way to maximize your reach advantage is to maintain your range at edge of range/long range.  Use the simple push away combined with a jab to maintain your distance. Time your movement to coincide with your opponent’s drive forward and when it suits you let your right cross go for good measure – that will help convince your opponent to stop trying to rush you.

Fight Tactic #5 – Use Angled Punches – When dealing with a shorter opponent, it is worth considering a couple points.  Firstly, a shorter opponent when trying to close the ground on you will use lots of head movement; slips, rolling and ducking. Secondly, the opponent will often seek to make their height work to their advantage by ducking low. Vary your long range punching to incorporate long range hooks and long range uppercuts as well as conventional straight punches. As your opponent’s head cuts across your line of fire you will increase your chances of landing.

Fight Tactic #6 – Pivot to Deflect – The pivot is one of the most often used and least appreciated skills used in boxing. The pivot is highly effective many fight situations, both offensive and defensive.  When dealing with a shorter opponent then the pivot provides a great option.  As a shorter opponent attacks use the pivot to ‘deflect’ the attack. As the opponent attacks along the center-line you can pivot off that center-line to leave the opponent punching fresh air. Combining the pivot with a left hook makes this tactic even more effective.

Fight Tactic #7 – Control at Close Range – Whilst you may aim to maintain your range (see Fight Tactic #4), the laws of averages mean that you will at some point get involved at close range.  At close range you could try to tie the opponent up. Rather than holding on, hammer off 3 or 4 short range punches and then quickly depart to long range again.  By hitting at close range and then moving back to long range it means that you dictate situation.

Fight Tactic #8 – Push Them Back – A shorter opponent often wants to be ‘on the front foot’, attacking.  A higher risk tactic but occasionally necessary is the need to push the opponent back with punches.  Take the opponent out of their comfort zone by putting them on their back foot.

Dealing With the Opposing Stance

Fight Tactic #9 – Dominate the Safe Zone – The safe zone is the area where the opponent with an opposing stance can land the fewest meaningful shots.  As an orthodox boxer facing a southpaw boxer, your safe zone is to your left. This means that you are staying away from the power left hand (back hand) of your southpaw opponent. It is also difficult for the southpaw to land with a proper lead hand hook when you are in the safe zone.  Vice versa for the southpaw.  So use lots of lead hand work coupled with angled-side steps to dominate the safe zone.

Fight Tactic #10 – Diagonal Movement Forward with Hooks – Use the slick diagonal movement forward into the safe zone coupled with the back hand hook down the centre line.  Really simple and very effective against the opposing stance.

In Closing

Remain flexible when it comes to deploying fight tactics.  Remember, there is always a solution to a problem in the boxing ring, you just need to think clearly in order to find that solution.

Comments and questions below please.

Cheers

Fran

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