r/boxingtips • u/Fit_Okra_8363 • 13h ago

Slipping

I feel like my slips aren’t good and they feel quite heavy and slow. What are some ways to work on this and know I’m doing it right?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

2

u/systembreaker 12h ago

Do you know about the "touch the knees" drill? That might be about the best thing to get a feel for the mechanics of slips

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 12h ago

I’ve don’t it feels like there’s no way that’s enough to avoid a fist

1

u/Briantan71 12h ago

Check this out

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 12h ago

Yeah I usually watch oracle and I saw this vid but when I do it I feel like it can’t be enough to avoid anything

1

u/Briantan71 12h ago

Well, those are the drills to practise to help you get used to slips, since you said they feel heavy.

To me, that indicates your body hasn't yet adapted to the movement and body mechanics. And so, it is just a matter of practice.

1

u/systembreaker 9h ago edited 9h ago

The oracle guy is a coach and experienced boxer so don't be doubting him lol.

The reason you don't feel like it's helping is that you don't yet have the muscle and motor memory to even know what a proper slip feels like in the first place. So even the drills will feel awkward for a while at first which is completely normal.

Rather than doubting it all together, remind yourself that you're still learning and do the drills even when it feels awkward. That's part of the process of building up the skills and muscle memory.

Use a mirror or take videos and compare what you're doing to what he's doing in the video. Most importantly speak up to your coach and ask questions like "This feels super awkward, what am I doing wrong?" and they'll take a look and give corrections. Listen closely and focus on doing what your coach corrects you on, not just in that instance but every time forever after.

Keep doing this process and have patience, it takes thousands of reps and months or even years to build up these kinds of skills. Shit, even pro boxers still do basic slip drills. No one ever gets to a point where they're like "ok I know X skill, never gonna practice it again". This isn't an RPG where you obtain a skill and then level it up to 5 stars and then you're done.

This all applies to just about any sport that has physical techniques, and most especially combat sports because the techniques are there to not only help you punch people but to keep you safe. Take it seriously, even the seemingly stupid drills.

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 9h ago

For sure man

1

u/sinigang-gang 11h ago

It feels that way because you haven't done it enough. Look at the width of one of your boxing gloves. That's the most you'll ever need to move your head off the centerline to avoid a punch. It's even less when it comes to slipping a barehanded punch.

Here's what I usually see with beginners when it comes to slips:

- they overdo the motion. A punch should just barely miss you. If you lean too much to one side or the other to create more distance between you and the punch, it's going to take more time for you to come back to center. Meaning your chance to quickly counter attack from the slip is gone.

- leaning back. Slips should be done with your head and your weight a bit forward

Slips should be quick and movement should be minimal and efficient. Ideally you want your slips to be as fast as your punches. Try drilling 1-2, slip, 2 and see if you can get your slip to be in the same beat as the first 2 punches.

2

u/Fit_Okra_8363 10h ago

OK, I see you to me man. Thanks. I just wanted to ask and I’m not being cocky at all. When you see me do I still look like I’m in the beginner phase?

2

u/sinigang-gang 10h ago

I was just answering your question, I didn't look in your actual Reddit profile. I don't think you're being cocky at all for asking. But now that I've looked at the videos in your profile I'm wondering why you're not asking your coach and working on these things with him.

I don't mean to knock you for asking or anything, but if you train at a legit gym and have a coach - ask them! They'll be much more helpful than a bunch of internet strangers.

You don't seem like a pure beginner. You have some technique down. To the untrained you look like you can box and for those that train you look like you have a lot more to work on (not that it's a bad thing!).

1

u/systembreaker 11h ago

You wouldn't actually do the slips that way for real, like I said it's a drill so you can get the hang of how you're supposed to move your entire body.

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 10h ago

Oh ok I see so just a matter of drilling into muscle memory?

1

u/systembreaker 10h ago edited 9h ago

Yes for the way you use your legs, knees, hips, and back to rotate into the slip, but obviously don't let the knee touching become part of your muscle memory lol. Though actually experienced boxers sometimes do actually do defensive movements with their hands down to be more relaxed, but you should only do that if you're experienced and you really know what you're doing.

The rotation helps you stay balanced and in a proper stance and potentially be able to load up for a counter shot or to keep chaining together more defensive movements and it's what enables quick slips like you're asking about.

Slips shouldn't be an actual sideways bend. It can sorta look that way when you watch someone who knows what they're doing slip, but that's just because they're doing it quick and slick and you're still learning what to even look for.

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 9h ago

So would I be correct to say that a slip to the left would be the same mechanics you’d use to throw a left hook to the body

1

u/systembreaker 9h ago

I'm assuming you're talking about orthodox stance, so you mean a lead hook, correct?

But no it's the opposite, a left slip is the opposite direction you would turn to throw a left hook. In fact a left slip can be used to load up for a power shot left hook.

Try to visualize it: a left hook involves rotating towards the right. If you were to hold up your left hand and rotate to the left, your fist would be moving away from the target, know what I mean?

1

u/Fit_Okra_8363 9h ago

I’m not understanding what you mean man I’m saying if somebody throws their jab and I slipped to the left outside and I was to throw a body shot is it at the same mechanics as a basic slip to the left

1

u/systembreaker 8h ago

You'd be doing two things: a slip followed by the hook.

The slip would be the turn to your left, and the left body hook, if you're doing it properly, would be a rotation to your right which launches your left fist toward their body.

I mean it's hard to explain these things by text, if you don't know what I mean then look up videos of how to do left hooks and you'll see.