If a boxer is skilled, slipping punches inside will give him an advantage, but an inexperienced boxer should stick to slipping punches outside. This is because it is safer to slip the punches outside. Additionally, it gives you a lot of opportunities to properly deliver punches.
It is safer to throw an outside jab than an inside jab. However, when you slip inside, you are mostly in the danger zone of your opponent. Because you are within his sights. When you slip outside, you are safe and have two target areas. You can easily hit him on both his face and his body.
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What Does It Mean To Slip a Punch?
Slipping allows you avoid a punch without having to sacrifice an arm for defense
Slipping a punch is accomplished by moving the head to either side, allowing the opponent’s punches to slip past the boxer.
Slipping punches enables the fighter to recover and counterpunch faster than the opponent can reset into a proper fighting stance. The ability to predict incoming attacks and slip a punch heavily depends on your reflexes.
But, before you get into the ring, you need to drill into your muscles the proper technique for the most efficient execution. And you can start and improve your boxing slips right at home.
Do You Slip Punches to the Inside or Outside?
Slipping punch to the outside puts your opponent at an awkward spot – allowing you to land heavy blows like hooks or liver shots.
Generally, boxers slip the jab outside, though this may vary depending on your opponent. The choice of whether a boxer should use slip punches to the inside or outside also depends upon the skills of the boxer.
In general, you are attempting to avoid the second punch of an opponent’s attack; or to create a counter to the first punch, which is accomplished by moving outside. Because the jab is often the first punch, slipping outside prevents you from walking into their backhand power shot.
This gives you the opportunity of countering with an open body, uppercuts, or a new angle for straight attacks. Technically, it also gives you a right hook to the head, but it’s rarely used. If you slip outside their backhand, there’s a real chance of a liver shot, which could end the fight, so stay outside that punch on most occasions.
There are a few exceptions that you can make if you are technically advanced. For example, if you notice your opponent gets a little square on, you might be able to get the distance right to use what is almost a feint slip to get inside and throw an uppercut or a short body shot. Boxers with exceptional footwork can control the range, so they use the inside slip. It’s dangerous.
Slipping Punches to the Inside vs Outside: Pros & Cons
Pros: Slipping Inside
- Less energy used because of smaller movements
- Open to more follow up attacks like uppercuts
- Easier for beginners
Cons: Slipping Inside
- You are prone to counter-attack even after slipping
- May not work on punches like hooks
Pros: Slipping Outside
- Safer because your opponent doesn’t have an angle to counter strike
- Easier to land heavy punches because your opponent cannot defend it
Cons: Slipping Outside
- Slower because you need to move more
How Do You Slip Punches to the Inside vs Outside?
Slipping to the inside is easier but you are prone to more follow up attacks by your opponent.
To slip punch to the inside, you need to dodge incoming punch by weaving your head slight in the direction of your opponent’s chest. This way, after you dodge, you are still ‘inside’ and can land heavy counter-punches like uppercuts or shots to the solar plexus.
Whereas, to slip punch to the outside, you need to weave your head away from your opponent’s chest (to the outside). This way, after you dodge, the opponent is placed in an awkward position and cannot defend against your counter attack. After slipping to the outside, you should follow up with a hook or liver shot.
Slipping punches to the outside is always more destructive and recommended for advanced boxers. However, it may be harder to do and takes more practice. That said, both slipping inside and outside have their use cases. You need to practice both of them until they come naturally.
Ways to Slip Punches Faster
Slight Movements of the head are the key to the fast slipping of punches. Punches can be avoided by wide slip or duck but, it is slower. It requires more energy and gives the opponent more time to bounce back.
Always bend from the legs rather than the waist. Boxers frequently weave from the waist, but this throws you off balance and is slower. During shadowboxing, strengthen your legs and practice proper technique constantly.
In the end, In my opinion, Slipping jabs outside or inside are both quite good but if you are a beginner in boxing, I would recommend you stick to slipping outside. Slipping outside is safer and gives you immense opportunity to land your punches.
But if you are a highly experienced boxer, you can any of these techniques according to the situation and circumstances. Great boxer Mike Tyson used the technique of slipping punches outside. He is one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Also Read: 8 Tips To Predict Incoming Punches: Where To Focus In Boxing
FAQs
Q: How Do You Jab and Slip?
You can jab and slip by first performing a quick jab and then putting your head in the correct position so that you can slip the opponent’s jab. You can either slip the jab outside or inside, it depends on your stance and strategy.
Q: How Do You Practice Slipping?
Drills to practice slipping outside:
- Put your front foot forward.
- Allow this movement to rotate your upper body slightly to the right.
- Allow your head to naturally move to the right as you rotate
Drills to practice slipping inside:
- To rotate your hips, push from your back foot.
- Allow your hips to rotate anticlockwise.
- Maintain flexibility by keeping your front knee bent during this rotation.
Q: How Do You Slip and Punch a Heavy Bag?
- Adjust the height of the heavy bag
- punch using any technique and then slip bending your knees down
- Be accurate with your footwork and stance
