Northwest Fighting Arts
1200 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97214
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And on |
Nov 3rd & Nov 10th, 2011
Over the last two weeks, Professor Jeff
introduced several more boxing combinations.
To me, these were different than previous
combinations in that they required a better sense
of timing (another important element in Portland
boxing at NWFA).
I. Partner Combination Drill versus a Left Kick
to Lead Leg
Version A:
1. Left switch kick (vs left kick to lead leg)
2. Right # 2 knee (vs right straight cross)
3. Right shield arm block and left shoulder stop
(vs left hook)
4. Right #2 knee (vs right straight cross), followed by Thai 4 count:
5. Left kick (to right shield arm block)
6. Right straight cross (to front shield arm block)
7. Left hook (to right shield arm block)
8. Right kick (to left shield arm block)
NUANCES AND TRAINING INSIGHTS
The timing element here was primarily in the first step: the left switch kick should be in response to (but not anticipate!) his or her kick to my lead leg. In this warm up, Professor Jeff wanted us to kick high, to the head, for which my partner had to defend with a right shield arm block. The trick for me in this one was getting the left kicking foot quickly planted following the initial kick, and making sure that I didn’t end up too close to my partner, otherwise I would get nailed by the straight right or be out of position for the #2 knee.
On the topic of the #2 knee, Professor Jeff shared with us a nuance to both the #1 and #2 knees that I was previously unaware of in the Portland boxing curriculum at NWFA. The #1 knee is delivered with both hands ending up (left hand parrying a right straight punch, right arm extended straight and hooking behind opponent’s neck to pull opponent into your kick), with the knee delivered from a more square stance; the #2 knee is delivered with one or both hands ending down (left protecting the chin, chin protected by the right shoulder with right hand down to your side; or left and right hand down to your side, pulling your opponent down to your kick), with the knee delivered from a thrusting hip position.
Version B:
This variation had the attacker (my partner) going for a clinch following my shoulder stop of his or her left hook. The full sequence looked like this:
1. Left switch kick (vs left kick to lead leg)
2. Right # 2 knee (vs right straight cross)
3. Right shield arm block and left shoulder stop (vs left hook)
-Attacker clinches in response to your shoulder stop
4. Disrupt his balance by pivoting his body to your right by simultaneously pulling down his left clinch arm with your right arm and using your left hand for added leverage over his left arm and tipping up your left elbow to force his right elbow up while dropping down on your right. This is a wind up for you to deliver:
5. Right uppercut
6. Left hook (to right shield arm block)
7. Right straight cross (to right and left front shield block), followed by Thai 4 count:
8. Left kick (to right shield arm block)
9. Right straight cross (to front shield arm block)
10. Left hook (to right shield arm block)
11. Right kick (to left shield arm block)
NUANCES AND TRAINING INSIGHTS
The nuance in this is again in the timing, but also in the footwork. When the attacker clinches you following the left shoulder stop, slightly step right and drop your weight by bending at the knees, which will mean relying less on upper body strength.
II. Partner Combination Drill versus a Jab, Cross, Hook
The attacker sequence is this: left jab, right straight cross, left hook, right hook (over defenders left clinch), right straight cross.
The response (with the attacker sequence incorporated) looks like:
1. Right catch block and chip step (vs left jab)
2. Left parry with right over cross (vs right cross)
3. Right shield arm block and LEFT clinch (vs left hook)
4. Pull and spin opponent Dec w/left clinch (vs right hook) and drive in a
5. Right knee
6. Right #2 knee (vs right straight cross)
7. Standard 4: Left kick, right cross, left hook, right kick.
NUANCES AND TRAINING INSIGHTS
As before, the nuance was in the footwork and timing. When your opponent starts his right hook in response to your left clinch (step 4), step back with your left leg, pull attacker in (to disrupt his center and start his momentum towards you) and spin 180 degrees (circling left), keeping your opponent off balance and close-in (don’t spin him away). This way you can use both his and your momentum to drive in a more effective knee (step 4).
This all sounds easier than it really is, by the way, and I am a long way from being comfortable with these (read as: need to do more partner reps). So if you happen to be by Portland NWFA during free gym on a Friday and want to practice some boxing, tap me on the shoulder!
-Howard
Read more about the Applied Fight Training Group and our Portland Boxing Classes
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