Kickboxing

Boxing Training: How to Properly Move Your Head

By January 1, 2014November 9th, 2021No Comments
ali head movement

When you’re Boxing or Kickboxing, you need to move your head so that you create a moving target for your opponent.  Thus, head movement is a basic Boxing technique that every beginner should know.

This article will show you how to move your head. Along with some cool Boxing training drills to help skyrocket your skills.

Ultimately, Boxing is all about not getting hit and then hitting your opponent.

When you’re moving your head you also need to move your hips.

If you’re only moving your head, you’re going to lose the proper alignment you need for your spine and neck.

You want to pretend that you have no neck.

You DON’T want to pretend like you’re Will Ferrell from Night at the Roxbury.

You can see what I mean with this video where I break down step by step how you should move your head.

As well, when you’re Boxing, you need to look at their opponents as they are moving their head to evade punches.

A common mistake as Boxing students move their head to evade punches, whether slipping, ducking or weaving, is to look to the floor.

This mistake will make you more open to counter attacks.  You need to maintain you focus up at his chest as you move your head to make him miss.

You should always expect your training partner to launch additional punches and try to hit you as you are slipping.

So, after you’ve made his straight right hand miss with a well timed slip, expect him to counter attack your slip with a well timed left hook.

By keeping your eyes up you’ll be able to see the counter hook and defend it.

See what I mean with the video below.

Efficiency is the foundation of fighting.  When you’re sparring, you always want to make your opponent miss.

A good Boxer will make their opponent miss.

But a great Boxer will make their opponent just barely miss.

Allow me to explain.  Check out the video below.

Now, let’s pull this all together.  We want to move our head with efficiency.  As well, we want to use our hips and legs as we move our head out of the way of punches.

The goal is to now combine our head movement with counter offensive punches.

Here’s a cool Boxing training drill that summarizes everything we’ve talked about today.

Enjoy!

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip is the Head Instructor for InFighting Training Centers located in Downtown Vancouver and Brentwood Burnaby. InFighting Training Centers offers programs in Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bootcamp Conditioning Classes and Personal Training

Article by

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip is a life long martial artist, BJJ Black Belt, and the head instructor of the InFighting Martial Arts Gym in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Do you live in the Greater Vancouver, or Brentwood Burnaby area?
Are you looking for a Kickboxing program specifically designed for the absolute beginner? Then, come check out our world class 7,000 sq ft facility directly across the street from the Amazing Brentwood Mall. 😃

Let’s Get Started