What is sparring in boxing? Close combat in boxing - training methodology Training boxer fight

Close range combat is an important part of modern combat technology. In close combat, only strong blows are considered effective, this is especially true with the new approach to scoring points in fights. Each blow must be delivered powerfully, with the obligatory inclusion of rotational and rotational-translational movements of the body in the blow. At close range, in rare cases, a series of three or more strikes should be applied. It is necessary mainly to apply strong single blows and combinations of two strikes, and they must be applied selectively, alternating with active defense, from different directions and in open places.

The proportion of side punches in close combat is much greater than that of low blows, but low blows, especially to the head, are a powerful weapon in the technique of the strongest boxers. When analyzing the boxing technique of our boxers at domestic competitions, in rare cases you will see the effective use of low blows to the head in close combat. It is necessary to make it a rule that in close combat, blows from below to the head are an effective weapon in achieving victory. As for the use of side punches, it is also easy to notice the rare use by our boxers of a side right to the head. And in the rarest cases you can see our boxers performing side kicks to the body.

It is necessary to reconsider the technique of applying side blows and blows from below in close combat. It is necessary to deliver stronger accented blows and put more mass into the blow, and be sure to use the rotational movement of the body to increase its strength. It is especially important to teach boxers to correctly strike from below to the head, using strong extension movements of the torso. An important circumstance in this case is the position of the fist when striking from below and from the side. The correct position of the fist when striking increases its strength, creates a rigid chain: hand - forearm - shoulder, and also reduces hand injuries. The most optimal position for achieving these goals is the final position of the fist, when the back of the glove is directed towards the opponent.

The modern idea of close combat dictates the need to quickly use, after entering close range, a more grouped stance with the obligatory transfer of body weight to the front leg. By being only one and two tenths of a second late, the boxer risks losing the situation in the subsequent development of the close fight.

To successfully master the elements of close-range combat, it is necessary to make extensive use of simulation exercises at the beginning of training. Performing these exercises improves boxers' ability to control their torso (transferring body weight from one leg to the other, feeling the general center of gravity - hereinafter referred to as “body weight”) both in place and in motion. Only after performing these exercises well, when the boxers “feel” the presence of body weight when performing certain blows, can they move on to studying the elements of close-range fighting techniques.

A boxer, when performing strikes at close range, must alternate them with performing certain types of defenses, such as dodging, diving, squats and blocks. Therefore, after learning blows from below to the body and head, it is necessary to move on to more complex exercises, where you will alternate blows from below and from the side, single and combinations of two blows with certain types of defenses. In this case, it is necessary to go from simple to complex in training, namely: first, single strikes are used and after them variants of defenses, then single strikes are repeated, but always after performing certain types of defenses, and then the boxer is given more complex tasks with performing combinations of defenses and strikes . The main task in the subsequent exercises is to teach the boxer to effectively alternate blows in close combat with certain types of defenses, i.e. to be maximally “charged” for a strong blow, but at the same time to be maximally protected from enemy attacks.

All exercises at the first stage of training are performed by the boxer from a frontal stance position, then the boxer is asked to perform the entire above set of simulation exercises from a position closer to the usual fighting position, but more grouped.

When studying and improving side kicks, the following rule must be observed: when delivering a left side punch to the head, the weight of the boxer's body during the blow must be transferred to the right leg to increase the radius of rotation, and, as a result, increase the force of the blow. When delivering a side blow with the right to the head, the body weight must be transferred to the left leg, which also increases the force of the blow. The same rule must be followed when delivering side blows to the body.

When performing exercises to teach defensive options at close range, the following should be noted. Melee defense can be active or passive. Passive defense is used mainly in cases where a boxer cannot actively fight for some time due to a “groggy” state or being in an awkward position (corner of the ring, near the ropes). In some cases, passive defense is also used tactically to avoid combat at close range, as well as to tire the enemy in the first half of the fight in order to proceed to active actions in the second part of the fight. Active defense involves the use of those options for defensive actions that will make it possible to effectively defend yourself and, at the same time, without losing control of the enemy’s actions, quickly move on to active actions. In some cases, close combat requires the use of both active and passive defense, i.e. combine them depending on the situation in the ring.

Further exercises should be structured according to a scheme where one boxer attacks alternately or by choice, while the other defends passively or counterattacks (in response). After learning these specific drills, boxers will master basic defensive movements, striking, and close-quarters punching combinations.

Subsequent exercises are performed in a slightly more complicated form. The scheme of these exercises is as follows: attack, defense, counterattack, i.e. The attacking boxer, after delivering a blow or a combination of blows, defends himself from the counterattacking blows of his partner and, after defending, delivers a blow or a combination of blows again.

Next, the boxer is offered special exercises that directly solve broader technical problems of improving close-range combat. It is necessary to gradually increase the complexity of performing special exercises, starting from solving narrow problems to performing exercises with broad tactical tasks.

The next, final series of special exercises should directly bring boxers closer to those combat situations and solutions to broad tactical problems in close combat that they may encounter during fights in the ring. These exercises can be offered to those boxers who have already sufficiently mastered all the close combat skills that they acquired during the previous exercises. To perform the following set of exercises, appropriate equipment is required. Boxers should learn the exercises with a helmet, a mouthguard, a brace, and if possible, especially at the beginning of this complex, use 12-14 ounce gloves. The weight of the gloves can be reduced in the future.

Here are a few exercises in the final complex.

Ex. N 1. Both boxers perform the same task. They are given the task of delivering single blows from below and from the side to the body and blows from below to the head. In this case, it is prohibited to deliver short direct blows, side blows to the head, or use defense with a step back.

Ex. N 2. Both boxers perform the same task. They are given the task of delivering only combinations of two strikes in any combination; they are prohibited from using short straight strikes and step-back defense.

Ex. N 3. One boxer applies only single blows (from below, from the side), the other - only combinations of two blows (from below, from the side). Boxers are instructed to constantly change their punching options. Among the options for protection, it is recommended to use stands, blocks, dives, slopes, and squats.

Ex. N 4. Both boxers perform the same task. They are given the task of delivering single strikes and combinations of two strikes, and it is necessary to consistently alternate single strikes and combinations of strikes.

Ex. N 5. One boxer throws only series of three punches, the other only throws single punches. When performing this exercise, the advantage of the boxer who throws single punches should appear.

Ex. N 6. Both boxers perform the same task. They are instructed to use direct blows to the head and torso at long range (a secondary task), and when entering close range (the main task) to use the entire arsenal of techniques for fighting at close range.

The coach, based on his work experience, can add and expand all sections of the exercises with those exercises that, in his opinion, can more effectively fulfill the main task - to teach our boxers to conduct close combat.

Based on materials from an article by A.I. Kachurin, V.A. Kiselev and O.V. Kravchenko:
Kachurin A.I. Methodological basis for teaching close combat in boxing / Kachurin A.I., Kiselev V.A., Kravchenko O.V. // Anniversary collection of works by scientists of the Russian State Academy of Physical Culture, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the academy. - M., 1998. - T. 4. - P. 115-118

Sparring in boxing is an educational training, but almost real fight, which is carried out with the aim of comprehensive preparation for the tournament, aimed at practicing technology, speed and tactics. Sparring is an important process in preparing for a fight. In boxing there is such a thing as a sparring partner - an athlete who performs in sparring to train a stronger and more famous boxer.

Purpose of sparring

When boxer works in pairs, the so-called conditional battle, both receive tasks (work only with the right hand, protection only by retreating and dodging, etc.), they box easily, but in sparring there is a sense of danger and unpredictability. A sparring partner helps you feel the upcoming fight and hone your tactics, skills and impact speed. The boxer thus gets used to strong blows and feels more confident during a real fight.

Boxing sparring video

How much time should you devote to sparring?

Sparring is, of course, an important part of the preparation for the upcoming fight, and must be carried out in full so that the athlete can fully navigate during the fight in the ring. Therefore, athletes should devote a lot of attention and time to such training. It is by thinking through each fight well, analyzing and correcting mistakes made, and using trained techniques and combinations that sparring will give what is needed. With each well-thought-out fight, the boxer improves in his skill. Sparring is also called free combat, it is not required here impact force, which may cause unnecessary caution boxers, but rather the ease and speed of decision making. Freestyle combat develops a sense of distance, time and speed reaction in difficult combinations.

Development of tactics in sparring

In the ring Each movement must carry a certain tactical move. So, for example, fussy moving your legs will not do anything good except fatigue. That is why it is necessary to control attacks; they must be carried out quickly and completely, almost with lightning speed. Starting from the correct distance, and ending with the delivery of the blow itself, everything must be thought out, only cold-blooded and accurate blows, since a hail of useless blows takes away a lot of strength, and this is best avoided. Calmness will help you retain more strength. It is very easy to remember incorrect movements, from which it is subsequently difficult to wean a boxer. For example, the most common mistakes are: hit not a clenched fist enough, hook with the inside of the glove with a slightly bent hand. The boxer must constantly monitor his position and try to maintain it. To develop good tactics, fighter must diversify the fight very much - move from distance combat to infighting and back, be unpredictable, know from what distance he will deliver the most accurate blow during an attack.

The purpose of boxing sparring
Place of sparring in the training process
Equipment value

Training fight, in other words sparring, is an integral part of being any boxer. The absence of a task, maximum proximity to real combat, its main difference from working in pairs. As opposed to training, full strength is allowed in sparring. The training battle partner is called sparring partner.

The purpose of boxing sparring

Gives you the opportunity to hone your skills, prepare for upcoming fights, or maintain fighting shape. Does not allow the boxer to lose the sense of danger. During everyday training, all rounds go according to a clearly defined plan and a friendly atmosphere reigns in the gym, which dulls the sense of danger, which in a real fight with a boxer can play a cruel joke. An athlete who is not accustomed to, may not be ready for a fight with a tougher fighter; the outcome of such a fight will be a loss, even despite superior speed and.

Place of sparring in the training process

In order to additionally protect the hands from possible damage, you should use, preferably long ones - fixing each finger. They will also protect your gloves from unpleasant odors, since a boxer’s hands sweat a lot during training, and some of the moisture will be absorbed by the bandages.

Another important piece of equipment that should always be used is for sparring. It partially absorbs and neutralizes impacts, since every precise blow to the head causes microconcussions, and the brain is the main control center of the body, which you will still need.

That's all for me. See you on the pages of my blog.

We wish you success!

Close combat in boxing

Close combat in boxing - training method

Close range fighting is an important part of modern boxing technique. In close combat, only strong blows are considered effective, this is especially true with the new approach to scoring points in fights. Each blow must be delivered powerfully, with the obligatory inclusion of rotational and rotational-translational movements of the body in the blow.

Melee combat is more reminiscent of ruthless slaughter and has a number of corresponding features. Unlike classic long-distance boxing, in close combat there is practically no time to calculate and think about where to strike. In close combat, it is important to act instantly, on reflexes due to actions worked out to perfection.

Close combat is a very important part of the boxing arsenal. Often the outcome of a battle depends on your melee skills. Mastering close combat boxing techniques requires hard, persistent, and lengthy training, including physical training.

Close combat in boxing. Strikes, stance and movement. Boxing lessons

Melee tactics

Practicing close combat can begin only after mastering the basic principles of boxing at long and medium distances.

There are three main tasks of close combat:

carrying out attacking and counterattacking actions
defense, quick entry and exit from close interaction with an opponent
exhausting the opponent and reducing his effectiveness

Technical and tactical principles of close combat

Close combat is the most dynamic type of combat, which includes a number of techniques that form a spectrum of combat means - strikes with a bent arm - side blow, uppercut, defense against similar attacks - dives, dodges, techniques for beginning and ending contact.

To master close combat, you need to spend a lot of time learning and training the same combat movements. So that in the fight itself you don’t have to think, but immediately act reflexively. If a boxer begins to think and calculate his actions at a short distance, then he may get lost and panic. And in close combat this is the path to defeat. Here you need to go forward and fight, and the key to victory is combinations trained to automaticity. In close combat, a boxer must be ready to exchange blows.

Therefore, when training close combat, most of the time is spent working in pairs and sparring.

Body position

The outcome of a close fight largely depends on the position of a boxer's body. A stable position allows you to quickly attack, defend, counterattack and move to the required distance, and use the full variety of tactical actions. This position is characterized by an almost frontal stance, stable feet and slightly bent legs, due to which the center of body mass is reduced and stability is ensured when interacting with an opponent.

Adopting a shaky posture entails a loss of balance, dispersion of attention, an increase in reaction time, attack, counteraction and going to a long distance.

Effect of muscle tension

By grouping and eliminating unnecessary muscular tension, the athlete gains an advantage in close combat, since he will not need to waste extra energy on an effective attack, countermeasures, defense, etc.

An open posture and excessive muscle tension lead to negative consequences in contact at a short distance, since the effectiveness of a boxer’s actions decreases due to rapid fatigue, decreased resistance, and weakened will.

If every movement of a boxer is rationalized, he will be able to implement the decision made in the shortest possible time and with a minimum of physical effort. This saves energy and leads to achieving your goal.

Precision and speed of movements

The basic quality of a boxer who fights at close range is accuracy and sharpness of movements, thanks to which he gets the opportunity to take the initiative and carry out an effective attack.

When approaching an opponent, a fighter must alternate between muscle relaxation and tension. In this case, you should use only those muscle groups that are important for the implementation of the selected tactical action. By reducing the period of muscle tension, the boxer saves his strength and increases his performance time, as a result of which he is able to work as energetically as possible.

The ability to coordinate your movements also plays an important role. Before delivering a targeted strike, the fighter must take a stable starting position, allowing him to use the muscle groups needed at the moment.

Seizing the initiative

The successful completion of a duel in general and close combat in particular is determined by the fighter’s ability to seize the initiative. Before entering close range, you need to prepare to seize the initiative in order to force your opponent to defend, to subordinate his actions to your plan.

To do this, you need to force your opponent into a position that allows you to carry out the intended technique. To do this, a technique is used that forces the opponent to take an unstable position or open up. So, before delivering a left blow from below and the next accurate side right to the head, a lead-away blow (or several) with the right is performed to the opponent’s head, forcing him to defend himself by moving to the right. At this point, the planned left kick can be effectively implemented.

Methodological basis for training close combat in boxing

In close combat, you should deliver the strongest possible accented blows and put a lot of mass into the blow, and be sure to use the rotational movement of the body to increase its strength. It is especially important for a boxer to correctly strike from below to the head, while using strong extension movements of the torso.

The position of the fist when striking from below and from the side is also important. The correct position of the fist when striking increases its strength, creates a rigid chain: hand - forearm - shoulder, and also reduces the risk of hand injuries. The most optimal position for achieving these goals is the final position of the fist, when the back of the glove is directed towards the opponent.

When approaching close range, the boxer must quickly use a more grouped stance with the obligatory transfer of body weight to the front leg. By being only one and two tenths of a second late, the boxer risks losing the situation in the subsequent development of the close fight.

To successfully master the elements of close-range combat, it is necessary to make extensive use of simulation exercises at the beginning of training. Performing these exercises improves boxers' ability to control their torso (transferring body weight from one leg to the other, feeling the general center of gravity - hereinafter referred to as “body weight”) both in place and in motion. Only after performing these exercises well, when the boxer “feels” the presence of body weight when performing certain strikes, can one move on to studying the elements of close-range fighting techniques.

When performing strikes at close range, the boxer must alternate them with performing certain types of defenses, such as dodging, diving, squatting and blocks. Therefore, after learning blows from below to the body and head, it is necessary to move on to more complex exercises, where you will alternate blows from below and from the side, single and combinations of two blows with certain types of defenses. In this case, it is necessary to go from simple to complex in training, namely: first, single strikes are practiced and after them variants of defenses, then single strikes are repeated, but always after performing certain types of defenses, and then the boxer is given more complex tasks with performing combinations of defenses and strikes . The main task in the subsequent exercises is to teach the boxer to effectively alternate blows in close combat with certain types of defenses, i.e. to be maximally “charged” for a strong blow, but at the same time to be maximally protected from enemy attacks.

When studying and improving side kicks, the following rule must be observed: at the moment of delivering a side blow with the left hand to the head, the weight of the boxer’s body during the blow must be transferred to the right leg to increase the radius of rotation, and, as a result, increase the force of the blow. When delivering a side blow with the right to the head, the body weight must be transferred to the left leg, which also increases the force of the blow. The same rule must be followed when delivering side blows to the body.

When performing exercises to teach defensive options at close range, the following should be noted. Melee defense can be active or passive. Passive defense is used mainly in cases where a boxer cannot actively fight for some time due to a “groggy” state or being in an awkward position (corner of the ring, near the ropes). In some cases, passive defense is also used tactically to avoid combat at close range, as well as to tire the enemy in the first half of the fight in order to proceed to active actions in the second part of the fight. Active defense involves the use of those options for defensive actions that will make it possible to effectively defend and, at the same time, without losing control of the enemy’s actions, quickly go on the attack. In some cases, close combat requires the use of both active and passive defense, i.e. combine them depending on the situation in the ring.

Exercises in pairs should be structured according to a scheme where one boxer attacks alternately or by choice, and the other defends passively or counterattacks (in response). After learning these specific drills, boxers will master basic defensive movements, striking, and close-quarters punching combinations.

Several exercises in the final complex

Ex. N 5. One boxer throws only series of three punches, the other only throws single punches. When performing this exercise, the advantage of the boxer who throws single punches should appear.

Examples of exercises when working in pairs.

Basically these are various three-hit punch combinations. It is also important to practice the skills of getting closer and breaking the distance. This is especially true against taller and longer-armed opponents who prefer to box at a long distance, using a jab, or at a medium distance, actively connecting with a straight right. A classic example of a distance failure is the double-step shuttle. That is, first there are several cycles of movement in a regular shuttle - back and forth, back and forth, and then sharply back and forth.

You can break the distance by ducking or diving, ducking under the enemy's leading hand. You need to catch such a moment of breaking the distance, and before that you need to constantly work with the jab. The front hand of a boxer intending to move into close combat should not hang idle - blows must be delivered constantly, preparing the ground for a breakthrough.

The enemy must be kept in constant tension. You can partially practice these skills at home in front of a mirror. But without working in pairs and sparring, in boxing, and especially if you are practicing close combat, there is nothing to do.

The role of combinations in the arsenal of a boxer fighting in close combat - examples of combinations

Combinations are of great importance for short-range combat. Movements must be honed to the point of automaticity. Preference is given to three-hit combinations. They allow you to open the enemy's defenses and deliver a powerful blow. It is the third - the final blow in the series - that should be accentuated, the most powerful. In close combat, side punches and uppercuts are used mainly.

I have three favorite, signature combinations that have worked well in practice.

First combination: right side to the body, left side to the head and left side to the liver;
Second combination: right side to the head, left side to the head, left side to the liver;
Third combination: right side to the body, right uppercut, left side to the liver. This combination requires some skill to master, but is very powerful and effective.

You can find out about other combinations here:

Close combat - exercises for working in pairs at close range

Endurance training

Close combat requires good physical preparation. What kind of loads and exercises need to be performed if a boxer relies on close combat?

Short-range combat requires high strength endurance. This is constant pressure - the enemy is constantly being worn down. In classic long-distance boxing, you need, first of all, good breathing - after all, the boxer is constantly moving. But in close combat you need strength endurance and running alone is not enough.

To train strength endurance, it is advisable to use weights, but do not overdo it with weight - the emphasis is on a large number of repetitions.

You should start this workout, as usual, with a warm-up for 15-20 minutes. After this, you can spend 3-4 rounds of practicing strikes and combinations, as well as shadow boxing with dumbbells or weights weighing 0.5-1.5 kg. The first round can be done with heavier dumbbells, and subsequent rounds gradually reduce the weight, increasing the speed of the exercise. Next, you should move on to training your legs. Jumping jacks, jumping jacks and squats are ideal here. When doing squats, you should use a barbell with a not very heavy weight - so that you can perform 15-30 repetitions in one approach for 3-4 sets.

At the end of such a workout, you should leave the bar. The exercise is performed as follows - the boxer stands in a frontal position, takes the bar and begins to throw it intensively - either upwards or forwards and upwards. The goal is to throw it out as quickly as possible, while trying to increase the number of repetitions in each workout. You can throw the bar out not in a frontal, but in a classic boxing stance. This training harmoniously develops the boxer's strength endurance - which is very necessary for close combat.

In general, weights play a significant role in the development of modern boxers. It’s just important not to overdo it and avoid enslavement. The rules here are simple. Most weight training exercises are best performed for high repetitions. For example, I recommend doing the bench press for 40 repetitions and working on speed, trying to do one set as quickly as possible. Gradually, during training, the weight of the barbell should be slightly increased. At the same time, you should give up strengthening exercises, such as biceps curls, bent-over rows, etc. A boxer is best suited for various presses, that is, those exercises where the barbell moves away from you. Most pulls, where the projectile moves towards you, strengthen the boxer, increasing the volume and mass of muscles that are weakly involved in the blow.

I recommend reading the book Close Combat in Boxing - Book by E. I. Ogurnikov. In the book, the author talks and comprehensively reveals the technique and tactics of boxer fighting at close range and the methodology for teaching close combat techniques. Download the book: Close combat in boxing - Book by E. I. Ogurnikov

I wish you all success, practice boxing, be healthy and strong, good luck!