Learning how to box in the pocket is essential for pressuring your opponent and putting you in position to use your best combinations.
Keep reading to learn how to box in the pocket!
What Does “In The Pocket” Mean?
Boxing “in the pocket” means you’re positioned in the danger zone: anywhere from inside your opponent’s reach to fighting on the inside.
A lot of boxers don’t prefer to fight this way since it forces them to take shots and stay under pressure.
However, the pocket is where your fundamentals and best combinations shine.
It’s also the best range for shorter fighters fighting taller opponents with long reach and for fighting fast opponents who like to run around.
It takes a lot of work to make it to this point and stay here; you have to make it past your opponent’s jabs, feints, and counters.
So instead of popping out of range because you’re scared of getting hit, stay here and take advantage of it.
How To Box “In The Pocket”
Here are some ways you can box in the pocket:
- Relax and Take Some Hits
- Pivot And Use Your Angles
- Throw Tight, Controlled Shots
- Clinch and Escape If You Get Into Trouble
Depending on your boxing style, you may have to use all of these strategies at the same time.
Relax and Take Some Hits
First, relax and be prepared to take some hits in the pocket.
Even though you’re under pressure, remember that so is your opponent.
Stay loose, keep your breathing calm and steady, and look at your opponent’s shoulder line.
Trust your high guard and focus on defense that doesn’t take you out of position or leave you open.
If you are focused on dodging every punch, you won’t be able to throw any of your own.
Relaxing in the pocket will help you save your energy for later rounds and make better decisions.
Pivot And Use Your Angles
Next, pivot and use your angles in the pocket.
At close distance, every angle change becomes crucial.
Take tiny steps: jab laterally and sidestep to create new angles of attack. Stay within your opponent’s orbit and don’t let him escape.
Be grounded with your footwork, otherwise you’ll be out of position and won’t be able to attack or counter in time.
If your opponent sees that you’re hopping around, he’ll attack you when you’re in the air.
See the video below to study how Mike Tyson uses the D’Amato Shift to orbit his opponent.
Even though it looks like he’s bouncing around, he’s still grounded and ready to defend.
Throw Tight, Controlled Shots
Next, throw tight, controlled shots in the pocket.
Focus on body shots, since headhunting in the pocket is a good way to get hit with open shots.
Throw head shots after your opponent begins to defend the body.
When you’re in the pocket, some of your punches will be probing shots (almost like using feints) to see where your opponent’s weak points are.
Some of them aren’t even full punches, but rather just light taps.
Others can miss intentionally, and be used to set up a power shot.
Sometimes you’ll be so close to your opponent that you won’t be able to get the full range of motion with your arms.
Your power will come from the rotation of your arms and hips.
Staying balanced is key here. Your shots should be grounded, coming from your legs and back, rather than from swinging with your arms.
If you are not mentally ready to brawl, don’t throw wild shots that will turn your fight into one.
See the video below to see how Teddy Atlas teaches inside fighting by emphasizing controlled shots with built-in defense.
Clinch and Escape If You Get Into Trouble
Lastly, clinch and escape if you get into trouble in the pocket.
If your opponent is overwhelming you in the pocket, you can use your footwork to disengage and escape.
But if you get into trouble fighting on the inside, this is where you can break the rules a little and where boxing takes a cue from wrestling or grappling.
Grab hold of your opponent’s arms and tie him up while you push back and gain ground.
Or grab your opponent’s head (just for a second!) and manipulate his weight to get him off balance, so you can take an angle.
Even though you can’t use your elbows in boxing, you can use your forearms to quickly push your opponent backwards to create space for you.
Many defensively skilled boxers take unnecessary beatings in the pocket trying to dodge every punch with finesse, when they could just clinch and push their opponent back.
Conclusion
Now that you know these tips, you’ll be better able to handle yourself in the pocket.
Learning how to fight in the pocket is essential. It puts pressure on your opponent and allows you to use your best combinations.
Outside of the ring, drill this by doing light technical sparring while you and your partner each keep your lead foot in a tire.
This forces you to stay within range, use tight technique, and take small angling steps. Most importantly, it teaches you to relax while taking shots.
You can also use a resistance band around your waist to practice jumping into the pocket, landing a power jab, and getting out of range.
On the heavy bag, work on your body combinations, shoulder rolls and defense, and weight manipulation.
When you throw combinations, vary your power with some of your shots, pretending that these are probing shots.
Watch the video below to study how Errol Spence Jr. uses every point discussed here.
He relaxes and rides with the shots in the pocket, focuses on tight shots, pivots and uses his angles, and disengages from the pocket to get his opponent off balance.
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