Want to learn how to get out of corner?
The corner of the boxing ring is the last place you want to be. Most of the time you can’t punch your way out.
Breathe, relax, and accept that you’re going to take some shots before you escape.
Keep reading for our tips on how to get out of the corner!
How To Get Out Of The Corner
Here are some ways you can get out of the corner:
- Pivot Out
- Use Your Double Jab While Stepping Forward
- Sidestep
- Throw A Check Hook
- Turn Your Opponent
- Clinch and Tie Up Your Opponent
Footwork is the key to getting out of the corner. As long as you can take a step, you can escape!
Pivot Out
The first way to get out of the corner is to pivot out.
If your opponent is still able to fully extend his jabs and crosses, this means that you’re not cornered yet.
You still have space to step and use your jab normally.
As he steps forward and begins to trap you, plant your front foot and pivot out with your back foot.
You can also time this with a body shot if he advances with a jab, cross, or hook to the head.
This pivot works hand-in-hand with the check hook, which we’ll talk about shortly.
Use Your Double Jab While Stepping Forward
The next way to get out of the corner is to use your double jab while stepping forward.
This will only work if there is still space between you and your opponent.
What’s important here is that your aggressive footwork drives your opponent back, not your punches.
Sidestep
The next way to get out of the corner is to sidestep.
Do this before your opponent smothers you and while you still have space to move.
Feint with your feet one way, make your opponent cut off the ring one way, and then escape the other way.
As you do this, keep your hands up and elbows tight against your body. Expect your opponent to chase you with a hook to the body or head.
Circle out to the middle of the ring and see if you can push your opponent to the ropes instead.
This technique is also useful if you’re against the ropes and need to escape.
Throw A Check Hook
The next way to get out of the corner is to throw a check hook.
This is handy if your opponent gets too excited and rushes towards you in the corner.
Follow the steps above to pivot out. As you plant your lead foot and swing your back foot out, throw a lead hook.
Your timing is crucial to landing the check hook; you only get one chance at this shot as your opponent steps forward.
Once he smothers you, it’s difficult to throw your hook and pivot out at the same time.
As you land the hook, use the rotation of your body to escape out of the corner.
At 5:25 in the video below, see how Floyd Mayweather Jr. lures Ricky Hatton into the corner and lands a check hook.
Hatton had been charging Mayweather into the corner for the whole fight, so Mayweather tried this move a number of times before landing successfully.
Turn Your Opponent
The next way to get out of the corner is to turn your opponent.
This is handy if your opponent is throwing wild, unbalanced shots.
From here, you have the opportunity to reverse the situation and put him in the corner.
Grab hold of your opponent’s arms or waist quickly and pull/rotate him into the corner as you step out of the way and take his spot.
Do this fast and keep it subtle, since grabbing and holding is illegal in boxing.
One way we like to do this is to throw a straight punch off to the side that intentionally misses.
This gives you leverage to swing your extended arm and sweep your opponent to the ropes as you move toward the center of the ring.
You can also do this technique without your arms.
When your opponent is leaning on you, shift your body weight back and forth with sidesteps one way and the other.
As your opponent adjusts to one side, escape on the other side.
See the video below to see how to turn your opponent without grabbing him.
Clinch and Tie Up Your Opponent
The last way to get out of the corner is to clinch and tie up your opponent, if all else fails.
Sometimes the techniques above don’t work on your opponent.
Use this if you’re beginning to curl into a ball and can’t wait for your opponent to tire out.
This technique is also effective against smart opponents that stay balanced, spread out their shots, and even back out of the pocket or shift side to side to keep you in the corner for as long as possible.
Once the referee comes and breaks it up, the range resets.
Use that time and distance to reposition yourself so you don’t get stuck in the corner again.
Conclusion
Use these tips the next time you need to get out of the corner.
Of course, the best tip is to avoid the corner in the first place. Have ring awareness and always redirect the fight back to the middle of the ring.
Even if you dodge or parry most of the punches in the corner, the judges will favor your opponent’s aggression and ring control.
On the other hand, consider these tips to keep your opponent in the corner:
- Expect a check hook when your opponent pivots or sidesteps.
- Keep your weight on the back foot so you don’t get turned into the corner.
- Back off from attacking when your opponent starts to clinch.
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