Straight attacker versus hand defences | DrillGrid Boxing

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Purpose

Develops realistic straight-punch selection for one boxer and live catching, blocking and parrying decisions for the other.

Setup

Boxer A may attack with controlled lead or rear straight punches to the head
Boxer B may use hand defences and footwork but cannot punch
Swap roles each round
Use only with registered, medically cleared boxers wearing full sparring equipment, inside a boxing ring and under the direct supervision of an appropriately licensed Level 2 coach
Keep contact light and controlled
Stop the drill if either boxer loses control, shape or concentration

Run it

1. Boxer A uses feints, jabs, double jabs and straight rear hands to create clean touches.
2. Boxer B reads the attack and uses catches, blocks, parries or a small step to prevent the score.
3. After each exchange, both remain live and reposition rather than returning to a fixed start.
4. Change roles after 60 seconds and complete two rounds in each role.

Coach checks

A must create the line rather than firing predictable straight punches.
B keeps hand defences compact and does not slap or reach.
Both boxers maintain stance while moving after each exchange.
A controls speed and power because B is not allowed to counter.

Scale it

Easier: A uses the jab only and B may catch or parry.
Harder: B may return one controlled straight counter after a successful defence.

Common faults

A overwhelms B with volume instead of developing the attack - restrict combinations and preserve learning speed.
B relies only on a high guard - encourage catches, parries and small positional adjustments.

Amateur relevance

Builds reliable hand defence against common straight attacks and teaches the attacker to score through intelligent setup rather than force.

Use it

Use as the bridge between technical partner work and live conditioned sparring for developing boxers.