"Protect yourself at all times." Every boxer has heard the referee say it. It means exactly what it says on the tin. This video lesson explains what it really means in training and in a fight, whether you are training for self-defence or sports combat.

It is for anyone who trains to fight, and especially for anyone who has noticed that their defence vanishes the moment they start attacking.

Entry, Technique And Exit

Whatever you are training, you must protect yourself in three places:

  • On the entry, as you close the distance
  • During the technique or techniques, while you are working
  • On the exit, as you leave or reset

Most people only think about defence before they attack. Then they go in with the hands and forget about the other person's hands. Then they stand there admiring what they did. Every one of those gaps is a chance to get hit.

Self-Defence And Sports Combat

For self-defence, protecting yourself means keeping a good 360 degree awareness at all times possible. There may be more than one person. There may be weapons. There may be someone behind you. Awareness is your first line of protection, and the best result is always to avoid the fight or get away safely. If you do have to act, the law expects you to use only reasonable force.

For sports combat, it means protecting yourself on every single engagement with your opponent. Every exchange. Not most of them.

Train It Everywhere

You must practise this in every aspect of your training: shadow boxing, drills, paired work, the heavy bag, sparring and of course in the fight. If you leave your chin up on the bag, it will be up in sparring. If you drop your hands after a combination in shadow boxing, you will do it in a fight.

A lot of shadow boxing is wasted for this reason. People throw punches into the air with no thought of a return punch, no movement and no defence. That is not training. It is building bad habits.

How To Practise It

Pick one session and focus only on this. On every combination, check your entry, your technique and your exit. Have a partner or coach call out when your defence drops. Video yourself and look at the moments after each attack. That is usually where the problem is.

Take It Further

For self-defence that builds in protection and awareness, see the Pressure Point Self Defense Course. For sports combat, the Learn To Box Online Course teaches defence on every punch from the start.