How to Close the Distance in Boxing

Learn how to quickly close the distance and leap in with hard punches on a defensive opponent. I go over the basic boxing technique and strategy to get yourself into range without getting hit and then causing maximum damage once you're in range.
00:00 - Intro
00:15 - Close distance #1 - The ability to leap in quickly
01:34 - Close distance #2 - Throw a hard jab
02:45 - Close distance #3 - Use your eyes
03:00 - Close distance #4 - Release my feet coming
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[@bradleymartina8610]

You know ever sinds i started boxing/kickboxing i have been watching your vids...at first i didnt understand them at all, and now after nearly a year i finally understand it

[@expertboxing]

oh phew!!! good, because i’d sound crazy if you don’t get it

[@expertboxing]

oh phew!!! good, because i’d sound crazy if you don’t get it

[@TuckerBombBoy78]

This is very very useful tip and not many people know how to get in range and keep there center of down when moving

[@guitarfan84]

thanks Johnny. really important topic, not only with regards to boxing or other combat sports, but street defense.

[@bradleytough]

Really like this. The sinking your weight to be grounded is essential. Balance is key - as Roach says - you have to always be balanced enough to either throw or evade a punch. Sound advice bro. One caveat - maybe here I misunderstood - But I wouldnt be looking at the eyes of your opponent. It limits your vision and can make you miss vital telegraphing clues. Instead I would look at his chest, use peripheral to gauge the fists - but certain movements of the chest telegraph a coming punch.

[@hellfireblack1]

great video bro, keep updating the channel

[@ultimatewarriors1291]

nice this is the technique i use to travel at high speeds

[@expertboxing]

Good idea, I'll show this in a future video.

[@amandarodriguez7166]

Omg i need this tip! Thanksss

[@Arkanthrall]

great tips

[@cheesball96]

As soon as you drop, your opponent automatically thinks you're going to attack his/her's body, so great technique.

[@expertboxing]

I definitely want to do that in the future. There's no room at my place right now so I'll have to wait until I can record in the gym again.

[@Dsano]

Love your videos man! I learned how to jump rope from you, and I'm jumping away, jumping away! The other day someone tried to hit me and I just jump. Lol. Thanks again.

[@user-oh6sz9zm5o]

Thanks very much

[@stillnessinmovement]

nice! in taiji, we do the down/grounded thing as a main focus, have not seen it in boxing before.

[@Staggers9010]

So what if as soon as I come in I eat harder punches then I can throw?

[@jerellem]

What other choice do you have?

[@expertboxing]

That's a different video now. But yeah, that's a tough situation. Hopefully, you can feint and counter. Or keep up your defense and pray that your pressure tires him out.

[@fitnessforeveryone1927]

When you step in and throw the punch move your head off the center line, so if you stand with your left leg forward and you leap in and throw a jab , move your head slightly to the right out of the way

[@chasepennoh9009]

I always used to leap foreward like that when I closed the distance in boxing, my footwork was awful and I was always off balance like that, u gona get fucked up if your footwork is fucked up

[@poloaasasan]

thanks for the video Johnny,i would love to see a video on lunging punches. im not sure if its good or a bad habit but im pretty explosive and like to explode into range with a stiff jab or a combo when i sparr mma

[@kivsa85]

I see myself getting countered right to my nose, but I'll surly try it first. thx brother

[@TheFirstBK]

Love your sound effects haha

[@expertboxing]

Yes, Mike Tyson is a very different case because he suffers a huge reach disadvantage. He has to come in shelled up because his opponents can reach him, when he's still unable to reach his opponent. But for the average person...you and your opponent are more likely to reach each other at the same range (assuming you're fighting at your weight class), so you can open up immediately without having to wade through the unfair strike zone.

[@expertboxing]

It's about not coming in OPEN, it's about coming in with punches. And if you're throwing punches then yes you will be "open" somewhere. But yes, you will still get caught if the counter-puncher is better at countering than you are at attacking. It's a risky move but a great payoff when it works. If you want to see this technique in action, watch how many Mexican boxers attack when they come inside (Chavez Sr, Canelo, etc). And of course, it's better if you do it when they're not ready for it!

[@Minch231]

Good video

[@B1r3andon]

I like how you take your boxers stance immediately after talking and demo lol its cool !

[@expertboxing]

Well it helps to learn defensive boxing techniques....which I've covered in several videos.

[@kenwood5709]

Hi , How about a lesson on quinching-holding. Also one on fighting in very close both in the open and in the corners. Thanks

[@expertboxing]

That's in the works. I'll have to get a partner with me in the video for that one.

[@ciamarrajohn]

Good shit Johnny Very informative, love the channel

[@guitarfan84]

Hi Johnny, tying in with my existing knowledge, 1) do I do a step in jab as a set up to get into range? 2) do I throw a hard jab as I enter or a snapping jab? 3) should I slip my head to the right (as you've shown in previous videos) or left (assuming orthodox) 4) how do we get OUT of range once we delivered the combos? thanks J.

[@hopdashrun]

awesome

[@geevboeksie]

Hey there, first of all thanks for the vid. What you are actually saying is that when you have a relatively huge reach disadvantage. It is smarter to close range shelled up and then unleash? Same movement, only shelled up?

[@expertboxing]

There are many ways to handling a situation. The peek-a-boo defense is only one way.

[@1234567890nam]

alright thanks man. i was confused

[@maisetas]

do you have a video for defensive fighters ?

[@putolfo]

We need a combination video pleasee !!

[@expertboxing]

Haha, awesome!

[@ultimatewarriors1291]

can you please do a video on how togo behind your opponent after doing this technique

[@expertboxing]

If you've cut off the ring and trapped them on the ropes....it'd make no sense to go behind them at that point.

[@expertboxing]

Conventionally, boxers do whatever they need. Maybe in the first round, you test with the jab. Maybe in the 3rd, you test with a full 1-2-3 combination. Tyson also jabs into range at times and walks into range at other times. He's a rare case because he is so short and disadvantaged. The most important thing is that Tyson punches as soon as he gets into range. If you're a longer armed guy, you will punch much sooner than him!

[@guitarfan84]

for the first question, I think it's a bit of both. Conventionally, don't boxers step in with the jab, stick and move, and then deliver combinations as tactically appropriate? I'm also asking tactically; from my understanding the step in jab is used as a setup for other offensive moves. However, boxers like Tyson keep their peekaboo guard up whilst getting into range. Was just wondering your thoughts on other setups for closing the range?

[@expertboxing]

Depends on how he's moving and how you're moving and how everything fits together. It depends.

[@guitarfan84]

In closing the distance, do we come in head on with the opponent facing square, or should we come in at an angle where he's unable to retaliate?

[@haochengshi7477]

very useful tips

[@expertboxing]

1. is this a technical question or a tactical question? 2. whichever one you want 3. whichever one you want. different technique = different effect. 4. by moving away...either backwards, sideways, diagonal, and/or with a pivot

[@expertboxing]

Yes, definitely easier to move around and have better footwork in boxing shoes.

[@osamabinliftin6842]

Would this work as a southpaw? If I tilt to the left as I jab as opposed to leaning to the right as an orthodox fighter.

[@expertboxing]

try it and see :)

[@1234567890nam]

how do you ground your feet.

[@PLEXXX918]

slip bob n weave stick that jab and keep moving forward even if the arm length is a big difference

[@expertboxing]

And there's also a reason why I said the slip to get inside, which frees up your hands for attacking.

[@ThumbsUpOnMyComments]

Hey, can you show us how to jump rope like a boxer?

[@B4LLI5LIFE]

is it easier to do this with shoes?

[@JN-ez8ti]

How do you deal with a fighter who always moved back a lot

[@expertboxing]

Being offensive is the point of coming in. If you want to be defensive, don't even bother coming into range. And thus...coming into range would have to be considered "offensive strategy".

[@abdelghanim]

sometimes work this but not everytime ! i try this but when i come in i get hit with a jab or he put a step back ?

[@nicotargaryen1350]

now pay attention guys these are pro tips

[@expertboxing]

Which combinations do you want to see?

[@tpbisdivine]

truth

[@expertboxing]

Are you talking about a video to beat defensive fighters? Or a video to BE a defensive fighter?

[@expertboxing]

Ground your feet by putting your weight on them. (Much easier said than done.)

[@expertboxing]

Smother him, turn him, or keep him away with your punches. There are many things you can do.

[@halojames7778]

around - down - move

[@expertboxing]

Try it and see.

[@jwpla]

fsssh! WHAM!

[@maisetas]

to be defensive fighter with different styles.

[@Anzomax2]

Believe it or not Floyd uses this a lot

[@joesr31]

I jump in hard jab then get punched in the face

[@expertboxing]

This is how to cut off the ring, not "how to run after an opponent". Sure if you want to chase, you're more than welcome. Chasing is the reason why opponents run away so easily. But if you cut off the ring, it doesn't matter where they run because they have less space to run and eventually run backwards which gives you easy control. "Coming in tight" is not a position, it's a FEELING. You can put your hands wherever you want, but you have to FEEL like you're surrounding and trapping the guy.

[@umermajeed4438]

can a boxer become a pro boxer different country

[@Spinning99]

only in kaikohe new zealand

[@expertboxing]

Yes.

[@expertboxing]

Well obviously this technique won't work if he's better at countering it.

[@2012jjoykutty03]

You leap in like that against someone taller n bigger you would have ur head knocked off the body

[@expertboxing]

You know how to come in against a taller/bigger opponents without taking any risk? Please show me the video of how you would do it.

[@2012jjoykutty03]

expertboxing I don't which is why I was looking for tips. When I was sparring with someone a foot taller than me and a 100lbs more than me. I couldn't even close the distance. Everytime I try to step in he would land a punch. My instructor said the best way to close distance with someone like that is side stepping when they punch and then take it from there. If u go in to their attack range then ur gonna get All kinda hits. So yeah. This technique I've tried n didn't help one bit except bring urself for more hits

[@2012jjoykutty03]

expertboxing also I saw another video where this guy said to drop weight on ur front leg n go down when they punch n that will close the distance with their arms out n then u can counter with body hits and hooks. I tried that and it worked....since u were asking for other methods

[@kingofthering3343]

@@2012jjoykutty03 To be fair, you shouldn't really be sparring somebody who has that much of a size advantage over you. There's a reason why weight classes exists. In sparring, I guess it's okay to be a little more lenient since sparring is for learning. A few pounds and a few inches of height is okay, but a whole 12 inches and 100 pounds is ridiculous. What even is the point of that? You're never going to be fighting somebody his size in a real bout and he won't be fighting someone who is your size either, so there's literally no reason for you to be sparring with someone like that. You don't see 5'6", 130lbs lightweights taking on 6'6", 230lbs heavyweights in professional boxing, so why do it in sparring?

[@2012jjoykutty03]

@@kingofthering3343 He's the heaviest and the tallest and he has 3 yrs of boxing experience. Everyone else is smaller and skinnier than me so our coach always pinned us together to spar so didnt have much option

[@ahm3d331]

Maaaan you talk too fast

[@UnamedUser1]

lol its a video. Subtitles or rewind.