The Real Reason You Can't Get Inside and Land Punches in Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai

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[@hard2hurt]

If this type of explanation or instruction is helpful to you, you can check out our online courses at hard2hurt.teachable.com

[@timw3485]

How about teaching distance and how to aim.

[@basteagui]

@@timw3485 idk about icy mike but i have a drill where i use a metal grate that my hand can go through. i started punching really slow so as not to hit the metal and mess up my hand. real slowly speeding it up until i can put my hand through the holes that i want without hitting the metal and going seriously OW. it doesn't even have to be a fist you can just put knife hands through the grate. a less retard3d way of doing it would probably be with a tennis ball, make it bounce and catch it just in time with your punch.

[@timw3485]

@@basteagui if you want to learn how to aim your punches you have to know how to line up and get your distance. If you learn how to aim your punches you will hit your opponent more often and with more power. I can teach you how to aim your punches!

[@thisisbaxter1354]

Do a video for “Leaving the clinch”

[@basteagui]

@@timw3485 i have really good aim now. thx i'm even doing the tennis ball thing too, i got that from a boxing trainer

[@paulcastleman8557]

Why dance with a girl this Valentine's day when I can dance around my apartment by myself throwing punches, honing my footwork skilz

[@davybigfly]

Why punch around yohr apartment when you can assault your girlfriend?

[@Brass_Heathen]

@@davybigfly this got pretty dark within like 2 comments.... SMH. everyday further from the light.

[@davybigfly]

@@Brass_Heathen yeouch that hurt my feelings

[@thebodykeepsthescore2828]

Because after you are done dancing with a girl you can backdoor her. Cant do that if you're on your own working footwork skillz🤪 Upstairs for thinking, downstairs for dancing😏

[@thebodykeepsthescore2828]

@@Brass_Heathen What light would that be?

[@TheDanielmeeks]

How to get in and land punches “First thing your going to want to do is tell them jiu jitsu wasn’t made for small people. At this point they’ll be visibly confused. This is when you step in and land your favorite combo”

[@Abaddon5850]

Love it. Thank you

[@GTchum]

I am visibly confused

[@spacex7495]

I've had experience telling them that Nate Diaz is the most famous ballerina. They were flabbergasted. So then I stepped in and landed my 3 piece.

[@Liquidcadmus]

I realized when I got into kickboxing that the first few months of training are just simply learning how to get punched in the face.

[@RB-ye4ri]

It is good to get punched in the face in training learnings. You learn how to take it, to not be shocked, and to Not get hit. Also you learn how to SEE. (Especially Hooks )

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

@@RB-ye4ri always remember the 1st good one you caught. Only one that has ever mattered.

[@Abaddon5850]

Yep

[@martinch.6257]

the problem is that people are afraid of getting inside the hitting range of the opponent; they are simply afraid, consciously or not, of getting hit. Because it takes a lot of nerve and practice for someone to trust his or her defense capabilities.

[@basteagui]

not only that but you can get into a punching exchange that doesn't get results. i recommend counter punching instead. you make them overcommit by throwing bait. instead of having a contest of endurance and punching prowess, make it about brains. i even make a stupid face to sell the bait.

[@driver3899]

@@basteagui Unless that's just wat are hoping for so they can counter your counter..

[@jpsoriano899]

@@driver3899 then suddenly the spirit of ali bestows unbelievable reflexes upon you and you counter the counter to your counter.

[@driver3899]

@@jpsoriano899 This is the Way

[@desmondstephen9942]

When I spar I work a lot of blocking. It may be impractical to try to block everything in a fight but in sparring it's great practice and gets you comfortable coming in for power punches.

[@Jonas-ti1py]

"I just added 6"... which I'm told is very significant." -This killed me😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@coolman54061]

self esteem boost💀

[@0608barca]

The deadpan look at the camera afterwards was the icing on the cake 😂

[@DaroLinguiniJohnson]

It's a game of inches A lot of people lost that game at birth including me.

[@thebodykeepsthescore2828]

Correction: It's a game of millimetres and inches. Makes it all the more punishing😂

[@JCPRuckus]

@@thebodykeepsthescore2828 - All you did was make me think of how wildly different life would be between packing 10 inches and packing 10 mm... Lol

[@solomia5037]

if you got less inches stock out the womb then you add some acceleration to cover the distance

[@informedcitizen8687]

The reason why most amateur fighters have trouble getting inside is they're afraid of being in range of a counter punch.

[@shaylamckay1174]

For me that I believe is 100% my issue but i eat punches like crazy so idek why im so scared of it

[@BayushiAramoro]

@@shaylamckay1174 The same thing happened to me, and in the transition from traditional martial arts to combat sports, little by little I "learned to fight", to overcome that problem (there are people who when we train their style and rules are far superior to me, but having overcome my problem with sparring, although "losing" I always gain experience). In my case, what helped me the most was a teacher who was very, very skillful and strong, very careful in his counter techniques but hitting; who could also attack without fear of hurting or being hurt or knocked out (obviously in times of more sparring I had to do less because of migraines and dizziness). And today as a teacher, I emphasize the bases (such as footwork), and I use different types of timing, sometimes in controlled full contact or just "points", but the key is to train explosively but technically and controlled, knowing how to go very gradual. It is the European style of kickboxing, at first it seems too soft. That and lending myself to the sparring of my students, made that (very gradually, two years or more, from scratch) they have also overcome that problem (but there is a minority of people who have the opposite problem, by combining self-confidence with skill, lol)

[@amartya9034]

Their counter punch can land on me. When it earns that right by dealing with my punch before

[@daniellozan350]

I have the issue of the footwork , i dont fear anymore punches

[@markzelle2209]

I spar with this guy who is 6 inches taller and has longer limbs. I'm 5,5 and he only really goes for the body and doesn't care if he gets hit. I'm smaller and it's not too hard to get in and out, but when I counter or throw normal punches like straights or hooks, he counters and gets good body shots and sometimes he gets liver shots that sometimes drop me. Help please

[@SenseiSeth]

It’s cause my arms are 92 feet long

[@samthemememan7399]

Same

[@enmanueltejeda2755]

I wish, I got dinosaur arms

[@driver3899]

Karate gives you long arms, it's scientifically proven

[@driver3899]

@RED CHUCKS That is freaking amazing

[@driver3899]

@RED CHUCKSso many savage kicks delivered, leg is now much longer

[@MarquisVonMonster]

I died when he said “good girl muscles and bad girl muscles” 🤣

[@claywars_205]

Ikr 😂 I thought he was about to tell us the actual names of the muscles, but I think he forgot what they were called, so he just said that instead. His examples for this video are gold. 🤣

[@gbormann71]

Good/bad? Right.

[@cainmorano4956]

It's a truth. The first time I was kickboxing I got hit and thought it was because of every mistake I could have made. The senior student and instructor shared their sage wisdom with almost puzzled looks at my wonder : it's a fight, you get hit.

[@alexzanderroberts995]

"We get 6 inches, which I am told is significant" Thanks for that golden quote. Everyone else: Noooo you can't just quote the video and add a single sentence comment and expect to be top comment Me: unoriginal comment goes brrrrrr

[@Brass_Heathen]

The dead pan at the camera just made it. 😂

[@TheGreatWynd]

100% lol

[@metaflexONE]

Came here to say this looool

[@datguy9408]

Hehehe

[@jacobstewart2235]

Not sure if it's a dong joke or a short joke.

[@jasonbailey9302]

The problem with people that don’t fight or haven’t ever fought is that they’re scared of getting hit. Like a person scared to bat against a pro pitcher, scared to get hit. The only way to get good at fighting is to train and to FIGHT.

[@ceckolalovia]

True. I got hit my last training behind the ear and I didn't even felt it then. But I have huge headache from that even the next day. Should I continue training? Or rest from sparrings for now and then go again when Im recovered?

[@MrTheTomahawk]

@@ceckolalovia u probably dead by now but anytime u having headaches after getting hit behind the head its good to check for concussions. Real easy to shake the brain sum serious that way

[@aneeshvarma6964]

@@ceckolaloviarest

[@newagain9964]

@@ceckolalovia head blows require rest days. Certainly and specifically NON CONTACT number of days of “rest”. I typically go 3 weeks (min) between (hard) spars.

[@FightCommentary]

This is one of the best videos, Mike! Thanks for this great reflection and lesson!

[@e.l.2734]

It is, lol I literally got up in my pjs and proceeded to check my own stance.

[@bumpedli]

Okay, I'm off to train my good girl muscles and bad girl muscles!

[@Dzingzing]

huh

[@rights_vs_wrong1956]

@@Dzingzing Good girl muscles keep the legs closed. Bad girl muscles keep them open. Its gym humor.

[@brooksmiller5597]

6:04 this had my dying :D

[@FredKuneDo]

I told someone, who asked why she isn't ready for sparring training: "You first have to invest more time in your basic footwork. Doesn't bring you anything to punch and kick good, when you are not fast and safe enough with your stances and movements."

[@gigachadantisoy8178]

I wish someone had told me this I was so focused on punches that I could punch very hard like very hard but when it came to actually sparring I could ever land a punch

[@keyllonguevara1110]

1:20 reminds me of Former Bellator and One World Champion,Ben Askren .

[@DogScience]

It's "Greatest Welterweight Of All Time," Ben Askren. Get it right!

[@BWater-yq3jx]

One of the better aging comments 😏

[@josephperry27]

The one dislike is easy2hurt

[@driver3899]

I wish I could do a good IcyMike impression just so I could start a channel called Easy2Hurt Then fill it with videos about to use Kubatons and Aikido in da streetz

[@edwartpage3237]

@@driver3899 Great idea do it I will follow you! 👍

[@akshaykali7037]

@@driver3899 also do a video about sidekicks work

[@akayokalumba5151]

I just broke a grown mans tooth today. He tried to jump me with his friends but I was too hard to hurt👊👊 thanks Mike for keeping me safe the old me would have been helpless

[@JukemDrawles87]

Cool, jab or right hand?

[@jacobstewart2235]

@@JukemDrawles87 Side kick, believe it or not.

[@JukemDrawles87]

@@jacobstewart2235 niiiiice stay safe

[@akayokalumba5151]

@@JukemDrawles87 both. He was way taller and muscular he was prob in his early 30s and I'm only 22. He slaped me and then I threw a jab, faked a jab to the body then hit him with a right to the face and broke his teeth, his friend tried to jump in but I saw him with from the side and slipped his punches and faced him. He seemed scared and started to back up then I had enough space to get out of there, they didn't dare follow me

[@JukemDrawles87]

@@akayokalumba5151 hell yeah us smaller guys can definitely do damage. Did you duck that second guys attack or was it like a slip to the side? Nice setup too

[@zorgath420]

People winning at the highest levels making errors deontay Wilder: 👀

[@jondeth6242]

so true

[@farkinarkin5099]

When I'm eating combinations, I am close enough. Not eating the combinations is the tricky part. x_*

[@continuouslylucky9667]

Years of bag abusing gave me too much confidence. A few years sparring without tuition took it away, and I had no idea what I was doing wrong. Thank you for clearing that up nicely for me. Next thing I need is a speed ball ;)

[@SunTzuMedia]

You got to just bite down and get in there, kid! 🇺🇸👊

[@eh687]

You might actually be the best info and content creator on youtube. Consistently honest, intelligent, hilarious and well executed. Thank you for sharing so many great videos.

[@eduardoreksiedler6574]

This channel really helps a fresh practitioner to break some of the barriers that they didn’t know existed. Really great stuff, keep it up 👍🏼

[@boombubble5560]

Is anybody else weirdly charmed by the way he says “BOP” when he punches?

[@matthewmurphy7243]

"Yeah but then I'll get hit" "No, well, maybe... but we're fighting..." 😂😂😂

[@edgarrodriguez2332]

I love that your talking about stepping. It’s how you can learn faster and identify fighting styles and techniques.

[@jimboslice593]

Mike, you have perfect timing on the video! Just identified this exact problem in myself recently. Thanks for putting this out, excited to work on it!

[@WuzuquanSpain]

I couldn't agree more, Mike. I came across this video while I was editing my latest on transitioning between positions, so I've linked my video to this one. Keep up the great work!

[@bobbydabutcha]

Great advice! I think footwork drills and shadow boxings benefits far outweighs just hitting the heavy bag.

[@KaroJhe]

I'm a six months beginner and I had a sparring session last week where we did boxing and this was exactly the problem I was having, among others though. But yeah, couldn't get punches in and quite often losing my balance. This video helped with my understanding of it, even though I heard it all before.

[@danielc.5724]

Great video. I like going through your "older" videos, helps a lot.

[@blackdog7275]

Great content on footwork and balance. Easily the best I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@crossfitbilly]

Dude, your content is always entertaining and spot on. I really appreciate your videos. Thank you.

[@brianpdaniels]

Thanks Mike! I've been trying to teach my kid this for a week. This is a great explanation, with great examples.

[@francodanielbertucciamarel855]

i started in a new gym last month and i was getting problems doing exactly that, thanks for the lesson mike, can't wait to work on it and put it in practice

[@TheKevinj30]

You still going how you doing now?

[@Smokeyxz]

Mike, I found your channel about 3-4 videos in when you started. I watched live streams and listened while I was working all the time. You deliver with TRUE information and make me laugh all the damn time! Whenever I get the chance I’m going to stop by and say what’s up. Also how has COVID effected business? What do you different now, maybe a video idea for you even though I know you don’t need help. Anyway much love brother.

[@desmondfalakei7108]

Love your videos. I remember not worrying too much about getting hit by boxing gloves. I could keep that chin tucked, but found the switch to MMA gloves always a challenge. Lose defense and distance (boxing gloves are like mini-shield and give about an inch or two for distance). A great feeling was head movement where I felt the glove graze, but not hit. I had my cornea scratched by fabric that was hanging off the glove. Super painful. I sparred two more rounds, but we only did MMA sparring, where I was able to get my opponent to the ground and pretty much wrestle with my eyes closed. Miss those days.

[@2Bags1Dutch]

I love love love your videos... As a new karate instructor and old time wrestler your videos inspire me and add to my fire to do my best for the kids

[@robbbartel2874]

Great explanation. TOTALLY agree that movement is everything. Sparring a lot lighty helps teach you how to move.

[@doranlader1884]

I've been doing krav mega since my time in the military, and this is one of the best advice I've heard so far. I've heard this before but explained in a more comprehensive way.

[@johnwhite6346]

I started with boxing years ago and do krav maga now it is very useful clearly you never felt the pain they inflict

[@reidforth8956]

Mike, I just re-subscribed...I checked out for a while but it seems you are back to keeping it real. Good video!

[@marx4325]

Seriously good instruction delivered with real life observation. Non threatening or intimidating just real world actions and there consequences......i love it!

[@mcyoni93]

i have to say that i love you very much mate! watching you for a few days and i told myself "this bald man look wise" then i also saw a video of you losing a match and analaiziling your mistakes like a pro and not trying to hide stuff and shit you are really really my coach now , im not a fighter but im a hugh fan of mma specially the UFC i watch it a lot and i learn a lot from you , and i love the way you teach suff and present them i love the way you talk about techniqe and in the same way saying "of course fighters having worse techniqe in battles when they are swinging" and you teach some POV's that sometimes its hard to see or normally people avoid telling , very nice , love your content mate respect from small israel !

[@mayhem435]

Brother 😮 You helped me with 2 issues I have right now during sparring! Fantastic video, I'll try it tomorrow in my muay thai class ❤

[@robingibson9759]

i really appreciate your teaching style!! thanks for the helpful video!!

[@StevieSouthOfficial]

Thanks for your honesty & no bullshit way of teaching

[@mississippimoron9610]

I play linebacker in football and most of the footwork and stances are really similar im really trying to get into boxing or mma your videos help so much more than you know most of the mistakes you talk about I've made or still make

[@paleamigo8575]

Great advice and great drill to practice moving your feet with the punches. 👍

[@derekross6649]

Icy Mike is the real deal. Respect.

[@hypnoticskull6342]

I practice Taekeondo, and I’m gonna start MMA when I’m far enough. This will really help. Thanks Mike

[@anonymousbosch9265]

Skip a step, mma is more straightforward depending on what your goal is. We always had different types of traditional martial arts people come in and they thought you needed to bring some level of skill but you don’t. Mma welcomes all people and a black belt in traditional ma still will land you in the “beginner” class and you’ll wonder why you wasted the effort. That being said, there’s plenty of good reasons to just do what you’re doing if you like it and get a sense of value from it

[@hypnoticskull6342]

@@anonymousbosch9265 Dude, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that I want to get far enough in Taekeondo because I want to use it in sparring :Edit: Sorry man. I stopped reading your comment as soon as I got to the last sentence. I didn’t see it. Sorry

[@cristianestrada5381]

@@hypnoticskull6342 did you not read his last sentence?

[@nobodysfavourite6953]

@@hypnoticskull6342 you practice what?

[@hypnoticskull6342]

@@cristianestrada5381 I just did and I edited my comment to apologize to him

[@BLoveMOA]

You’re spot on about footwork and how amateurs don’t know how to shift their feet and only know how to throw “arm” punches.

[@danielordonez412]

Nice foot and hip work, an inch or two make all the difference, I like that. So true to keep the distance on your favor.

[@adij1291]

As a beginner, the concepts of keeping my feet outside my hips, and consciously moving my feet with my body (as i move down the hallway lol) really resonated with me. Super cool. Thanks :)

[@lookit87]

Excellent tutorial! You really know your craft and trade.

[@human4evermore]

Great explanation and demonstration as always.

[@marcellessharpe4016]

I just started sparring, this was well timed mike.

[@rexandreas4152]

Great explanation and tips, thanks for the video.

[@BILLYRENK]

Informative and entertaining! Thanks! Great drills!

[@Alex-kc7tp]

Pro tip for balance and control: DO FENCING. All the muscles in your legs will balloon and you will become incredibly precise and balance because precision and balance are literally the name of the game in fencing. It forces you to be completely cognisant of every little step and shift in movement and to plan out literally every single step to micromanage distance and lateral position on the strip. Very good cross training sport for any fighting sport, or football, soccer, basketball, pretty much any footwork-heavy sport.

[@derekmellino8316]

This is absolute gold Mike, thank you

[@Mbq-sh6bj]

This was an awesome video. Thanks, Mike.

[@Docinaplane]

Learning the Philly Shell can be helpful to allow you to fight at a closer distance.

[@3gnomesinacoat448]

Thanks icy mike! love you, happy valentines day.

[@TheCjcoon]

My coach is all about footwork! Doing ladder step drills helped me a lot!

[@jacobstewart2235]

I realized recently the reason my lead hook sucks was too much bag work. I actually busted my heavy bag and my double end bag (the one you recommended) arrived the same day. Started playing with the double end bag that day and pretty quickly worked most of the awkwardness out of my lead hook. It's a lot easier to do it right when you don't have a heavy bag stopping you from eating shit when you throw it.

[@jesseh22]

Good footwork 101 drill, thanks coach. Footwork is everything

[@FMAboy12]

Really great vid Icy Mike!

[@jodywabbit4093]

Your way of teaching is FUN!! Your just like my sensei 💯

[@spencerschutte6630]

Once again, excellent instruction!

[@basteagui]

i used to have this problem but instead of fixing my cowardice to get into punching range, i started baiting my opponent into getting close by faking that i was off balance. they come in thinking they got me and i step back with counterpunch. thats how i scored my first knockout. i have also done going in and trying to rattle them, but counterpunch works better because it's ONE BAM and they go down. they're not ready for it

[@froggyluv]

This is good stuff Mike -very useful

[@michidwyer4845]

All good stuff as always,I’ve been in martial arts 40. + years,and can pick up on bad teaching,bad techniques.Cant find one bad bit of instuction on your videos.👌🏻👏👏👏,from the U.K.

[@matoko123]

Excellent footwork!

[@johnwatts3432]

This is really good info. Thanks. You got any videos on shadow boxing for mma?

[@drewaksparky1013]

Just found this channel, oh yeah I’ll be coming back! Like your content 👍🏼

[@hard2hurt]

You got some catching up to do!

[@lusl1094]

Thank you for the vid, I have learned a lot from them. It would be great if you could teach us noobs some footwork drills to work on.

[@DalePatch]

The best thing for teaching footwork instincts for most sports and situations is inline skating. Particularly if you use a slalom skating wheel setup.

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

Tennis was useful. Fencing too

[@samuelkabakoff5217]

watching your footwork is like watching ballet. you make it look easy

[@jamescah9230]

Had no idea about the heavy bag causing that. Two thoughts, footwork is also the key to power in a punch, and footwork gets fun when you realize you just won because of it. Love your videos dude.

[@stanleylee5358]

Wish I had this over a year ago when I first started sparring. What I'm still working on is not over-slipping or over-ducking a punch.

[@hard2hurt]

head movement is small movement

[@edwardkirchmeier9348]

Great video! Another common beginner problem I’ve seen is dragging the rear foot forward rather than stepping. Have you seen that too?

[@hard2hurt]

Yep. Been guilty of it myself plenty of times too.

[@87_daris]

Aaaah i remember when i had this problem as a beginner, after a time i got more and more used to it

[@BlackishSayian]

I would say at very beginning levels, or very little experience you are right, but I think not understanding how to set up angles inside is just as big of a problem and more prevalent with fighters with a little more experience.

[@atthemotel]

Thanks H2H it really sucks not being able to get into a gym atm, having solid instructional videos as an alternative beats $230 zoom classes any day.

[@frankdonofrio6779]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@charliezelenowski2701]

When I realised what this video is describing about 8 years ago... I felt like I had left the Matrix. I was starting to believe. It definitely made me better at fighting when I focused on my feet/balance and winning position with my feet and the jab to then set up the bigger punches.

[@oldschoolmuzzey]

that’s a nice lesson coach 💪🏽👍🏽

[@fortniteViral711]

What a legend you are!

[@David-pn7qp]

I've found that if you work 3/4 basic shotokan blocks (high, low, inside) you'll get a good amount of punches in.

[@mateo52malecki]

Wow you broke the masvidal patented assault down without even trying or caring toward the end of runtime. Wanted/needed it and not just me, probably. Subscribed recently and catch up is real.

[@kiowhatta1]

This is the biggest issue for me and I've finally identified why. It's quite simple. It's a lot easier to throw punches than it is to move my feet, especially when throwing a combination that requires me to move inside and outside the pocket. I find my punches slow down if I incorporate the correct footwork, and that is partly because I'm 46, partly because I don't work on my footwork enough, and finally because I had various coaches when I was younger and I didn't stick around long enough. However, the fact still remains: my hands move quicker than my feet.

[@itsjosephhenry]

exactly what I needed to hear

[@ilyaaztiki]

soooo much value in this video, it's ridiculous!!

[@notsuchabadguy]

Hey Mike, bit of an odd question: I'm a taller, lankier dude and one of the things I've always struggled with is getting better at fighting aggressively. Most boxing coaches I've trained with have been very insistent that they don't want to see me "stand and bang", and given my partners are mostly shorter than me, I struggle to weave under punches. Are there any drills or techniques you recommend to beanpoles who want to get better at moving forward and landing power shots?

[@skwildcat1869]

Nice, can you make more of those Videos about Exercises that help with Boxing Fundamentals ?

[@robvidalbjj]

Great advise Mike.

[@wesleemiller]

Great video.

[@RonALampman]

Please watch Rabbit vs Anomaly (Streetbeefs Scrapyard) about getting inside. So many trashed Rabbit, but staying on the end if his punches was not an option. He threw long range punches and they were accurate. There was also a 3" height disparity and a 25lb weight disparity.