BoxRec

I'm hoping to start sparring again soonish, and before I do, would like an important question answered..

Where the hell do you hold your hands with a headguard on?

The problem I'm having is that the guard basically makes your head a lot bigger, and means I can't put my hands in the usual place for defence (ie, against my cheeks/temples) without leaving a bloody great gap up the middle to be punched at will.

What do amateur boxers do with their hands for defence then? Move them from the front to the sides every time they get close?

dookus wrote:I'm hoping to start sparring again soonish, and before I do, would like an important question answered..

Where the hell do you hold your hands with a headguard on?

The problem I'm having is that the guard basically makes your head a lot bigger, and means I can't put my hands in the usual place for defence (ie, against my cheeks/temples) without leaving a bloody great gap up the middle to be punched at will.

What do amateur boxers do with their hands for defence then? Move them from the front to the sides every time they get close?

They Normally Turn Pro Mate

Think this is a common complaint that the headguards make the head a larger target.
I'm sure with enough sparring you will find a technique that suits you.

It's not so bad with the smaller gloves you'll wear when you box; the 16oz sparring gloves accentuate the problem, they are like loafs of bread. If you've a bag at home or someone who'll take you on the pads then wear the bag gloves, (10oz if you can get them) and the headguard; it won't be perfect but will give you more of an idea. You don't really want your hands up around your temples though (imo); you'll get proper rattled round the ribs. Best of luck with it, hope you enjoy it all.

Keep sparring mate then try diffrent styles to suit you all about learning as an amature I liked to have a tight gaurd then sum fights I dropped my hands.

How big is your headguard?!! :geek2: You'll be ok, keep your hands up, box as normal. When I used to spar I never thought, 'oh my God my head is massive swith this headguard on!'. Sounds like you're worrying too much about getting hit. Man up and get on with it, you wimp!!

plymouthskinhead wrote:How big is your headguard?!! :geek2: You'll be ok, keep your hands up, box as normal. When I used to spar I never thought, 'oh my God my head is massive swith this headguard on!'. Sounds like you're worrying too much about getting hit. Man up and get on with it, you wimp!!

Hahaha! When I was in Korea, my coach was somewhat cavalier with us sparring - we'd often go in without headguards on - hence I'm unused to them, as I'm used to jamming my right hand right against my cheek/jaw., which you obviously can't do in the same way with a headguard on.