Weaving Techniques in Boxing

Defense is an important part of boxing, but being able to turn your defense into an offensive stance gives you an advantage in the ring. The weave is a technique that boxers use after the defensive bob maneuver to get in position to deliver an offensive strike. The bob is a simple duck maneuver, performed by bending at your knees as your opponent begins his punch. Your goal is to lower yourself below his punch, allowing you to weave around his punch.

  1. Inside Weave

    • You can perform an inside weave, or inside roll as it is often called, by rising from a bob position toward the interior of your opponent, which is the side where the opponent's midsection and face are located. To perform this technique, you push up with your front foot, from the bob position, and back with your back foot. Weave your body in an arc from right to left, coming up in the boxing position with your opponent's midsection and face open for your strike.

    Outside Weave

    • You can perform an outside weave, or outside roll, by maneuvering toward the outside of your opponent's punch, which is the side opposite your opponent's midsection and face. Push upward with your back foot, using your front foot to stabilize you, and swing your body in a left to right motion, coming up in a boxing position with your opponent's head and side open for your strike.

    Inside Advantages and Disadvantages

    • The advantage of the inside weave is that the maneuver leaves your opponent's face and midsection open for your strike, both critical areas. Your opponent's midsection is a key area for tiring your opponent, and the face is a key area for disorienting your opponent. Unfortunately, the inside position allows your opponent to use his off hand for defense against your strike. If your attack is quick, or you catch your opponent off guard, you can deliver a strong strike from an inside roll position.

    Outside Advantages and Disadvantages

    • The advantage of the outside weave is that the maneuver leaves your opponent's head and side open for your strike, without an available defense. Your opponent's strike leaves him unable to defend with the hand he used to throw the punch, and his other hand is across his body, unable to react to your outside punch. Unfortunately, the head and side are not critical areas and require numerous strikes to disorient or weaken your opponent.