How to Prevent a Knockout

The best way to prevent getting knocked out is to avoid getting hit. That is easier said than done. Knockouts are caused by a compression of the brain when it receives a heavy blow. Boxers and MMA fighters train to absorb blows and avoid getting knocked out. In a fight however, it is unavoidable that you will get hit. How often and hard you get hit depends on the type of match and how good the opponent is. Good training is the best preparation for avoiding a knockout.

Instructions

  1. Strengthen your neck

    • 1

      Train with neck resistance machines in a gym. Insert your head between the pads of the machine and press your head side-to-side and front to back. The amount of resistance can be adjusted as your neck grows stronger.

    • 2

      Lay with your back on the floor and your knees in the air. Place a towel underneath your head. Raise your hips and rock back onto your head. Repeat this 10 times for three sets. You can also do the exercise by lying with your stomach facing the floor and rocking onto your head.

    • 3

      Turn upside down against a wall with your feet in the air. Rest your head on the ground. Hold the position.

    • 4

      Place two chairs apart facing each other. Sit backwards in one of the chairs. Lay back until only your head rests on the seat of the other chair. Push the chair underneath you forward so that your legs extend all the way and only your feet rest on it. The weight should be on your neck and not on your shoulders. In martial arts this type of training is referred to as "iron board."

    • 5

      Practice sparring with headgear on. You have to train your head to be able to take hard shots. Some fighters are more susceptible to hard blows than others, but by being prepared your body won't go into shock when it is hit.

    Fight defensively

    • 6

      Fight with your chin down. Getting hit on the chin is one of the quickest ways to get knocked out. When the neck twists backward, or sideways, due to a heavy blow, the brain is literally shaken inside the cranial cavity. By keeping your chin down, you lessen the chance of it getting hit.

    • 7

      Block and parry punches. By keeping your arms up while you fight you can block the punches. You will still get hit but not with the full force on your head. You can parry the blows by essentially slapping the blows down as they come in.

    • 8

      Evade punches by bobbing, weaving and slipping. This is the classic boxer's movement. Bob underneath the punches then weave right or left to avoid getting hit. You can also slip punches by moving your head just out of range of an incoming blow.