How to fight a low hands opponent

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jonander50

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So today in sparring i fought a guy that has been with their hands down, and everytime i close range with my jab, he moves his head back so i cant reach, also he attacks me at same time, so i get hit.

Whats the strategy in this situation? Thanks.
 
Feints are your friend in these situations. Or bait him. If he's that predictable, I'm sure you can figure out a counter. What does he like to throw?

Also, are you boxing or muay thai or what? Cause if you fight with kicks, chop his legs. You can also teep him as he tries to throw his punch, which will force his arm downwards. When that happens, you can take your pick, but I like a high angle cross.
 
He's obviously trying to bait you to commit. His hand positioning will give him better head movement and footwork options.

You're playing right into his game. It sounds like you are jabbing your way in predictably and possibly over-committing yourself to making contact. Don't worry so much about contact as you close range - that's a good place to start. Get used to punching his gloves and the air in front of his face to make him think. Anytime you commit to touching him with something from range, you're giving him what he wants.

Close range responsibly behind probes, feints, and proactive defense. Inch your way in with no intention of making contact during the transition. Work from mid/short range; he'll probably feel pressured to turtle up, attack, or bail out of the position, none of which plays into his game of baiting you into offense.

When you're reading to initiate from closer range, lead with straight punches to the body and work from there
 
jonander50 said:
So today in sparring i fought a guy that has been with their hands down, and everytime i close range with my jab, he moves his head back so i cant reach, also he attacks me at same time, so i get hit.

Whats the strategy in this situation? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Guys like that are a pain in the ass, when you're trying to play a stand up game.

I used to encounter guys like that in Fencing. They hold their shit all over the place, (kinda like the Diaz Brothers do) Usually you have to be really patient with guys like that. They're game is as said to get you to commit against their nonsense. You have to be willing to spend the time it takes to catch them half-steppin, so you can land.
 
If its Muay Thai/K1 sparring, head kicks (set it up) will be good.

If its boxing, I have nothing to add. As the others have said, he's trying to provoke you so he can throw something big.
 
Feint high (just out of range) to get his head pulling back (flick your jab up at his forehead). Then close the distance fast, fire/slide in underneath (shoulders lower than his) and stick him with a stiff jab in the middle of his chest/collar bone (stand him up). Put a body on him and start ripping hard body shots, once he steps back or covers up, turn him (pivot or step laterally), rinse n repeat! Where you don't want to be is in that 50/50 range, that's what he wants. Be just out of range, get his head pulling back (feint high, jab gloves, etc) and then close the distance fast and attack him while he's resetting. If you stick that jab in his chest on your way in, it'll freeze him up, let you get underneath and hammer him in the body. Keep up the pressure as long as you can stay underneath him, once he get's back to that 50/50 position, turn (pivot) or step off and repeat or reset just out of his range (in-out).
 
Annoying, eh?

Feints! Someone said that, and I think it's great advice. Also, move your head when you punch your way in, even behind your feints (it will make them more believable anyway). Don't be afraid to double up on the jab. If you can get him to throw and you can time him when he flicks out his left to jab at you, throw a right to his spleen. Once you're inside, try to stay there, make him work to get you away. Feint low (body jab), then jab high. Just have your defense nice and tight, move your head and feint and jab your way in. When he throws - because I imagine he pulls back and tries to whack you with one or two good shots expecting that you'll get discouraged and back off - keep moving that head and pressure him. He can't fight up close with his hands down like that.

It's hard to implement, especially when they have more experience than you (if that's true in this case). Good luck! Hope this helps!

Edit: someone asked "what sport?" and I just assumed it was boxing.
 
Counter his counter by pretending to be predictable. One cheap trick is to jab/push their body back so they get off balance.
 
Kanka said:
Head kick
Click to expand...

IMO, an opponent who's intentionally carrying a low guard is baiting you into head hunting. I'd say body kick - punch high or body shot - head kick. Hit the easier target first (body) take away the mobility, then go up top.
 
ssullivan80 said:
IMO, an opponent who's intentionally carrying a low guard is baiting you into head hunting. I'd say body kick - punch high or body shot - head kick. Hit the easier target first (body) take away the mobility, then go up top.
Click to expand...
The idea is to get him to react to body kicks and then head kick when he is expecting a body kick.
 
Guys like that build their whole game around counterstriking and its easy to fuck with them
1: feints
2: double up a lot .....think weidman vs silva 1
3:back off....guys that rely on counters can struggle to go on the offensive and u can prob hurt him if hes sloppy going forward instead of chasing him around and letting him play his roy jones wannabe act
 
Another thing worth noting is the angle of HIS strikes. Many guys who drop their hands will throw straight from the hips under your defense or before you can retract your own punches. Everyone here has done a great job covering the offensive side of things. I like to force this type of opponent to lead and shut them down when they do so. You can parry downward and come over top of his punches, much like the way he tries to go underneath yours.
 
if his hands are lower, he can move his head faster. try it yourself

dont headhunt, bc that is the most elusive target for this type of fighter. you have to move in fast and double up like others have said

hitting their leg so they stand still then going in is what i like to do
 
Feint a jab and throw the right hand when he comes in to attack
 
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