More high guard discussion.

[Kickzilla]

This past year I've gotten much better with distance control, my footwork and upper body movement to be specific, and in my chosen sport of Muay Thai no less, where those two things tend to get less prioritized in the ever present fear of kicks and knees. So I'm definitely happy about that as my game evolves, but I feel a particular desire to keep my blocking and high guard, solid and present.

So in that regard I've taken to heart the case studies of Marlon Starling and Winky Wright. I can't sustain a constant back and forth guard like Starling could it's just not in my tool-set but I've had great success with rolling my guard and shifting my weight between moments when I can see shots coming and the counter on my part, so adding it to my overall game has been an asset. My desire with my guard has been to have it be preventative and more protective when I do use it, and Wright's high guard made sense too.

But I find myself absorbing more punishment with his method, of note- he kept his hands specifically to the sides of his head, closed his forearms, brought the hands only slightly forward while maintaining that side head profile. My own guard has my hand placement at the edges of my forehead with the wrists curled out, forearms closed in, sometimes connected (a sort of flexible v-guard). I've found I take the heat off incoming shots this way but I feel like this should be the opposite, so I'm not sure what I am doing wrong with the Wright guard, but I definitely feel like it's something to do with my hand positioning. On paper to me it seems like I should be moving on to that sort of high guard as it would ultimately be "safer".

Would love some thoughts on what an optimal high guard should look like in that respect.

 

[j123]

As long as it protects your chin, temple, and doesn't impair your vision, any is good.

I usually employ the: palms facing each other around my temple, elbows tucking into my gut, while trying to keep the elbows close to each other.

 

[roventu]

whatever you're most comfortable with really. i have one hand (usually lead) that has the wrist rotated forward for parry/catches and its a little forward, and the other hand is always stuck to my temple. that's on the outside.

i dont really like both hands turtled up, its kind of passive for me. if i see someone already turtled up like that, I step back and blast them with a kick to body or forearms. then again, a lot of ppl use that guard to get in real close then unload bombs or enter into clinch.

a high guard imo is all about catching their punch on your glove and then returning with a counter. so the best guard is being able to see/read their punches, adjust your guard to eat it (or slip/parry it), then counter.
with both wrists curled out, you might find it easier to parry or secure a collar tie. also, you shouldnt be concerned about a "default" guard position. because your guard and wright's guard are just a slight adjustment away. being able to be shift your guard depending on a jab,cross,hook is more important. so lets say you're being blasted by hooks, hold your glove closer to the side of your head. if your opponent throws more straights, hold your glove closer to your forehead. there is no default guard unless you have a default type of opponent

 

[ARIZE]

Don't just train to see openings, but to feel them as well: Close quarters right hook to the body? Answer with a left elbow as soon as contact is made... You don't have to always see the openings, as soon as you feel a contact, you must be able to respond with the proper technique.
But it must be a fast response, and for that, you must spend a lot of time drilling those reactions. Specific contact, specific reaction. It only works if the reaction is instantaneous to the stimulus.
And of course later in the rounds when fatigue is a factor, and the defense is not as crisp as it should be the man with the better timed reaction has an advantage. So drill those reactions when you are fresh to get used to them, but also when you are dead tired.

Understand what bonus yours stance gives you. Elbows, fast entry into clinching etc... Don't just think the defensive aspect of your guard, but build your whole game around it (if that's the style you enjoy, if you see some success with it).

Understand the problems it gives you.
Understand what your opponent sees, be prepare of him taking advantage of the openings your style gives you, but also the faints he will use to your basic reactions. (High guard = High shin check = maybe an opening for a sweep to your supporting leg)

Find a partner that can mimic your style... Spare with him, taste it. Shadow box in front of a mirror. Find videos of people using that guard, but mostly videos of their losses.

Train the speed of your shin checks to body kicks, reaction time but also your endurance... can you protect your midsection with that style after 15 minutes? Or will your legs be to lazy to go high up?


Edit: After rereading it, i realize i don't really answer your question, sorry about that, and also i may give very basic pointers, not for your level, sorry about that too...