Catch and return: Boxing guide

Boxing · Counter punching · 9 minute lesson Pro

A catch is a soft parry. Instead of knocking the punch away, you take it into your glove and close your hand on it. The punch stops, the opponent's arm is out of play, and your other hand is free to hit them.

It is a close, compact defence that works when you are at the edge of range and the opponent leads with the jab or cross. It needs good timing and relaxed hands.

Key points

• Keep the catching hand relaxed and slightly open until contact.
• Meet the punch at the wrist or fist, close to your face, not at arm's length.
• Catch the jab with your rear hand, and return with your own jab or cross.
• Catch the cross with your lead hand and return with the cross.
• Do not reach out. Let the punch come to you.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Chasing the punch with the glove. Wait for it. A reaching catch opens your face.
• Tensing the hand and pushing the punch away. Stay soft. A catch absorbs, a parry deflects. They are different.
• Catching but not countering. The catch only gives you time. Return fire within the same beat.

Combinations that use it

• parry-2: Parry, Cross
• bx-catch-2: Catch, Cross
• bx-parry-2-3: Parry, Cross, Lead hook
• bx-catch-2-3: Catch, Cross, Lead hook
• mma-parry-cross-sprawl: Parry, Cross, Sprawl

Related techniques

• Cross
• Lead hook
• Sprawl

The rest is in the app

The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Counter punching module of Boxing fundamentals.

Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.

More from Counter punching

• Slip and counter: Boxing guide
• Pull counter: Boxing guide
• Reading the jab: Boxing guide
• Check hook against the rush: Boxing guide

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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.