Become Fighter
Cutting off the ring: Boxing guide
Corner a runner without chasing, using angles and short steps.
Chasing someone round a ring wastes energy and gets you countered. Cutting off the ring means you take the space away. You walk them to where you want them, and they find the ropes arrive before they do.
The idea is to step to the side they are heading towards and be there first. If they go left, you step left. You keep the centre of the ring and your opponent does the running.
Key points
- Take the centre. Whoever holds it forces the other to travel the long way round.
- Step to the side they are moving, not directly behind them.
- Keep your feet apart and balanced. Chasing with narrow feet makes you easy to hit.
- Use the jab as a probe as you advance. It checks their reply and slows their retreat.
- When they hit the ropes, set your feet before you throw. Do not rush in with wild punches.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Running after them in a straight line. Step to where they are going, not where they are. Cut the corner.
- Leaving the centre after a flurry. Come back to the middle. The ring is easier to control from there.
- Throwing wild punches when they get cornered. Stay patient. Set your feet, throw clean combinations, and watch the counter.
Combinations that use it
- in-1-2: Step in, Jab, Cross
- mt-teep-in: Teep, Step in
- mt-in-knee: Step in, Straight knee
- mt-in-elbow: Step in, Lead elbow
- mt-1-in-elbow: Jab, Step in, Lead elbow
- mt-in-rear-elbow: Step in, Rear elbow
Related techniques
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 Ring craft module of Boxing fundamentals.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Ring craft
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.