Close-range combat is a special skill in which evencreativity ... What does this include, and how do you master melee techniques?

First of all, it is the art ... not to allow close combat. Boxers, who have mastered the conduct of combat at a long distance, strive with all their might to prevent rapprochement with the enemy, and besiege him at distant approaches, which is akin even to military or diplomatic skill.

But sometimes it fails. And then you have to get closer. The fighter delivers a series of blows, rapidly moving forward. The one who is attacked escapes from direct attacks with dips, and from lateral dives ... There are other ways, but in general, entering into close combat is the aspiration of both one boxer or his opponent, and both of them, but it can happen independently - simply due to the development of the situation in the ring.

In cramped conditions ...

Approaching, the fighters are actively trying to various techniques bind the opponent and at the same time force him to open up for strikes and attacking actions.

Therefore, hands are important. More precisely, their position. And not only hands, but the body and head. And not only his own, but also the enemy. All this can be both beneficial and vice versa.

In close combat, it is urgently necessary to seize the initiative and suppress the opponent, forcing him not to attack, but to defend himself, disarming him as much as possible. And therefore, it is necessary to use both hands, alternately hitting the head and the body, not giving the opponent an opportunity to defend.

As a rule, in the melee position, the fighters occupy such a distance that they can freely act with both hands. At the same time, you can also freely defend with slopes, dives, stands and punch counter-attacking strikes. It is important to note that the advantage (often victorious) belongs to the one who acts faster and hits harder, as well as is more technical in terms of defense.

Some features

Some features in close-range combat have a stance - the body bends at the lower back, the head is lowered, the arms are raised to the head, the legs are slightly bent and can be on one straight line. One leg can be extended slightly forward. Accordingly, body weight is practically distributed on both legs. In general, close range is characterized by the fact that it is front stand so that it is convenient to hit from the sides. Short and sturdy boxers tend to strive for close range, because this is strength work.

In close-range combat, boxers use short strides when moving. At the same time, they attack, and retreat back and to the sides. All this in order for the opponent to get out of balance.

And a boxer, having conceived a blow or a whole combination of them, can change the distance to an average one by taking a step back. And from this position to strike.

You can also apply steps to the side. Go behind the opponent's back. This can disorient him, making it impossible for him to maneuver.

Study properly

Training can begin by moving around the ring in short and quick steps forward, backward, to the sides and in a circle. At the same time, you should maintain a position for combat at this distance.

It is appropriate to start learning how to enter close combat with the simplest thing: to learn the offensive movement at the time of the enemy's attack.

Using techniques of protection from the enemy's blows, without stepping back, meet him with blows. Another option: dodging to the side, get close and take advantageous position... Then you need to go for a rapprochement during an active attack of attacks, trying to maintain a close distance. Then try to out of close combat by retreating backward, blocking the opponent's actions and hitting backward and to the sides.

Combine the application of single blows with steps in different directions with the same and opposite transfer of body weight to one of the legs. You need to know that when applying several blows, body weight can be located on two or one leg. A series of blows should be made in different directions. That is, from below, from the side to the head and along the body.

It is better to master the technique of strikes, moving the body weight from foot to foot, the correct striking, alternating strikes to the head and torso on shells. For this, it is optimal to use fixed and movable bags, stuffed pears and paws.

Close combat is work with both left and right hands, and in a full-fledged format. These skills can only be trained with a partner. Having taken a close combat position, learn hand movements.

Here are gloves-free exercises that you can practice in pairs. They are not intended entirely for beginners, but after mastering the basics of distant and middle distance... It should be noted here that the closest distance is the most difficult, and many coaches put it off until later, when the work on the middle and long distance is fixed. However, close range requires a lot of time, it is difficult, because due to distance and strikes are made twice as fast as you can react to them.

So, working out dives and quickdraws.

We stand frontally. Partner applies side impacts, while imitating a "snowblower", that is, as if rowing with his hands. His opponent does one dive, then a second, then a draw. When he pulls, the partner tries to reach the jaw. While scrolling, the chin should be pressed and covered by the shoulder and arms. That is, the hand and chin are all the time at the shoulder. Legs work in step mode and spring.

A common mistake in diving is that athletes (especially beginners) believe that they need to go too far to the side. This is not true. There should be a little mixing using both legs. That is, you just need to sit down and "change shoulders."

Close range combat is often a dirty gamble.

Usually it looks like this - two guys are pushing each other, and there is always a feeling that you are either defending yourself a lot (covering up), or working very carelessly (exchanging punches). You need a space to strike and a strategy to deliver those hits.

With a little bit of technique and knowledge, you can control position and action at close range. You can decide WHERE to place your body, choose the ANGLES of attack.

Learn how to create space and prepare your kicks for short distance.

How to Create Space for Short Range Strikes

1. The location of the feet

The first thing to do is make sure your feet allow your body to create space for your kicks. For example: if you and your opponent are standing directly opposite each other, where your feet are literally NEXT to each other, you will see that the body (hips and torso) has no room to move or to create space for your arms.

One way to create space with your feet is to simply step with one foot to the side. If you want to create room for right kicks, step back or sweep your right foot away from your opponent. The more space you have between your right foot and your opponent, the more space you have to create room for your right kicks. Conversely, you will need to place your left foot further away from your opponent if you want to create space for your backhand kicks.

There are many ways to move your feet to a new position. The most commonly used is to walk or swing one foot away from the opponent. But there are other ways as well. Some guys jump and change stances (right-handed to left-handed and vice versa) because it gives you more space when changing stances in close range. And other guys can even walk FOR the opponent (and not away from him). It can also place your head and body in a safer position (to the side of your opponent) while still giving you more angles to hit.

Popular melee foot placement techniques:

• Pivot on your left foot, throw a left hook or left uppercut.
• Pivot on your right foot, throw a right hook or right uppercut.
• Turn around or jump on his front foot so that you are on the side, then punch hooks.

Shift one foot to create space for your kicks.

2. The location of the torso

Another way to create space in close-range combat is through hull positioning. You may have noticed that the bodies of the fighters tend to lean towards each other and fight for space close up. Both of you are trying to maintain balance and create space for your punches. At times like this, you have the option of either shifting your body to create space for your punches, or shifting HIS body to create space for your punches, or a combination of both.

If you are stronger, you can move his body back. You can push his body off axis by keeping your stronger body centered (using superior balance), or you can use your hands and forearms to push him away, or you can punch punches to see if he is off axis when tries to evade them. And when he is off-axis, you can continue to hit and apply even more pressure, because once he is unbalanced and off-axis, there is no way he can take that center again, unless he takes a step back and will return his rack.

At the same time, if you are weaker, or if you prefer to be more agile and use corners, you can tilt your body from the center (ONLY ONE LITTLE) and use that space to deliver your punches. Slight bends from time to time will provide you with the space you need to poke painful hooks and uppercuts up close.

Popular melee hull placement counters:

• If you are heavier, go at your opponent to make him tilt and lose balance, then hit him.
• If you hit harder, throw a lot of punches to knock him out of balance, then hit even more when he gets more vulnerable.
• Push it back or down with your front wrist, throw crosses or uppercuts.
• Tilt your torso back or to the side to stick in hooks and uppercuts.

Shift your body or shift your opponent's body,
to create room for strikes.

Melee Strategies for Delivering Strikes

Close-range work is when fighters shift to their natural instincts rather than their trained reflexes. This means that you can outsmart your opponent by approaching him with unusual hit sequences.

Mix Body Shots with Headshots

Yes, the classic strategy of striking different floors. I know this is the oldest trick in the tutorial, and yes, it definitely works in close combat. Try throwing a couple of punches to the body (to lower his elbows) and then throw a powerful hook to the body. Or do the opposite, throw a few quick light punches to the head and then throw a powerful hook to the body.

Try to punch body-body-body-HEAD
or head-head-head-BODY!

Move your head from side to side

You may have noticed that fighters often place their heads next to each other's shoulders when fighting at close range. The reason they do this is because it naturally brings the body closer. What is not often seen is how two fighters work closely, keeping their heads and feet directly opposite each other. This is especially true when both fighters are constantly off-center to gain corner advantage over their opponent.

One way to take advantage of this scenario is to punch punches while keeping your head on one of your opponent's shoulders and then quickly move it to his other shoulder. This will make him feel like you've evaporated from one side of the case and moved on to the other. This sudden change in head position will open up new angles for you to hit, and increase the likelihood that your opponent will not be ready to defend against them.

Popular Melee Head Placement Tips:

• Place your head on his right shoulder, punch fast lungs punches to distract him, then move your head to his left shoulder and stick a left hook into his body.
• Place your head on either of his shoulders, and then change the position of your head, and quickly throw an uppercut right into the center of his head, or a hook on the side of the body where you have moved.
• You can also hit the side of his head that you opened. For example: place your head on the left side of his head, and then when you move your head away from there, you punch down the left side of his head that was just revealed.

Throw punches while you move your head
from one side of the opponent's head to the other.

Distract with One Handed Strikes, then Strike with the Second Handed

Once again, this is another template change tactic. At close range, throw a lot of distracting punches with one hand, and then quickly throw a hard blow with the SECOND hand.

Popular Melee Hand Swapping Tips:

• Throw a few right jabs to his head or body, and then quickly throw a powerful left hook to the head or body.
• Throw a few backhand punches to his head or body, and then quickly punch a right uppercut right down the center of his chin.

Distract your opponent with one-handed strikes
and then strike with the other hand.

Punch Bundles or Vowel Combinations

There will be times when you will be very close to your opponent, or you will be very uncomfortable standing, that you will not be able to land hard punches. Maybe both of you are so tired that neither of you has the energy to take a step. Or maybe you try to stand close and high, and slow down the fight to take a break. Or, maybe, you are squeezed by the ropes, and you cannot move anywhere, but he is leaning on you.

Whatever it is, you can still strike. At times like this, I love to punch. These light strikes may not be powerful and don't do any real damage, but they look great, they gain points, they show aggression, and can even create open spaces for tougher strikes.

Popular Melee Bundle Chips:

• Get close to your opponent so that all of his hard punches are blocked, then throw a series of light punches to his head and body to piss him off.
• Weave on your opponent to pin him to the ropes or into a corner, and punch through the ligaments to keep him there. There is a high probability that the referee will not separate you if you actively beat him.
• Punch your ligaments through his block every time he closes or works very passively at close range. Be sure to be on your guard in case he crawls out from behind his block with counters.

If you have no room for powerful blows
try to punch faster light punches.

This is actually just a teaser article for my upcoming series on close range combat. I know that many of you have asked me to write on this topic over the years, and I am proud to say that I have made significant progress on this. I will go very deeply into many various techniques, tactics and strategies required for close range combat. If you have any special questions or suggestions on the topic of close-range combat, please write them in the comments!

Close combat is a significant area of ​​boxing technique. Often the quality of the melee skills determines the result of the duel. But to master the technical side of close combat requires serious and lengthy preparation, including physical.

Melee tactics

In practice, there are three tasks of close combat:

· The use of a variety of techniques, a large assortment of attacking, defensive and counterattacking techniques;

· Self-defense, quick exit from close interaction with an opponent;

· Exhausting the opponent and reducing his protective effectiveness.

Typically, boxing professionals employ two types of close-up tactics: punching powerful singles innings, or a combination of singles and streak.

Technical and tactical principles

Close combat is the most dynamic type of combat, which includes a number of techniques that form the spectrum of combat means, such as strikes bent arm, protection from similar blows of the opponent, methods of starting and ending a skirmish.

Body position

The result of close interaction with an opponent largely depends on the position of your body. So, stable position allows you to quickly implement an attack, defense, counterattack and long-distance departure, use all the variety of tactical actions. This position is characterized by a stable setting of the feet and slightly bent legs, due to which the center of mass is reduced and stability is provided when interacting with an opponent.

Taking a shaky posture entails a loss of balance, dispersal of attention, an increase in the time of reaction, attack, counter-actions and withdrawal to a distant position.

Effect of muscle tension

Having grouped together and eliminating muscular tension, the athlete gains an advantage in a close encounter, since he will not need to spend extra energy on effective attacks, counters, defense, etc.

At the same time, open posture and excessive muscle tension lead to negative consequences in a collision at short distances, since the effectiveness of a boxer's actions decreases due to rapid fatigue, a decrease in resistance, and a weakening of will.

If every movement of a boxer is rationalized, he will be able to realize decision v shortest time and with a minimum of physical effort. This saves energy and leads to the achievement of the set goal.

Accuracy and speed of movement

The basic quality of an athlete entering short distances is exceptional accuracy and sharpness of movements, thanks to which he gets the opportunity to take the initiative and punch an effective attack.

When approaching the enemy, alternate muscle relaxation and tension. In this case, only those muscle groups should be used that are important for the implementation of the chosen tactical technique. Shortening the period muscle tension, the boxer saves his strength and increases productivity, as a result of which he gets the opportunity to work as energetically as possible. For example, when punching a blow, it is recommended to clench your fist at the moment you reach the goal, and then immediately open your palm.

The ability to coordinate your movements also plays an important role. The athlete must take a steady initial position allowing you to use the muscle groups you need at the moment.

Taking over the initiative

The successful completion of the fight in general and the close quarters in particular is due to the athlete's ability to seize the initiative. Before entering a short distance, you need to prepare to seize the initiative in order to force the opponent to defend himself, to subordinate his actions to his plan.

To do this, you need to force your opponent to take a position that allows you to perform the intended technique. For this, a special technique is used, forcing the opponent to take an unstable position. So, before striking a blow with the left from below and the next accurate lateral right to the head, a diverting blow (or several) with the right to the opponent's head is performed, forcing him to defend himself by leaving to the right. At this point, you can effectively implement the planned left kick.

Endurance training

Short range combat requires excellent strength training and endurance, because it comes about the continuous exhausting of the opponent. To train these qualities, it is recommended to use weights when practicing strikes and combinations, as well as in shadow boxing, and the emphasis is not on excess weight, but on the number of repetitions. The main thing is to steadily increase the speed. Jumps and squats with a small weight load are excellent for training the leg muscles, and the weight is selected in such a way that you can perform 15-30 squats in each of 3-4 approaches. These and some other exercises recommended by the trainer will help develop strength endurance, which is extremely important for close combat.

Infighting work (hitting and defending) is largely instinctive. The same can be said about the moment of entering infighting, since all movements in the box are made with almost lightning speed. Missing the moment of entering melee sometimes means losing the fight. Therefore, in training you need Special attention to devote to the development of the ability to evade a blow from a long distance, transferring the battle to infighting.

Choosing the right moment to enter the infighting must be carried out extremely quickly, as a result of careful observation of every move of the enemy.

Some enemy positions are especially convenient for getting into close combat. Such moments include the deflection of the enemy back as a result of the blow that has reached, when he instinctively closes his jaw.

A boxer who continually retreats back is also a beneficial target for an infighter, as it is extremely easy to pin him to the ropes or into a corner and thus force him to accept close combat. A boxer, leaning his back on the ropes, is in an extremely disadvantageous and dangerous position, since he is deprived of the opportunity to take a normal position for infighting, which opens up a number of places vulnerable to strikes.

The most difficult opponent for an infighter is a fast opponent with good footwork. In this case, the infighter must carefully observe every movement of the opponent and not rush at him if the infiter is not too confident in the result of his throw, since the opponent's quick lateral step will put the attacker in a difficult position.

Infighting work is most effective when movement is made impossible. Therefore, you need to look for close combat with a fast moving boxer only at the moment of his transition to a clinch. At this moment, it is necessary to apply to him maximum amount blows, weakening it and immobilizing it.

The most advantageous moment of transition to infighting is the moment of the enemy attack.

Let's consider several of these provisions.

Attack - straight left to the face.

a) Right leg moves slightly to the right, and at the same time, with his right hand, the left arm of the attacking opponent is beaten inward above the elbow, which throws the opponent out of balance and deprives him of the opportunity to use his right hand to strike (Fig. 51). In this position, his body opens for a short blow with his left hand in the area of ​​the liver, ribs and heart. This combination requires careful study in training, since only in this case can the necessary confidence in hitting the opponent's arm above the elbow be achieved, which is essential for the success of the counter-blow.

b) Instead of hitting the left hand with an infiter, a side step is made to the right and a hook is applied with the left hand to the heart area, and then an uppercut under the ribs (Fig. 52). In this position, the attacker has the only opportunity to try to clinch and, therefore, accept the melee imposed on him. In the event of an attempt by the enemy to move back, it is necessary to quickly attack him and press him to the ropes.

In this whole combination, the only dangerous moment is the lateral step away from the straight to the left. When this is done successfully, everything else is given without any risk.

Attack - straight left to the face. The answer is step left, blocking right hand and a short straight line to the region of the heart. With a direct blow to the face with the left, it is sometimes very advantageous to take a step to the left and forward with a slight incline of the body in the same direction and, thus, avoiding the blow, to be at close combat distance (Fig. 53).

Since in this position the infighter puts himself under the blow of the opponent's right hand, it is necessary, simultaneously with a step forward, to put the open palm of his left hand on the biceps of the opponent's right hand and thereby deprive her of the possibility of action. Having approached the enemy in this way, the attacker quickly inflicts a short straight line to the heart area.

Attack - swing right in the face. The answer is a dive, a right uppercut to the face and a short left uppercut to the solar plexus. This combination (fig. 54) is one of the most interesting in the transition to close combat. However, it must be thoroughly studied before using it in battle. It takes a lot of training in attention and reaction speed in order to immediately take into account the possible retaliatory strike of the enemy.

This is accomplished by much attention to all moments of the battle during training. It is also required to learn the dive so well that it becomes completely automatic. An unsuccessful right swing usually throws the attacker off balance, making it extremely difficult for him to use his left hand in order to prevent a right uppercut to the face, which may be immediately followed by a straight left to the abdomen. Going into a clinch is the only way out for an attacking boxer.

It is quite clear that a successful transition to infighting here depends entirely on a well-timed and well-executed swing dive. In contrast to similar protection in long-range combat, the dive should always be combined with forward movement, and you need to be ready for a right uppercut to the face or left to the body from the opponent's side.

Revealing the opponent's position by beating the arms out. This movement (fig. 55) requires a great deal of speed, as otherwise the performer may receive a hook in the jaw.

It can be very difficult for an infiter dealing with a fighter who works from long distance and maintains a position well, it can be very difficult to get close to the enemy and force him to accept close combat. A boxer with good footwork, even coming close to the infiter and maintaining a defensive position, will have time to strike and go back before the infiter can stop this blow. Therefore, the infighter, having caught the moment when the enemy comes to the closest possible distance, must make an unexpected quick step forward, enter the "inside the position" of the opponent, beating, as shown in the figure, his arms outward. If this operation is carried out unexpectedly and rather abruptly, then the indicated movement will upset the opponent's balance and open up the opportunity for a right uppercut to the jaw.

Revealing the opponent's position by beating hands to the sides is in a good way entry into infighting.

However, the case for carrying out this maneuver seems to be very rare and, before using it, it is necessary to carefully study your opponent and weigh the possibility of implementing this technique, since it is fraught with great risk.

Pressing on the ropes. As already indicated, the most advantageous position for the infighter is created in those cases when he manages to press the enemy to the ropes and, thus depriving him of the opportunity to move, forcing him to take close combat.

This task, which is very difficult for the infighter, when he is dealing with a fast-moving enemy, can be performed as follows: after having carried out a successful strike and thereby unbalancing the opponent, the infighter duplicates the blow and quickly rushes forward, which forces the opponent to deflect back and transfer all his weight on his right hind leg, which makes it impossible for him to quickly retreat back. An infighter should not stop moving forward until the opponent is pressed against the ropes.

In this position, many boxers lean their backs against the ropes and lean back a little, which completely opens their stomach for powerful blows from the infighter.

As with all combinations in boxing, the infighter must find the right moment to throw himself at his opponent. If this moment does not seem to be itself, the infiter must use all of his technique to create it.

Attack - straight from the right to the face. The answer is blocking the left arm and a direct punch to the stomach. If the opponent attacks straight from the right to the face, the infighter takes a small step to the right, tilting his head in the same direction. Thanks to this movement, the attacking opponent's blow passes over the infighter's shoulder. Due to the inertia from the blow, the attacking boxer loses his balance, and the infighter is thus in the position of a close fight.

Forced, thus, to accept a close fight, the attacking boxer will try to strike a short hook with his left hand in the jaw of the infighter, since his right hand is disabled for a few moments. Therefore, the task of the infighter is to block this blow with his right hand, while simultaneously drawing a short straight straight with his left into the stomach.

As a result of this blow, the attacking boxer will be forced to use his right hand to protect the body, which will enable the infiter to hit the jaw with his left and force the attacking boxer to take a close fight for some time.