Which is your philosophy?

[Blue Wave Gym]

To put Kudo's words into simple, modern english, there's no such thing as pure defense. At least, not if you plan to win. All defense, and I do mean that - ALL defense - should be a part of the offense itself. A defense is nothing more than a setup for the offense to follow. A slip makes the other man miss, but you use it so that he'll be off balance and out of position when you counter. A parry knocks a jab away, but the point is to open the line for your own follow-up.

If you're defending just to avoid the hit, you're playing only half the game.

Once again mike knocks it out of the park it's like we have a vulcan mind meld or something your write the exact same things I think as pertains to fighting. defense without couters, a jab at least, is just a waste of energy.

[TheTerror]

Cry in the dojo, Laugh on the battlefield---Some Samurai Guy

To conquer a fear you must first accept that it is inevitable to overcome---Yours Truly

[kanik]

best defence is a good offence... Thats what my dad tought me when i was like 3-4 years old, and i still stand by it, i have allways had that knowledge, but even then i have allways been a defensive fighter, and anytime i trry to fight anyone even slightly offensive they kick the crap outa me, ever since i've been putting my mind more on attack then defend, and ever since i stopped caring whether i take a hit or not, is when i have actually started fighting much better.

[DickHardman]

defense and offense become one when you fight using counterattacks.

[SamuraiGuy]

Cry in the dojo, Laugh on the battlefield---Some Samurai Guy

Dont remember saying that.....

[Tom Yum]

Dont remember saying that.....

You talk in your sleep.

[MilkAndInnards]

"Defense is only necessary so you can continue to be offensive"

But personally I'm a counter boxer

[slayer31]

if we are talking bare knuckle street... definitely your offense is your best defense. ive seen people try and cover up in the streets and its just so much easier to slip punches past their guard. also depends on who you are fighting... inexperienced guys come with those wild haymakers or telegraphed straight which are both very easy to elude.

[fozzy40]

I agree with Mike Brewer. It's almost a philosophical question: what is YOUR definition of defense? Is it just blocking? Does parrying or slipping count as defense if your intention is to gain an offensive position? If so, at what point during a parry does it become offensive? Is it when you extend your are or your leg with the intention of striking? What about when you jab at an opponent for timing your strike vs. jabbing to disrupt their timing?

haha...we can go all day with this! Good thread though...

[fozzy40]

Oh yeah, I voted for the best defense is a good offense

[MRLFTHOOK2U]

Take it from the person who more than likely has the most boxing experience on this forum...ME

2 bums off the street can throw punches at each other, what makes a fighter special is his ability to slip punches and work angles.....I dont even bother showing ne thing more than the jab and head movement/parrying/footwork for a fighters first 3 weeks in the gym...Without head movement and stepping the angle u have a normal run of the mill fighter

[DickHardman]

as boxing is a sport in which the object is to win, which cannot be accomplished without scoring a strong offense would be the most important. The first shot could land and be a knock out,

You probably aren't going to get a knockout from your defense.

if you know how to counter attack well, its possible.

[g-bells]

atttack-both offensively and defensively

[Tant01]

The old saying “The best defense is a good offence” is often twisted and debated but it holds true for fighters and foot ball alike.

[Piston]

I prefer to be on the offensive as much as I can, if it means pummeling away till the slightest gap opens then fine by me.

That said I did recently have my ass handed to me by a much taller defensive fighter. I was tired and frustrated, guy must have read me like a centrefold.