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How to Slip Punches in Boxing: Inside Slip vs Outside Slip
- Simmy
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Slipping is moving your head off the centerline so a punch travels past it without touching you. It is one of the cleanest defensive skills in boxing because when you slip correctly, you do not just avoid the punch. You end up in position to throw one back.
What Slipping Is
A slip is a small lateral movement of the head and upper body, driven by a slight bend of the knees and rotation of the torso. You are not leaning back or jumping sideways. You are moving just enough to let the punch miss, then immediately returning to fighting position.
There are two directions: inside and outside. Which one you use depends on the punch coming at you and where you want to be afterward.
The Outside Slip
Against a jab, you slip to the outside of their lead hand, moving your head to the right (as an orthodox fighter). The punch passes over your left shoulder. You are now to the side of your opponent with their lead hand behind you and their body open.
The outside slip is generally the safer option against a jab because you move away from the cross. If your timing is slightly off and you are still in front of them, the rear hand is a longer distance to travel to reach you.
Drive the slip from your legs, not your neck.
Keep your rear hand up to protect your jaw during the movement.
Counter immediately: jab to the body, left hook to the head, or both.
The Inside Slip
Against a jab, you slip to the inside, moving your head to the left. The punch passes over your right shoulder. You are now inside the lead hand, closer to the center of your opponent's body.
The inside slip is riskier because you move toward the cross. If the jab is a setup for a right hand, you have moved into it. This is why the inside slip is typically used when you already know you are going to be aggressive, you want to get close, or you are reading the opponent's pattern.
Cover with your rear hand as you slip inside.
Counter with a right hook to the body, right uppercut, or left hook.
Be ready to smother if they throw the cross.
Slipping the Cross
To slip a cross (rear hand), you move your head outside their lead hand side, to the left. This takes you away from the power shot and positions you to the outside of their lead shoulder with an open right hand counter available.
Slipping the cross is one of the highest percentage counters in boxing. The opponent commits their weight forward on the cross and your counter right hand meets them as they come in.
Common Mistakes
Slipping too wide: Big dramatic slips look good in the gym but leave you out of position and slow your return.
Not resetting: Slipping and staying bent over or to the side. After the slip you should be back in stance quickly.
Slipping from the waist only: The movement should involve a slight knee bend and hip rotation. Pure upper body tilting is less stable.
How to Train the Slip
A slip rope is the best tool. A rope at chin height stretched between two points. Walk down the line slipping left and right under it. Do it with your hands up in your guard.
In shadowboxing, visualize incoming jabs and practice slipping them before throwing your counter. Ten minutes of this a session builds the habit faster than you expect.
Slipping is one of the skills that separates fighters who think on defense from those who just block and hope for the best.
Simeon Hardy is a boxing coach, former World Ranked professional boxer, and former WBC welterweight champion based in New York. He trains fighters and fitness enthusiasts of all levels at BOXwithSimmy NYC. Follow along on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
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