This video lesson covers what I call the Wave To A Friend defence. It is perfect against a big right hand. Old time boxers, and some modern day greats, used this method many times. It is even better for self-defence, and when it is done correctly it leaves you in a position to counter effectively.

It is for boxers, martial artists and anyone who wants a simple, reliable answer to the most common attack there is.

Why the Big Right Hand Matters

In the street, the big right hand, the wild haymaker, is the attack you are most likely to face. Untrained people throw it because it feels powerful. It is often thrown from close range, with surprise, and with the whole body behind it. If it lands on the jaw it can end things very quickly.

So any self-defence you train needs a good answer to it. That answer has to be simple, because under stress fine motor skills disappear. It has to be fast. And ideally it should put you somewhere useful, not just stop the punch.

How a Good Defence Works

The best defences do more than block. A block on its own leaves you standing in the same place, ready to take the next punch. A good defence does three things at once:

  • It protects the head from the strike
  • It moves you, or your structure, into a better position
  • It sets you up to counter straight away

That is the idea behind this defence and why boxers have used versions of it for so long. The arm comes up in a natural movement, the head is protected, and you finish in a position from which you can hit back.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is reaching out to meet the punch. That shortens your reaction time and often misses. Another is defending and then freezing, which wastes the position you have just earned. Finally, people tense up, which slows everything down.

How to Practise It

Start with a partner throwing a slow, telegraphed right hand. Get the shape right first. Then increase the speed a little at a time. Once the defence is natural, add a counter to it so you train the whole sequence, not just the defensive part. Always train with control and with a partner you trust.

In a real situation, avoidance comes first, and any force you use must be reasonable for the threat you face. This is about protecting yourself, not starting fights.

Take It Further

The Pressure Point Self Defense Course builds this kind of defence into a full system. If you come from a boxing background, The Boxing Series goes deeper into defence and counters.