How to block wild windmill haymaker type of punches in sparring?

Question

Wether it be in boxing or martial arts

Answer 1

It's not a good idea to try and block something like that. Either try and parry the blow or move inside and strike while your opponent is swinging.

Answer 2

If we’re talking sparring like in class or with a friend. More likely than not, you are better off attempting not to block a ‘wild haymaker’. Usually when someone is swinging wildly they are off balance and or will be off balance once they commit to the swing. Keys to defend against a wild haymaker and re-acting. One is footing i.e. spacing of the feet as well as distance from one foot to another and being able to pivot on the balls your feet. Aside from balance, you have to understand that distance from your opponent dictates whether or not that attacker can hit and you can strike back. Of course, being able to ‘read’ your opponent is another tool that comes into play. People say the eyes or the shoulder etc. it’s actually a combo of eye’s, breathing, shoulders, placing of the feet and squaring of the torso. Sparring is very situational, depending on where you are at in reference to your sparring buddy. When having no choice but to block then I would recommend blocking not only with your arm or arms, at the same time, with part of your torso as well and depending on what style with either knee. You need to develop martial awareness, speed and timing skills. I would also recommend sparring with other people if in a class setting then that’s a given if you’re just sparring with one person all the time then you are limiting your development because eventually after time, you will get used to your opponents ‘style’ and become stagnant. Hope that this helps a little.

Answer 3

Usually a true haymaker will injure or at least hurt whether it lands or you block it. Step inside the punch and attack while his arm is still back or front ball kick to set him reeling backwards before he can strike. Another option is to step in and duck under the punch, then as you stand catch him on the chin with an uppercut or in the gut and ribs with a flurry of quick jabs.

Answer 4

If it's a hook like punch, the best thing to do is back and in the direction the attack is coming from.

while most here seem to think stepping inside the attack is best, that still puts you in line with the attack. Instead of a hooking punch you're now half way to a bear-hug like attack.

Stepping to the outside, not only lets you avoid the attack but it also forces him to fold his punch across his body. From this position his punching arm should be between you and his own body. While you can use any series of attacks, you could simply attack his arm as well. Go for a hold by grabbing the forearm and pull him into an arm bar, or simply jab to the face or kick to the ribs.

From an outside position you have a full range of attacks, while he has limited countering ability. It would be hard to counter with his "free hand" as that would involve blocking through the attacking arm.

If you HAVE to block, I would prefer an outside hooking style block (but after you've leaned back to dodge the strike). Come from across your body and follow the direction of the attack - from here you could push forward with the blocking hand and force his attacking arm toward his own body. Use this arm to assist the block with your free hand you could punch to the chest (best and hardest to both see coming and defend against) or grab the arm and you've got your set up for the arm bar again.

If someone keeps throwing wild punches, show them that proper technique was developed over centuries for a reason.

Answer 5

Dont block. it becomes a single movement that achieves nothing, because the next swing from the other arm is on its way already.

make the attack useless by getting out of its range, or within its range. the first one only achieves a break from attack for a little time, and then they will come at you again so it is useless. the latter has you closing the gap and using more personally demoralizing strikes, that throw them off guard mentally and on the retaliation. once they are on the back foot, they have lost the monopoly and its your turn to keep attacking until you have broken their defenses and knocked them down.
charge them and go for the chin. dont punch back, as it is easier to palm the face from having your hands in front of you... no loading of shoulder needed. just a good lunge through the gap and knock the chin back on a 45 angle upwards. even if the arms get in the way, the force of your entry will get you inside and they cant do you any harm... unless you dont attack them, and they counter your entry.

using elbows from this personal range is an awesome counter, and if successful will drop them or force them to quit while they are ahead and run.

or you could land a side kick to their leg. they shouldnt be able to reach you if you do it right, and follow through with punching or chops to the face.

the key is to make any attack useless. if it relies on you being at a certain range, alter it, but alter it in favor of your intended attack. if they intended to strike you then you have to make the first thing you do an attack, not a backing up.

Answer 6

Cover and crash into him, bury your head in his chest, and hook to body and head. Drive the hooks with your body and it probably won't matter if he's trying to hang on to your arms to smother the blows. (Won't matter regarding impact, that is -- if you need a judge to see it, that's another issue.) For someone who's used to fighting at the length of his arm, this works like a dream -- once. Best not try it twice on the same person, though.

If you're looking for a more skillful response, then you've got a couple of options. If you're responding early in the blow, come in straight and hard -- jab-cross is a great way to block a haymaker. If you're late, then you'll want to duck under it. Depending on your distance, you can fire over the top, hook underneath, or -- if you're not boxing -- grapple. If you're grappling, get control of the arm *above* the elbow, and he (temporarily) can't hit you with either arm. That's a good time to drop him on his head.

Answer 7

I wouldn't try to block it... I've been successful with stepping inside with a slight parry and an attack. Going for the shoot in and slamming to the ground against an attack like that has worked as well, if your timing is off... ouch.

If you are deadset... move and parry the blow to soften it, meeting it dead on is not so good. An alternate is to step into it with a block to take some of the power away and hit at the same time with the other hand (or elbow depending upon how close you get).

Answer 8

Since there are three catagories of defending against an attack, i would pick either the first or the second, because the third is apt to fail.
#1 Never let the attack happen, either through the stop punch (punching his punch away, usually by punching the wrist. Or hitting his back shoulder and removing all power from the punch, this puts all of his force into his shoulder hitting your fist.) or by never allowing your opponent a good position for the attack.
#2 Dodge the punch, slip and attack from another positon, either by moving back and kicking, ducking under it and punching , or stepping with it and throwing.
#3 Block the punch, inadvisable with a power attack, as you are more likely to hurt yourself, the best bet would be to use an elbow because if you try to catch it it will plow through, and trying to smack it aside can prove difficult as well.
But if you follow my motto of being everywhere and nowhere at the same time, you can attack and defend from any position by having an attack from anywhere and making it as awkward for your opponent to attack with power as possible.

Answer 9

Step inside with a strike while using an outward block to deflect the haymaker .

Answer 10

Get out of the way. If they continue to do that it won't be hard to get into their rhythm and/or see them telegraph and strike before they can. Usually a good knee strike can be effective. :o) But that's only if it's for real, otherwise use good leg kicks - that will slow them down!