Bob and Weave - Boxing & Martial Arts Technique

This page focuses on the "Bob and Weave" technique used to avoid a punch. This technique is also known as the "Duck and Weave". In many martial arts, students are taught to block a punch or kick. However, it is often more effective to "dodge" and avoid a punch or kick (and thus avoiding potential damage to the blocking arm).

In boxing and many other martial arts, most fighters use bob & weave drills as part of their overall training. The bob & weave drill involves using the knees in order to duck under a punch or punching/focus mitt while simultaneously moving the head & upper body to avoid the punch or punching/focus mitt. However, be aware that the fighter is not backing away from the opponent. Rather with the bob & weave technique, a fighter dodges the punch and stays close to the attacker in order to launch his own strikes (i.e. practicing a punch to his partner's ribs).

In contrast, the boxing slipping technique involves moving the head while standing to avoid a punch. Slipping and the bob & weave are usually used together in order to evade an attack. Watch the second video to learn a bob & weave drill that you can use during your martial arts training.