1. Stance (Boxing Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position: Begin in your standard boxing stance, with your lead foot forward (left foot for orthodox, right foot for southpaw). Feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet, ready to move quickly.
• Knees and Hips: Keep your knees slightly bent and your hips relaxed. This allows for mobility and balance, making it easier to slip and counter without losing your position.
• Hands/Guard: Your lead hand should be up near your chin, ready to jab or defend. Your rear hand should be guarding your chin or jaw, and your elbows should be close to your body to protect your ribs. Always keep your head slightly off-center to avoid being a stationary target.

2. The Slip (Defensive Movement)

• Step 1 – Recognize the Punch: The slip is typically used to evade a straight punch, such as a jab or cross. Watch for your opponent’s punch coming toward your head, and be prepared to slip to the left or right. The slip is not about moving backward; it’s about getting off the centerline.
• Step 2 – Slip to the Side: To execute a slip, use your legs and torso to move your head to the side. If your opponent throws a punch with their lead hand (e.g., a jab), slip to your right (if orthodox) or to your left (if southpaw). If they throw with the rear hand (e.g., a cross), you will slip to the opposite side.
  • For a right slip (against a left jab), rotate your shoulders and hips slightly while shifting your head and torso to the right.
  • For a left slip (against a right cross), rotate your upper body to the left, moving your head to avoid the punch.
• Step 3 – Head Movement: As you slip, make sure your head doesn’t just drop or dip forward. Your head should move smoothly to the side, keeping your balance intact while remaining in position to counterattack. The movement should be subtle—don’t over-exaggerate the slip, as it could leave you off balance or open to other attacks.

3. The Counter (Follow-up Attack)

• Step 1 – Immediate Counterattack: After slipping to avoid the punch, the next step is to immediately respond with a counter. The counter is typically a punch that comes straight after the slip, capitalizing on your opponent’s exposed position.
  • If you slip to the right, you can follow up with a left hook, right cross, or even a right uppercut.
  • If you slip to the left, you can follow up with a right cross, left hook, or a quick left uppercut.
• Step 2 – Exploit the Opening: Your opponent’s punch will leave them temporarily vulnerable after they miss. This is the moment to capitalize. As you slip, you should be ready to strike quickly with your own punch, often targeting their head or body, depending on the angle and distance.
• Step 3 – Fluidity: The counter should be a natural follow-up to the slip. The key is smooth, fluid motion: as soon as you slip, your body should already be moving into the counterpunch. Avoid pausing between the slip and the counter—this quick transition is essential for effective countering.

4. Footwork During the Slip and Counter

• Step 1 – Maintain Balance: While slipping, don’t overcommit with your body. You need to maintain a solid base for balance, so you’re ready to explode into your counterpunch.
• Step 2 – Pivot or Step: Sometimes, after slipping, you might need to pivot or step to a new angle to deliver your counter more effectively. For instance, after slipping to the left, you could pivot on your rear foot to create an angle for a better hook or uppercut.
• Step 3 – Close the Distance (If Needed): If you’ve slipped and need to close the distance to deliver a counter, use small steps forward or slide your lead foot in. You can also use your slip to move off-center to get closer to your opponent for a more effective attack.

5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

• Rear Hand Guard: During the slip, make sure your rear hand remains up to protect your face, especially your chin and jaw. Even though you’re slipping to avoid the punch, you’re still at risk of counterattacks if you don’t keep your guard intact.
• Lead Hand Position: Keep your lead hand in position to either throw a jab or defend if needed. The lead hand should be close to your face while you’re slipping, ready to react if necessary.
• Elbow Position: Keep your elbows tucked in close to your body, not flared out. This helps with defense, reduces openings for your opponent, and helps you maintain good structure when you transition from defense to offense.

6. Follow-up and Recovery

• Return to Guard: After the counter lands (or misses), quickly return your hands to your guard position. This ensures that you’re ready to defend or follow up with another strike.
• Reset Your Position: After a successful slip and counter, make sure you reset your stance and balance. You should be ready for your opponent’s next move or to launch a new combination if needed.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-slipping: Avoid over-committing to the slip. Slipping too far can make it difficult to recover and counter effectively, leaving you open to further attacks.
• Lack of Follow-Through: Make sure to follow through with the counterattack immediately after the slip. A delay between slipping and punching gives your opponent a chance to reset or recover.
• Dropping the Guard: Don’t drop your rear hand when slipping, as this leaves your chin exposed. Always keep your guard high to defend against any counterattacks.
• Lack of Head Movement: Avoid not slipping at all or relying too much on just your arms for defense. Effective slips come from both the head and torso, not just leaning with your upper body.

8. Advanced Concepts

• Feinting with the Slip: At an advanced level, you can use the slip as part of a feint. For instance, you can make it seem like you’re going to slip, tricking your opponent into throwing a punch, only to counter them with a different technique.
• Slip into a Combination: Instead of just one punch after the slip, you can follow up with a series of punches. For example, slip to the right, then deliver a left hook, right cross combination.
• Slip and Clinch: If you slip a punch and your opponent is off-balance or close enough, you can immediately follow up with a clinch to control them and prevent further attacks.

Summary:

The Slip and Counter technique is essential in boxing to evade attacks and immediately punish your opponent for missing. By effectively slipping punches and then launching a quick, powerful counterattack, you can control the pace of the fight and exploit openings in your opponent’s defense. Quick reactions, fluid movement, and maintaining your guard throughout the process are key to mastering this technique.