Sports
Chalk Talk: Josh Hershbine

Use these ducking and dodging tips from a Penn State boxer to avoid flying fists to the face.

illustration of a boxer holding up both fists as if warding off blows by Joel Kimmel
By Jeff Rice '03 Com

 

Defensive Mindset 

Mike Tyson famously said that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. But you can plan for that, too. Josh Hershbine, a member of Penn State’s club boxing team, offers some tips on how to avoid a punch—or at least mitigate its damage. 

 

Hands Up

Keep your hands near your cheeks and chin, Hershbine says, which offers the most basic but most effective defense of a punch. “That’s going to protect the most vulnerable part of my face, which is my chin, from taking a hard punch.”

 

illustration of a boxer with both fists up leaning one way, with reflection of himself leaning the other way, by Joel KimmelGive 'Em the Slip

Once a punch from the side has been thrown, you can slip—move your head left or right—to avoid it. Always slip outside the punch, Hershbine says: If they throw a right, slip to your left, so that you’re not open to a shot from the other hand.

 

Shell Played

If you see a straight punch coming, put your hands even farther up so that your forearms form a shell around your face.

 

Keep Your Feet

Staying out of range of opponents with short arms or getting closer to one with longer arms, to make their punches less effective, is key. Keep moving, Hershbine says, and “always be mindful of whether you’re in the danger zone.”