Boxing
Rear-Hand Boxing Parry
The rear-hand boxing parry uses a small movement of your back hand to redirect a straight punch. Practiced without contact, it develops defensive coordination, timing, and balance.
- Beginner
- Compound
- Low injury risk
- Rest 30 sec
How to do it
- Take a staggered boxing stance with your rear foot slightly to the side, knees softly bent.
- Raise both hands into your guard near your cheeks.
- Turn your rear palm toward an imagined straight punch approaching your face.
- Move your rear palm a few inches toward your lead side to guide the imagined punch past your face.
- Return your rear hand to its starting guard position.
Form cues
- Keep your lead hand home
- Chin slightly tucked
- Keep your rear elbow close
- Stay loose through your shoulders
Common mistakes
- Swatting across your bodyStop the parry near your centerline rather than sweeping your hand toward the opposite shoulder.
- Reaching out for the punchImagine intercepting the punch just in front of your guard instead of extending your arm.
- Leaning awayKeep your weight balanced between your feet rather than tipping your torso backward.
Safety
Forceful swatting can irritate your shoulder or elbow. Against real punches, a mistimed parry can leave your face exposed to impact.
- Start with slow, noncontact repetitions before increasing speed.
- Practice on a nonslip surface with clear space around you.
- End the set when fatigue makes your hand movement uncontrolled.
- Do not use incoming head punches to test this drill without qualified boxing supervision and appropriate protective equipment.
If you have current wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain, seek advice from a physiotherapist before adding speed or contact.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
No equipment needed.
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 10–15 reps
- Rest
- 30 sec
Count one parry followed by a return to guard as one repetition.