Classic Guards (boxing style)#Conventional Guard

The modern Classic Guards consist of the modern Traditional Guard, Conventional Guard and the High Guard. These guards are a modern variation of the traditional bareknuckle boxing guard and were widely used after the Marquess of Queensberry Rules which forbid grappling techniques and made use of boxing gloves mandatory.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2012/11/16/3642584/the-pugilist-comparing-nick-diaz-daniel-mendoza-sweet-science-boxing-wrestling-prizefighting|title=The Pugilist: Nick Diaz, Daniel Mendoza and the Sweet Science of Bruising}}{{Cite web |title=Karate Kamae or Guard|url=https://www.wayofleastresistance.net/2008/08/karate-kamae-or-guard.html?m=1|access-date=25 June 2025}} The primary difference between the Traditional bare-knuckle boxing guard and the modern Traditional Guard is that the Traditional bare-knuckle boxing guard held the arms at an angle greater than 90 degrees compared to the modern Traditional Guard where the arms are held at 90 degree angles or less. Though these guards have vastly different uses.

The modern Classic Guards are often the first Guards taught to boxers as the initial guard position is easy to learn{{Cite web |title=Top 5 Boxing Guards You Should Know|url=https://www.elitesports.com/blogs/news/top-5-boxing-guards-you-should-know-as-a-boxer|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Essential Boxing Guards|url=https://uk.aqfsports.com/blogs/boxing/essential-boxing-guards|access-date=25 June 2025}} and they are effective against haymakers,{{Cite web |title=Slugger Boxing Style|url=https://bestboxing.net/slugger-boxing-style/|access-date=25 June 2025}} which is the type of punch many untrained fighters and beginners use often.{{Cite web |title=The Ultimate Guide to Haymaker Punch|url=https://bjj.guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-haymaker-punch-in-combat-sports/techniques/|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=What is a Haymaker Punch|url=https://mmachannel.com/what-is-a-haymaker-punch-in-boxing-easily-explained/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

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The traditional guard in boxing consists of the lead arm bent at a 90 degree, or less, angle with the arm held away from the head and the hand in a closed fist. The rear arm is also held at a 90 degree, or less, angle but the closed fist is held next to the face usually near the chin and jaw but can also be held higher.{{Cite web |title=Complete Boxing Beginners Guide|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/the-complete-boxing-beginners-guide/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The advantages of the Modern Traditional Guard is that the initial guard position is easy to learn, as it is just a matter of raising the arms. It also provides passive defense{{Cite web |title=Active and Passive Defense|url=https://straight2boxing.com/2018/04/09/active-and-passive-defense/|access-date=25 June 2025}} against hooks using the back of the gloves and forearms to absorb hook punches to head and the elbows to block hook punches to the body.{{Cite web |title=5 Boxing Guards to Study|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/5-boxing-guards-to-study/|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Catching and Blocking|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/boxing-101-catching-and-blocking/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The slightly extended lead arm and rear arm placed on the chin, below eye level, gives the boxer better visibility than the other Classic Guards and creates distance. The bent position of the arms also allows boxers to punch with more power compared to the extended arms of the long guards.{{Cite web |title=Boxing MMA Guard|url=https://www.progressivecombatsystems.com/jeet-kune-do/boxing-mma-guard-vs-muay-thai-guard-vs-flinch-spear/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The disadvantages are that the centerline is exposed and the face requires active defense against straight punches, such as using parries, and uppercuts to the head and body.{{Cite web |title=How to Parry Punches|url=https://expertboxing.com/how-to-parry-punches|access-date=25 June 2025}} Since straight punches are generally quicker than hooks this requires the boxer the have quick reflexes.{{Cite web |title=How to Use the Long Guard in Boxing|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/how-to-use-the-long-guard-in-boxing/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The active defense also requires a high level of specificity. For example, when boxers are in a closed stance the Traditional Guard fighter would generally use his lead hand to parry a cross and his rear hand to parry a jab. Parrying a jab with the lead hand would expose the Traditional Guard boxer to a cross or rear hook from their opponent. This specificity makes this guard difficult to master. The Traditional Guard generally only provides one line of defense. For example, if a boxer from the closed stance is not quick enough to parry the jab with the rear hand they will be punched as there is not a second line of passive defense.{{Cite web |title=Parry Boxing|url=https://www.ubudmuaythai.com/blog/parry-boxing|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The traditional guard also relies heavily on blocking with the hands. As the hands are also needed to punch this often puts the Traditional Guard boxer in the position of blocking first and then counterpunching before an opponent can reset to punch again.{{Cite web |title=Counterpunching to Win|url=https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/November-December-2023/Counterpunching-to-Win/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The gap between the lead hand and the face also limits the ability to use this guard at close range. It also makes upper body lateral movement difficult. The hands held high also makes punches easy to see by the opponent.

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The Conventional Guard in boxing consists of the lead arm bent at a 90 degree, or less, angle with the arm held on the side of the head and the hand in a closed fist. The rear arm is also held at a 90 degree, or less, angle and the closed fist is also held next to the face usually at ear level or higher, but can also be held near the chin instead.

The advantages of the Conventional Guard is that the initial guard position is easy to learn, as it is just a matter of raising the arms. It also provides passive defense against hooks using the back of the gloves to absorb hook punches to head and the elbows to block hook punches to the body. The bent position of the arms also allows boxers to punch with more power compared to the extended arms of the long guards.

With the lead arm closer to the head this provides a fighter with slower reflexes better ability to block than from a Traditional Guard. As the guard puts both hands in the hook cover position to passively defend against hooks and the lead hand being closer to the boxers face gives them more time to parry straight punches and uppercuts.

The disadvantages are the hands are generally held at eye level, or higher, which limits the boxer's visibility compared to the Traditional Guard. With the lead arm closer to the body it does not create the distance that the Traditional Guard does allowing opponents to close the distance more easily.{{Cite web |title=Boxers Guide to Inside Fighting|url=https://expertboxing.com/the-boxers-guide-to-inside-fighting|access-date=25 June 2025}}

Like the Traditional Guard, the Conventional Guard leaves the centerline exposed and it requires active defense against straight punches, such as using parries, and uppercuts to the head and body. The active defense also requires the same high level of specificity as the Traditional Guard making this guard difficult to master.

The Conventional Guard also generally only provides one line of defense, compared to Crab Style guards which often use both the lead and rear hand to block the same punch for redundant safety. The Conventional Guard also relies heavily on blocking with the hands. As the hands are also needed to punch this often puts the Conventional Guard boxer in the position of blocking first and then counterpunching before an opponent can reset to punch again. The hand positioning also leaves boxers susceptible to hand traps and framing.{{Cite web |title=Boxers Guide to Inside Fighting|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/how-to-use-the-hand-trap-in-boxing/|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Apollos Boxing Tips|url=https://www.apollosboxing.co.uk/apollos-boxing-tips-the-european-guard/|access-date=25 June 2025}} It also makes punches easy to see by the opponent.

The Helmet Guard is a variation of the Conventional Guard except one or both elbows flare outwards towards the opponent.

This provides additional head protection, but leaves the sides of the body open to attacks.

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The High Guard consists of both arms bent at a 90 degree, or less, angle with the gloves in front of the face pressed against the forehead usually about eyebrow level and the hands positioned as if looking through a pair of binoculars or making a heart shape. The shoulders are raised to defend the jaw and partially the ears, while the elbows are pressed together to defend against uppercuts to the head.{{Cite web |title=Boxing Guards|url=https://blog.spartacus-mma.com/boxing-guards/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

The advantages of the High Guard are that the initial guard position is easy to learn, as it is just a matter of raising the arms. Unlike the Traditional Guard and the Conventional Guard, the High Guard provides passive defense against straight punches and uppercuts to the head and upper body as well as defense against hooks using the back of the gloves to absorb hook punches to head and the elbows to block hook punches to the body. Unlike the Traditional and Conventional Guard, the High Guard does not leave the centerline for the head and upper body exposed. The bent position of the arms also allows boxers to punch with more power compared to the extended arms of the long guards.

With both hands and forearms positioned in front of the face this provides a fighter with slower reflexes the ability to passively block rather than use parries and other active defensive tactics. As the guard still puts the hands partially in the hook cover position, it can passively defend against hooks to the temple, jaw and chin. The High Guard's passive defense does not requires a high level of specificity like the Traditional and Conventional Guard making this guard easier to master.

The disadvantages are the hands are generally held at eye level, or higher, which limits the boxer's visibility compared to the Traditional Guard.{{Cite web |title=Types of Guards|url=https://straight2boxing.com/2018/07/01/types-of-guards/|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Crucial Defensive Techniques|url=https://evolve-vacation.com/blog/crucial-defensive-techniques-and-strategies-in-boxing/|access-date=25 June 2025}} With the lead arm closer to the body it does not create the distance that the Traditional Guard does allowing opponents to close the distance easier. The High Guard relies on blocking punches directly with the forearms which can take damage over the course of the fight.

In the High Guard, the centerline of the lower body does not have passive defense making punches to the midsection easier to land. The High Guard also generally only provides one line of defense. Although both the lead and rear hand block the same punch together they are both positioned next to each other at the same distance, as opposed to the lead hand being used as a primary defense and the rear hand used as a secondary defense in case the primary defense fails.

The High Guard also relies heavily on blocking with the hands and forearms. As the hands are also needed to punch this often puts the High Guard boxer in the position of blocking first and then counterpunching before an opponent can reset to punch again.{{Cite web |title=Boxing High Guard|url=https://www.legends.com.sg/boxing-high-guard/|access-date=25 June 2025}} Opponents are more likely to initiate strikes against a high guard because they know the opponent must use their arms to block and cannot easily attack if they are being punched. While this is a disadvantage, a High Guard fighter can use this to their advantage by baiting an opponent to strike them when putting up the High Guard, then quickly using a pull and counter as used by boxers such as Floyd Mayweather Jr..{{Cite web |title=High Guard Bait and Pull Counter|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=jept5YgFc10|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Boxing Dictionary|url=https://www.titleboxing.com/pages/boxing-dictionary?srsltid=AfmBOoogAEiqT30iAgnwf8CzG-2yu8vSKpYfXoxx1iEyYnDVXtGXsvfJ|access-date=25 June 2025}}

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The high hand positioning of the High Guard also leaves boxers susceptible to hand traps and framing. and also makes punches easy to see by an opponent. While the High Guard partially protects against hooks, the ears are still partially exposed and hooks to the ears or behind the ears may still land. The High Guard can also be split allowing vertical punches,{{Cite web |title=Horizontal Punches vs Vertical Punches|url=https://expertboxing.com/horizontal-punches-vs-vertical-punches|access-date=25 June 2025}}{{Cite web |title=How to Throw a Powerful Jab|url=https://sweetscienceoffighting.com/how-to-throw-a-powerful-jab-jack-dempsey-was-right/|access-date=25 June 2025}} and punches such as a spear jab, to land.{{Cite web |title=Different Types of Jab|url=https://fayzfitness.co.uk/the-different-types-of-jab/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

High Guard fighters include Marlon Starling and Winky Wright.{{Cite web |title=Best Defensive Boxers of All Time|url=https://www.thesportster.com/best-defensive-boxers-of-all-time-ranked-by-skill/|access-date=25 June 2025}}

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Category:Boxing terminology

Category:Boxing