Slip & Counter Cross

  • Striking
  • Defense
  • intermediate
  • Orthodox stance
  • 4 steps

Move the head off the centre-line to avoid a straight punch, then return fire with the cross. Also known as the Slip the jab or the Pull counter. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Stance, eyes on the chest

    Stay relaxed, hands high, reading the incoming straight punch.

    Slip & Counter Cross step 1 of 4: Stance, eyes on the chest
  2. 02

    Slip off the line

    Bend the knees and rotate slightly to move the head a few inches off the centre-line so the punch slides past.

    Slip & Counter Cross step 2 of 4: Slip off the line
  3. 03

    Return the cross

    You are already loaded, fire the rear cross down the middle, rotating the hip into them.

    Slip & Counter Cross step 3 of 4: Return the cross
  4. 04

    Recover to guard

    Bring the hand back and re-centre your stance.

    Slip & Counter Cross step 4 of 4: Recover to guard

Key details

  • Slip just far enough to make it miss, over-slipping kills balance.
  • Bend at the knees and waist, not just the neck.
  • Counter immediately while they are still extended.

Common mistakes

  • Slipping into the path of the other hand.
  • Only moving the head and losing the loaded counter.
  • Taking the eyes off the opponent during the slip.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

Film a round and the app finds which techniques showed up in your game, where the Slip & Counter Cross fits, and what to drill next. Private beta, 50 founding seats.

Join the waitlist