When to Use
Slip inside to get into close range for body hooks, uppercuts, and inside fighting. Only use against straight punches — never slip inside a hook.
Execution Steps
- Read the incoming straight punch by watching the opponent's chest and shoulders for the telegraphing rotation — never wait to see the fist moving before you react, as that is too late for a clean slip.
- Crunch your obliques on the rear side while simultaneously bending at the knees — the combination of lateral crunch and knee bend moves your head inside the punch's trajectory while keeping your spine relatively upright.
- Move your head toward the opponent's chest, positioning it on the inside of their punching arm — you should feel your rear hip load with stored rotational energy for a counter uppercut or hook.
- Keep your hands at cheekbone height and your eyes locked on the opponent throughout the entire movement — the inside position is dangerous, so maintaining vision and hand protection is non-negotiable.
Coaching Cues
"Inside straights only — never hooks."
"Head toward their chest."
"Fire the uppercut as you come in."
Pro Tips
- Slipping inside a jab positions you perfectly for a rear uppercut — your rear hip is loaded from the oblique crunch and you are directly under the opponent's chin at close range, which is the uppercut's ideal striking distance.
- Only slip inside straight punches — never hooks, never overhands. If you see the opponent's elbow lift laterally, abort the inside slip and weave under instead.
- Use the inside slip to set up body hooks to the liver — your inside position gives you a clean angle to the opponent's right side where the liver sits unprotected below the ribcage.
- Chain the inside slip with a rear uppercut-lead hook combination for maximum damage — the slip loads the uppercut, and the uppercut's upward trajectory naturally loads the lead hook.
Conditioning Drills
- Slip Rope Alternating: 3 rounds of 3 minutes alternating inside and outside slips in rhythm — builds the neuromuscular pattern for switching slip directions on demand and develops oblique endurance on both sides.
- Oblique Crunches: 3 sets of 20 per side, both standing and lying variations — strengthens the specific oblique contraction that drives the inside slip's lateral head movement.
- Partner Mitt Drills: 5 rounds of reactive slipping where a partner throws light jabs at random intervals — trains the visual recognition and reaction speed needed to read punches and slip in real time.
Gym Workout: Inside Slip & Uppercut Setup
4 exercises · 20 min · Hit the gym and sharpen this technique
🥊 PRACTICE MODE
Ready to drill the Slip Inside?
Jump into a focused workout session built around this technique.
Q1 of 3
Which muscle group is primarily engaged when performing the Slip Inside?