Bob and weave
Boxing defensive technique
- Type
- Footwork and evasion, Punches
- Martial arts
- Kickboxing, Boxing
- Classified as
- punch
In boxing, bobbing and weaving is a defensive technique that moves the head both beneath and laterally of an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the fighter bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Fighters generally begin weaving to the left, as most opponents are orthodox stance, and therefore strike with a left jab first. Common mistakes made with this move include bending at the waist, bending too low, moving in the same direction as the incoming punch, and squaring up.
To be able to bob and weave, the boxer would need good reflexes to accurately see the punches coming.
Other Kickboxing footwork and evasion
Japanese terms for footwork and evasion
| Term | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 足技 | ashiwaza | foot technique (in judo, sumo wrestling, etc.); footwork |
| 足運び | ashihakobi | gait; manner of walking |
| 差し手 | sashite | slipping one's hand beneath the opponent's arm and latching on to the underside of his belt |
| 突っかける | tsukkakeru | to slip on (slippers, sandals, etc.) |
| 一眼二足三胆四力 | ichigannisokusantanshiriki | firstly vision, secondly footwork, thirdly courage, fourthly technique (the most important aspects of kendo) |
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q4934515 (CC0); text quoted from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.