Once you have engrossed the basic knowledge of boxing and sparring, the next step is to prepare yourself for entering the competition and being dominant in the ring. To plan your stance and strategies, you need to know about the various boxing styles and how to choose one. Whether to choose swarmer boxing style or slugger boxing style depends on your body style, speed, strength, skill, endurance capacity, and types of punches in boxing form.
Although all the boxing styles are known and popular in their respect, swarmer boxing is particularly gaining importance nowadays. Are you looking for information on this particular boxing form? Then thanks to the heavens as you have reached out to the right tab.
So, let’s have a closer look at the swarmer boxing style.
What makes the Swarmer Boxing style different from other boxing styles?
Swarmer boxing style, also known as crowder or pressure fighter boxing form focuses on lowering the distance between the fighter and the opponent so that you can attack with a flurry of blows. The principle of this boxing style is not hard throws but fast throws. In fact, it is a purely technical and aggressive nightmare in which you aim to hit fast with phenomenal speed. As a result, you don’t spare the opponent for a moment to apply the counter-defensive techniques even.
Some famous types of boxers that practiced swarmer boxing style are Rocky Marciano, Tommy Burns, Mike Tyson, Harry Greb, Carmen Basilio, Battling Nelson, and the list continues.
The Core Features of the Swarmer Boxing Style
A swarmer boxer or fighter aims to maximize the effect of every single attack he creates. So, he needs to have very good footwork coordination, using which he can dodge easily. The primary features required by a swarmer boxer are:
- An exceptionally good chain work so that he can take a reasonable number of shots.
- Well-coordinated footwork to dodge and lower the distance tactically.
- Slipping ability to minimize the distance between the opponent and the boxer.
- The grip on basic wrestling skills and endurance will help in clinches.
Why should boxers choose Swarmer Boxing Style – The known advantages!
Whenever we talk about swarmer boxing style, it is always mentioned that this style is perfect for the short boxers, but no one tells us WHY? So, here we have broken down the facts behind this statement:
Negate the reaching advantage of the taller rival
The worst situation encountered when you box against someone is when he is taller than you. He keeps on throwing longer jabs and punches at your face and soft muscles, and unfortunately, you aren’t even able to reach his face even. In that situation, the swarmer boxing style holds you back.
In this boxing form, you shorten the distance between you and your tall rival. As a result, you are close enough to throw a lot of punches and jabs within no time, but your opponent isn’t able to as he wants some room to attack you.
Overwhelming the defensive rival
We know that the defensive boxers body type is tuned to wait for rivals to attack so that they can counterattack with their agility and speed. But that trick doesn’t work when they have a swarmer boxer at the other end.
Yes, because a swarmer boxer is equally fast in attacking, and moreover, he knows how to apply pressure to knock you down. And here is an example to support this fact.
Remember when Floyd Mayweather, one of the fastest and greatest defensive boxers of all times, came across Marco, a swarmer boxer? Marco pressed him and pounded with overhands.
No need for athleticism in swarmer boxing style
You must be wondering WHAT? HOW COME A BOXER DOESN’T NEED MUCH OF ATHLETICISM?
Well, in the case of swarmer boxing style, you don’t need to have an extraordinarily long reach and a good body with precise throws. No! You just need to have an effective and clear built-in strategy in your mind. ( To know more about the strategy, scroll down)
Beat the most skilled boxers
Let’s shed light on the match where Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard came face to face against each other. Although Sugar Ray Leonard is a very skilled boxer, he couldn’t stand against Roberto Duran, a swarmer boxer.
Yes, the fact behind this is that most of the skilled boxers aren’t trained much to counter the close-range attacks. As a result, the swarmer boxers land fast speed throws and punches, resulting in being dominant throughout the show!
So, we can clearly state a swarmer boxing style can be effective against nearly all types of boxing forms. All you need to do is develop deep hands in its basic stances and fighting techniques. Let’s get into them now.
How to fight like a pro– 4 Things to Implement in Strategy!
If you are keen enough to become a real swarmer, here are the four things to add to your fighting strategy:
Guard and Stance in Swarmer boxing style
While fighting from inside, you need to protect your head and at the same time throw some good combinations too. For that purpose you need to learn some good guards like:
- Peek-ah-boo guard that helps to protect your head and body, and at the same time throw some powerful shots. Basically, you make some moves like covering your head with gloves, tucking the chin to the chest, and keeping the elbows on the ribs.
- Crossguard focuses on using arms for protection. Your lead hand protects the entire body by covering it, while the rear hand covers the lead shoulder. However, it can never match the peek-ah-boo defensive level.
Movement and Footwork
Lessening the gap between you and the rival is not easy at all. So, you, as a swarmer, need to have some good movement and footwork to not only increase your impact but also protect yourself from getting under your opponent’s control. Here are the tips to prevent that case:
- Cutting the angles of your opponent by predicting his next move
- Use a squared-up stance when you find your rival near you. As a result, it would become nearly impossible for him to escape, and you can land your powerful punches too.
- Frequent in and out movement like Mike Tyson used to do so that your opponent least knows about your next move.
- Use double jabs and slipping punches to distract his attention from your foot movement. And meanwhile, you can move closer to him.
Combinations
Although landing a straight jab or punch is also good, a juicy win is possible by using various combos. It will lead you to catch the opponent and attack more effectively. So, here are a few combinations that a swarmer can go for asserting dominance:
- Cross + Jab + Lead Hook
- Lead Body Hook + lead head hook + lead uppercut
- Mixed hooks and uppercuts
- Lunge and Jab
Clinch
The last thing to add to your strategy of this boxing form has obviously clinched that help to develop significant control over your opponent. You can go for an over-under technique that can reposition your opponent.
- In an over hook, you place your arms around your opponent’s arms so that they can’t move and throw any punch.
- In an under hook, you place your hands below your rival’s arms while your arms are near the opponent’s shoulder.
Exercises and Drills
Here are a few exercises you can do to become a pro swarmer puncher for the fight:
- Practicing punching speed bags and double-end drill bags.
- The sparring will help in slipping and weaving.
Conclusion
There is no second thought that the swarmer boxing style is one of the best types of boxing style for all boxers, particularly for the short heightened ones as it gives them an advantage over their rival.
So, as you have become well abreast of all the details, decide whether this boxing style fits your suits or not!
