October Counterpunching Curriculum

This Week: Week 1 (Oct 5–9)

Coaches follow this plan

Ryan's published plan for October Counterpunching, Week 1 (straights). This is what coaches run this week. If anything further down the page differs, this plan wins.

Every day: 1 minute rest between rounds · partner A rule · risk list

Every round has 1 minute rest between.

If partner countering is not moving after their counter, or dropping their hands, partner A may throw punches to get them to defend or move.

Risk:

Partner slips too far (don't show your back)
Partner slips to inside without understanding risk of doing so
Partner steps when they slip
Partner pulls with chin in air
Partner steps back on pull and doesn't step back when they throw
Partner steps both feet back on pull
Partner parries too much (parry like you're swatting a fly, not a bird)
Partner parries with wrong hand (sets up feint/counter)

Reading the plan: “Rounds 1 and 2 (so 4 x 2m rounds total)” means each partner goes twice: 2 minutes per round, 1 person going at a time.

Monday Oct 5Mouthguards optionalParry and slip the jab, counter with 3 punches

Mouthguards: optional today. Live punches are thrown, but mouthguards aren't required.

Ryan's plan

Warm-up: 3 x 3m rounds of shadowboxing: incorporate Parries, slips off jab and counters to each

Day's work: Partner up with gloves on, 2m Rounds each. 1 person goes at a time:

Rounds 1 and 2 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws jab, Partner B parries jab and counters, starting with same side hand (2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Rounds 3 and 4 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws jab, Partner B parries jab and counters, starting with opposite side hand (2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Rounds 5 and 6 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws jab, Partner B slips jab and counters with same 3 punch counter as above, following methodology above
Rounds 7 and 8 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws jab, Partner B defends jab with slip or parry, countering with 3 punch combination

Finisher: No Finisher - should run until end of class

1 minute rest between every round.

60-second coach brief

TODAY WE ARE TEACHING

Defending the jab with a parry, then a slip, then either, and countering with a 3 punch combination (2 3 2 or 1 2 3).

WHY

Week 1 is straights, and the jab comes first. A small defense with an immediate 3 punch return is the base the rest of the week builds on. proposed

SAME SIDE vs OPPOSITE SIDE HAND

Ryan: this depends on the stance matchup, whether Partner B is in the same stance as Partner A or not (orthodox vs orthodox, or orthodox vs southpaw). “Same side hand” and “opposite side hand” describe the counter's starting hand relative to the partner's stance. Both combos, 2 3 2 or 1 2 3, are valid either way.

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT COACHING POINTS

Parry like you're swatting a fly, not a bird, and with the correct hand. The wrong hand sets up a feint/counter.
Slip small: don't show your back, don't step when you slip, and don't slip to the inside without understanding the risk.
After the counter, hands back to the face and move. If not, partner A may throw punches to get them to defend or move.

DO NOT ALLOW

Parrying too much. Parrying with the wrong hand. Slipping too far, or stepping when slipping. Standing still or dropping the hands after the counter.

IF ATHLETES STRUGGLE

Partner A slows the jab down. Keep the same 3 punch counter every rep so the defense is the only thing changing. proposed

IF ATHLETES ARE ADVANCED

Partner A varies the timing of the jab. The defender still finishes with hands at the face and moves. proposed

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A small parry or slip, an immediate 3 punch counter, hands back to the face, and movement after, with no reminder punches needed from partner A. proposed

After class: Post-Class Check-in

Tuesday Oct 6Mouthguards optionalRecap the jab, then slip and pull the cross, counter with 3 punches

Mouthguards: optional today. Live punches are thrown, but mouthguards aren't required.

Ryan's plan

Warm-up: 3 x 3m Bag Rounds, incorporating slips and pulls off cross and counters to each

Day's work: Partner up with gloves on, 2m Rounds each. 1 person goes at a time:

Rounds 1 and 2 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Recap of Monday – Partner A throws jab, Partner B parries or slips and counters with 3-punch counter (2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Rounds 3 and 4: New curriculum – Partner A throws cross, Partner B slips cross and counters, starting with same side hand (2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Rounds 5 and 6 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws cross, Partner B pulls cross and counters, starting with opposite side hand (2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Rounds 7 and 8 (so 4 x 2m rounds total): Partner A throws cross, Partner B defends cross with slip or pull, countering with 3 punch combination

Finisher: No Finisher - should run until end of class

1 minute rest between every round.

60-second coach brief

TODAY WE ARE TEACHING

A recap of Monday (parry or slip the jab), then defending the cross with a slip, then a pull, then either, and countering with a 3 punch combination (2 3 2 or 1 2 3).

WHY

The recap locks in Monday's jab defense before the new punch. The cross is the second straight, and the pull adds a second defense; both have to leave the boxer ready to counter immediately. proposed

SAME SIDE vs OPPOSITE SIDE HAND

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT COACHING POINTS

Slip small: don't show your back, don't step when you slip, and know the risk before slipping to the inside.
Pull with the chin down, not in the air. Don't step both feet back. If you step back on the pull, step back when you throw.
After the counter, hands back to the face and move. If not, partner A may throw punches to get them to defend or move.

DO NOT ALLOW

Pulling with the chin in the air. Stepping both feet back on the pull. Slipping too far, or stepping when slipping. Parrying too much or with the wrong hand in the recap. Dropping the hands after the counter.

IF ATHLETES STRUGGLE

Partner A slows the cross down. Keep the same 3 punch counter every rep so the defense is the only thing changing. proposed

IF ATHLETES ARE ADVANCED

Partner A varies the timing of the cross. In the last block the defender chooses slip or pull on reaction, not in advance. proposed

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Chin down on the pull, a small slip, an immediate 3 punch counter, and hands at the face with movement after. proposed

After class: Post-Class Check-in

Wednesday Oct 7Mouthguards requiredDefend the jab and the cross live, counter with 3 punches

Mouthguards: required today.

Ryan's plan

Warm-up: 3 x 3m rounds of Shadowboxing, incorporating learnings from Days 1 and 2

Day's work: Partner, Gloves, Mouthguards

Rounds 1 and 2: Defend Jab, counter with 3 punch combination
Rounds 3 and 4: Defend Cross, counter with 3 punch combination
Rounds 5 and 6: Defend jab or cross, countering with 3 punch combination
Rounds 7 until end of class: light, technical drilling where one person throws jab or cross, partner defends and counters back with jab or cross

1 minute rest between every round.

60-second coach brief

TODAY WE ARE TEACHING

Putting Monday and Tuesday together: defend the jab, then the cross, then either, and counter with a 3 punch combination. From Round 7, light technical drilling.

WHY

The defender no longer knows which straight is coming, so they have to read it before they defend. proposed

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT COACHING POINTS

Use the week's defenses without the risks: parry like you're swatting a fly, slip small, pull with the chin down.
After the counter, hands back to the face and move.
Round 7 to the end of class is light, technical drilling.

DO NOT ALLOW

Anything on the risk list: slipping too far, stepping on the slip, chin in the air on the pull, both feet back on the pull, parrying too much or with the wrong hand.

IF ATHLETES STRUGGLE

Go back to jab only or cross only for that pair. proposed

IF ATHLETES ARE ADVANCED

In Rounds 5 and 6 the thrower mixes the timing as well as the punch. proposed

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The defender picks the right defense for the punch that came and counters without hesitation. proposed

After class: Post-Class Check-in

Thursday Oct 8Mouthguards optionalSlip the jab and the cross on pads, counter 2 3 2 or 1 2 3

Mouthguards: optional today. Live punches are thrown, but mouthguards aren't required.

Ryan's plan

Warm-up: 3 x 3m Bag Rounds, freestyle, hopefully using what we learned from earlier in the week

Day's work: Partner and Pads, switching partners every round for 4 Rounds:

Round 1: Slip Jab, 2 3 2 or 1 2 3
Round 2: Slip cross, 2 3 2 or 1 2 3
Round 3-4: Slip Jab or Cross, 2 3 2 or 1 2 3
(More advanced boxers can freestyle between, or allow different 3-punch counter if they'd like. Beginners stick with 2 3 2 or 1 2 3)
Switch Pads and Partners

Finisher: Partner situps x 100 total

1 minute rest between every round.

60-second coach brief

TODAY WE ARE TEACHING

Slipping the jab, the cross, then either on pads, countering with 2 3 2 or 1 2 3. New partner every round.

WHY

After two days of partner work, pads let the boxer put speed and full shape on the slip and the counter. proposed

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT COACHING POINTS

Slip small: don't show your back, don't step when you slip, and know the risk before slipping to the inside.
Beginners stick with 2 3 2 or 1 2 3.
Hands back to the face after the counter.

DO NOT ALLOW

Slipping too far. Stepping when slipping. Slipping to the inside without understanding the risk.

IF ATHLETES STRUGGLE

The pad holder slows the feed, and the boxer stays on one punch longer before the Round 3-4 mix. proposed

IF ATHLETES ARE ADVANCED

More advanced boxers can freestyle between, or allow different 3-punch counter if they'd like.

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A small slip and a clean 2 3 2 or 1 2 3 on every feed, with every new partner. proposed

After class: Post-Class Check-in

Friday Oct 9Mouthguards required3:30, 4:30 and 6:30 spar; other classes defend the jab and cross on pads

Mouthguards: required today.

Ryan's plan

Warm-up: 10 minutes of 1s and 2s non-stop on the heavy bag

Sparring Classes (3:30, 4:30 and 6:30 PM): Gear up and start sparring

Non-Sparring Classes (12:00, 5:30 PM and any others): Partner and pads - same partner entire class. 2m rounds, 1 person going per round:

Round 1: person throwing jabs, other person just defending (no counter)
Round 2: person throwing cross, other person just defending (no counter)
Round 3: person throwing either jab or cross, other person just defending (no counter)
Round 4: person throwing either jab or cross, other person defending and countering with 3 punch counter (232 or 123)
Switch pads and partner

1 minute rest between every round.

60-second coach brief

TODAY WE ARE TEACHING

3:30, 4:30 and 6:30: sparring. 12:00, 5:30 and any other classes: defending the jab, the cross, then either with no counter, then defending and countering with a 3 punch counter (232 or 123).

WHY

Defense-only rounds make the defense the whole job, so coaches can see whether the week's slips, pulls and parries hold up. proposed

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT COACHING POINTS

Non-sparring Rounds 1-3: just defending, no counter.
Use the week's defenses without the risks: slip small, chin down on the pull, parry like you're swatting a fly.
Round 4: defend and counter with 3 punches, then hands back to the face.

DO NOT ALLOW

Countering in Rounds 1-3. Anything on the risk list.

IF ATHLETES STRUGGLE

The thrower slows down. In Round 3 the thrower can call jab or cross before throwing. proposed

IF ATHLETES ARE ADVANCED

In Round 4 the thrower varies the timing; the defender still finishes with hands at the face. proposed

SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Sparring classes: the week's defenses and 3 punch counters show up in sparring. Non-sparring classes: clean defense on every feed, with no counter in Rounds 1-3. proposed

After class: Post-Class Check-in

Ryan's plan is shown in his words, with formatting tidied. Items marked proposed are suggestions to help coaches; they are not from Ryan's plan and are awaiting his confirmation.

Monthly Intent

Theme: Counterpunching

Tactical story

Read the incoming punch family, defend with the smallest useful movement, return immediately to head or body, then exit before the exchange becomes a trade.

Coaching standard

The boxer should defend without panic, counter without reaching, keep eyes up, keep feet under the hips, and leave the line after scoring.

Fight-use rule

Do not memorize random answers. Recognize jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut, or rear uppercut, then choose one reliable counter and exit.

Counterpunching Key

Orthodox or mirrored for southpaw

Incoming punch	Primary defense	Curriculum use	Main risk
All punches	Return the defending and countering hands to the face	Every week: recover to guard immediately after the counter, before exiting or continuing.	Leaving the countering hand away from the face exposes the boxer to the opponent's response counter.
Jab	Catch, parry, or small outside slip	Week 1 Monday: counter to head or body after taking away the jab.	Reaching for the parry and opening the chin.
Cross	Slip outside, catch on guard, or step off line	Week 1 Tuesday: counter to head or body after the rear hand misses or lands safely on guard.	Over-slipping and losing the ability to punch back.
Lead or rear hook	High guard block, elbow catch, roll, or step back	Week 2: protect the side of the head or body, return short, and exit the pocket.	Turning away from the hook and losing vision.
Lead or rear uppercut to head	Step back, frame, catch on guard, or pivot off	Week 3: avoid dipping into the punch, create space, counter, and leave. No body uppercut feeds this month.	Bending at the waist and feeding the uppercut.

Monthly Phase Build

Recognition before reaction

1. Identify

Find the lead shoulder, rear shoulder, punch path, and level. The boxer should know what is coming before choosing a counter.

2. Defend

Use the smallest defense that solves the punch: catch, parry, slip, roll, frame, step back, or pivot.

3. Counter

Return one or two punches immediately. Counters can go to head or body, but balance decides whether the counter counts.

4. Exit

Leave on a step, pivot, angle, or reset. The exit is part of the counter, not an optional add-on.

5. Re-test

Run the same counter against both stances. Advanced groups can have the feeder switch stance midway through the round.

Core coaching challenge

If this month becomes a list of counters, students will guess. The real skill is recognizing the punch, defending safely, returning on time, and exiting before the next punch arrives.

Do not let students trade instead of counterpunch.
Every countering hand returns to the face immediately; a hand left out invites the response counter.
Do not let body counters turn into reaching or dipping.
Do not add stance switching until the base counter is stable.
Do not score a counter if the boxer cannot exit after it.

Weekly Curriculum

October progression

Background. This is the month-level outline. For Week 1 (Oct 5–9), follow This Week: Ryan's published Week 1 plan replaces the Week 1 details below wherever they differ.

Oct 5–9: replaced by This Week

Week 1: Countering straight punches

Monday counters the jab to head and body. Tuesday counters the cross to head and body. Wednesday drills recognition. Thursday lets the partner choose jab or cross. Friday uses technical application at 12:00 and 5:30; the remaining Friday sessions apply it in focused sparring.

Success cue: small defense, immediate counter, clean exit.
Advanced layer: feeder switches stance midway after the base round is stable.

Week 2: Countering hooks

Monday replaces jab with lead hook to head and body. Tuesday replaces cross with rear hook to head and body. Wednesday drills the counter. Thursday is partner's choice between lead and rear hook. Friday technical classes rehearse hook counters and exits before the sparring sessions test them.

Success cue: block, catch, roll, or step back without turning away.
Safety note: body hooks are controlled touch in drills.

Week 3: Countering uppercuts

Monday replaces hooks with lead uppercut to the head. Tuesday uses rear uppercut to the head. Wednesday drills uppercut recognition. Thursday is partner's choice between lead and rear uppercut. Friday technical classes rehearse safe close-range reads; the sparring sessions reward calm exits.

Success cue: create space or frame before countering.
Safety note: no body uppercuts, no dipping into uppercuts; eyes stay up.

Week 4: Coach's choice

The coach chooses any punch from the month for the partner to throw slowly. The boxer must recognize the punch, defend, counter to head or body, and exit. Increase realism only after the correct read is consistent.

Success cue: no coach hint needed before the counter.
Friday focus: technical scorecards at 12:00 and 5:30; focused sparring at 3:30, 4:30, and 6:30.

Daily Progression

Monday to Friday

Background. These are the general day roles for the month. During Week 1 (Oct 5–9), the day-by-day plans in This Week replace these day roles and warm-ups wherever they differ. In Week 1, 12:00 and 5:30 PM use the same structure as every other class, and mouthguards are optional Mon, Tue and Thu and required Wed and Fri.

Monday

Lead-side punch

Warm-up: Monday/Thursday standard
Week 1: counter jab to head/body
Week 2: counter lead hook to head/body
Week 3: counter lead uppercut to head only
Week 4: coach's choice, slow lead-side feeds

Tuesday

Rear-side punch

Warm-up: Tuesday unique
Week 1: counter cross to head/body
Week 2: counter rear hook to head/body
Week 3: counter rear uppercut to head only
Week 4: coach's choice, slow rear-side feeds

Wednesday

Drill the counter

Warm-up: Wednesday/Friday standard
No pads; mouthguards in
Fixed punch first, then partner choice
Score correct defense, counter, and exit

Thursday

Partner's choice

Warm-up: Monday/Thursday standard
Partner chooses either punch from that week
Counter to head or body
No new punch family added late in the week

Friday

Technical class or focused sparring

Warm-up: Wednesday/Friday standard
12:00 and 5:30 PM are technical application classes
3:30, 4:30, and 6:30 PM use focused sparring
Technical classes: review both weekly reads, rotate through fixed-feed and partner-choice stations, then finish with scored touch-speed rounds.

Class Structure Example

60-minute counterpunching class

Background. These are example structures. For Week 1 (Oct 5–9), run the round-by-round plans in This Week instead, including the Week 1 live drilling and sparring. In Week 1, every class (12:00 and 5:30 PM included) uses that same structure. Mouthguards are optional Mon, Tue and Thu and required Wed and Fri.

Choose the structure that fits the class size and experience level. Use the efficient technical format for a tighter teaching lane, or add rotations and a second decision only after the base counter is stable.

Efficient technical class

Minutes	Block	Purpose
0-8	Warm-up	Use the day's standard warm-up; finish with the defensive shape and exit step.
8-16	Shadowbox	Rehearse trigger, smallest defense, one counter, and clean exit.
16-28	Teach	Install one primary counter and one alternate target without adding a new punch family.
28-43	Pads	Fixed feed first, then a two-choice read. Reset after every counter and exit.
43-55	Application	Use controlled partner drilling. Wednesday and Friday require mouthguards; Friday is not sparring.
55-60	Review	Score recognition, defense, immediate return, balance, and exit.

Technical class with rotations

Minutes	Block	Purpose
0-10	Warm-up	Use the day's standard warm-up with partner mirroring and reaction cues.
10-18	Shadowbox	Build the trigger-defense-counter-exit sequence at controlled pace.
18-30	Teach	Install the primary answer, then add one alternate only when stance and balance hold.
30-44	Stations	Rotate pads, heavy bag, and partner-read stations so every boxer gets decision reps.
44-56	Application	Progress fixed feed to partner choice. Advanced boxers may add stance switching after clean base rounds.
56-60	Review	Coach one correction per boxer and identify the next class's carryover.

Day	Required technical emphasis	Application rule
Monday	Recognize and counter the week's lead-side punch.	One fixed feed, one primary counter, then exit.
Tuesday	Recognize and counter the week's rear-side punch.	Keep the defense small enough to return immediately.
Wednesday	Combine Monday and Tuesday in live drilling.	Mouthguards in, no pads; fixed feed before partner choice.
Thursday	Polish both reads on pads.	Add only target choice or exit choice, not a new punch family.
Friday	Technical application, focused sparring, and repair.	Use touch-speed partner choice before focused sparring; score the full read-to-exit sequence.

Live Drilling / Sparring Examples

Use these examples inside either class structure above. Begin with controlled live drilling, then use the same feed choices as focused-sparring constraints when the group is ready. Mouthguards are required for partner work, contact stays controlled, and speed increases only after clean reads.

Week	Fixed-feed build	Live drill / sparring constraint	Success standard
1: Straights	Feeder gives jab or cross to head or body. Boxer uses catch, parry, slip, guard, or step off line; returns the assigned one- or two-punch counter and exits.	Three 2-minute rounds: jab only, cross only, then either straight. Switch stance only after the base reads are clean.	Correctly identify 4 of 5 feeds, counter immediately, and finish outside the return line.
2: Hooks	Feeder gives lead or rear hook to head or body at controlled touch. Boxer blocks, elbow-catches, rolls, or steps back; returns 2-3 or 3-2 and exits.	Three 2-minute rounds: lead hook only, rear hook only, then either hook and either level. Reset after every exchange.	No turning away; blocking hand returns to the face; 4 of 5 counters finish in stance.
3: Uppercuts	Feeder gives lead or rear uppercut to the head only. Boxer frames, catches on guard, steps back, or pivots off; creates space, returns 2-3 or 3-2, and exits.	Three 2-minute rounds: lead uppercut only, rear uppercut only, then either uppercut. No body-uppercut feeds.	Eyes stay up, boxer does not dip into the punch, and 4 of 5 exchanges end at safe range.
4: Retention test	Coach selects one punch family at a time from Weeks 1-3. Boxer identifies the punch and level, chooses the smallest defense, returns one or two punches, and exits.	Three 2-minute rounds: straight-or-hook, hook-or-uppercut, then any punch taught this month. Coach scores read, defense, counter, exit, and control.	At least 8 of 10 correct reads with no hint and no repeated safety error.

Drill Bank

Pads, gloves, belly shields, med balls, donuts, heavy bags

A drill bank is a menu of ready-to-run training formats. Choose the drill that best teaches, constrains, or tests the week's counterpunching focus for the class in front of you.

Read and tax

Feeder throws the assigned punch slowly. Boxer defends, lands one counter to head or body, and exits.

Head or body call

Coach calls head or body after the defense. Boxer chooses the correct level without reaching or dropping eyes.

Two-lane counter

One lane is head counter, one lane is body counter. Boxing donuts mark where the boxer exits after scoring.

Stance switch read

Advanced feeder switches stance midway. Boxer pauses, finds the lead shoulder, then counters the next feed.

Heavy bag counter rhythm

Shadow the defense, touch the counter on the bag, then exit. Three clean reps and reset.

Belly shield level change

Use the belly shield for body counters. Boxer changes level with the legs and keeps eyes up.

One-for-one live cue

Partner throws one assigned punch at touch speed. Defender counters once or twice and exits.

Scorecard sparring

Coach scores correct read, appropriate defense, immediate counter, clean exit, and contact control.