Partnerwork is the cooperative practice of boxing techniques or combinations between partners. The purpose of partnerwork is to give participants a glimpse into sparring without the risks of injury, allowing them to work at a pace suitable for learning and adjustment. Partnerwork differs from sparring in that it is much lighter, slower, and more specific. It also typically requires less protective equipment.

The basic challenge for each participant during partnerwork is clarity about the task at hand. Confusion mainly comes from the coach setting tasks that are too complicated to begin with. As a rule of thumb it is always best to begin with basics and add other techniques later.

Below are two types of partner drills with specific examples and extended versions:

1. Person A does X, then Person B does Y.

In this type of drill, the focus is on one person. While that person throws the punches, the other person catches them. For example, if Person A throws a left-hand punch, then Person B would catch the punch with the palm of the right hand.

Examples:

• A jabs,
  then B jabs.

• A does a jab-cross,
  then B does a jab-cross.

• A does a jab-cross-hook,
  then B does a cross-hook-cross

Extended version:

A does X, then B does Y, then A does Z…

• A jabs,
  then B jabs,
  then A does a jab-cross.

• A does a jab-cross,
  then B does a jab-cross,
  then A does a jab-cross-hook.

• A does a jab-cross-hook,
  then B does a cross-hook-cross,
  then A does a double jab-cross.

2. Person A does X while Person B does Y.

In this type of drill, the focus is on both participants together. While one person is throwing the punches, the other person is defending with blocks or head movement. For obvious reasons, no power is applied to the punches at all.

Examples:

• A jabs
  while B slips.

• A does a jab-cross
  while B does block-block.

• A does a jab-cross-hook
  while B does slip-slip-roll.

Extended version:

A does X while B does Y,
then B does X while A does Y…

• A jabs
  while B slips,
  then B jabs
  while A slips.

• A does a jab-cross
  while B does a slip-slip,
  then B does a jab-cross,
  while A does a slip-slip.

• A does a jab-cross-hook
  while B does a slip-slip-roll,
  then B does a cross-hook-cross,
  while A does a block-roll-block.

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