Cover (combat technique) facts for kids

Cover during a jab in lethwei

In combat sports like fencing, boxing, karate, etc., the cover is a defensive movement permitting to protect oneself against strikes by placing a weapon or a body part like the fist, forearm, elbow, arm or shoulder before the aim aimed by this attack.

This form of defence, so-called "passive", is different from the block or parry that are considered "active". The cover has nearly the same meaning as "protection" especially in boxing when a fighter raises his arm in order to protect his face or head against a possible attack.

One puts cover to use:

• in expecting way in case of the opponent's attack, especially in order to protect his or her own forward movement (example: raising the shoulder before the jaw, covering oneself with the arm and the glove)
• in instantaneous (i.e. happening at once) way when the opponent's attack is launched.

In boxing and boxe pieds-poings

The cover in boxing is a form of defence commonly used in the hand-to-hand situations and when the fighter suffers by a large number of strikes.

• 

  Side cover by the glove during an attack of roundhouse kick

• 

  Side cover by the arm and the glove during an attack of crescent kick

• 

  Cover so-called "roof of the house" during an attack of overcut

• 

  Cover by the shoulder during an attack of cross of the rear arm