# Archie Moore’s Crossed Guard - Link: https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/ - Published: 2020-01-13T10:00:00-05:00 - Author: Brian Johns Recently, I came across a fantastic YouTube channel called [The Modern Martial Artist](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1MHbPo9A_TcNH0fZ7ezARw). This channel has tons of videos analyzing many boxers and martial artists. The technical breakdowns are often superb. I have found [several videos](https://brianejohns.com/2023/11/03/friday-recommendation-21/) explaining techniques that are amazingly similar to martial arts that I’ve studied. One of them concerns Archie Moore’s crossed guard. If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/-dnvBsqm6pE) ## In watching this video, it is apparent that Moore’s crossed guard is eerily similar to the beginnings of the down block that you see in many martial arts styles, notably karate. One could argue that it is also identical to the midpoint of the double sinawali drill. ![](https://i0.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Screen- Shot-2019-12-29-at-8.00.49-PM.png?fit=1024%2C728&ssl=1) **See 1:16 of the above video.** In the picture above, Moore’s right hand has crossed his centerline and is chambered by his left shoulder. His left/lead hand is around his waist and at his centerline. ![](https://i0.wp.com/bamboospiritmartialarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Screen- Shot-2019-12-29-at-7.59.29-PM.png?fit=1024%2C769&ssl=1) **Freeze frame of a double sinawali demonstration. Doesn’t it look like the down block?** There are some differences between Moore and the martial arts version of this position. First, Moore bends his lower arm and positions it closer to his centerline. Second, Moore is slightly bent forward at the waist for defensive purposes. I first saw the crossed guard position when [George Foreman](https://brianejohns.com/2025/03/31/rip-george-foreman/) relaunched his boxing career in 1987 after a ten-year layoff. It seemed so unconventional but amazingly effective for him. Then I learned that Archie Moore is considered by many to be the original creator of this defensive style. See the video below: The video shows different boxers using the crossed guard in different ways. At the 0:22 mark, Gene Fullmer, a middleweight, raised his arms in the crossed position to protect his head. Forward to the 0:35 mark. Here, Ken Norton, a feared heavyweight in the 1970s, used his right hand to parry Larry Holmes’ jab. Very effective. At the 1:09 to the 1:14 mark, Gene Fullmer (in white trunks) uses the crossed guard to protect his midsection. ## In these examples, a boxer can raise the crossed guard up or down to defend the head or midsection. It appears to be an active defensive posture. I think the crossed guard is particularly advantageous for those who are older or not as mobile as they were in their younger days. A downside that I can see is that the crossed guard may slow down or hinder the defender’s counter-attack. On the other hand, it is nearly impossible to catch EVERY attack and counter. The traditional teaching methodology in many martial arts schools is Person A attacks, and then Person B defends and counters. There is a small problem with this methodology. It assumes that the defender will be able to see, defend, and respond to an attack without suffering any damage. I think there is a place for defensive shells/postures like the above that allow a defender to wear down the attacker before responding. There are many situations where a defensive shell or posture may not be appropriate. I wouldn’t use this against a knife attack, for example. Different situations call for different tactics. Applications for the down block include parrying, breaking, joint locks, and takedowns. The video below provides an excellent compilation of techniques based on the down block. I love kata applications as much as anyone. Note, though, that the two karatekas performed many of the bunkai against incoming attacks. Success occurs every time! Is that realistic? There is no exploration of whether the down block can be used as a defensive posture/shell. If you were to freeze the down block midpoint and make some minor adjustments, you have the crossed guard. One can argue that this can be an application of the down block. The similarity between Moore’s crossed guard and the midpoint of the karate down block or double sinawali fascinates me. I think that this is an area worth exploring. ## Over to you, what do you think? ## Additional Reading * [Video of the Week 3: Martial Arts Footwork Rules](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/11/video-of-the-week-3-footwork-rules/) * [The Age of Open Source Information](https://brianejohns.com/2022/05/04/blog-the-age-of-open-source-information/) * [Video of the Week 2: Footwork](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/04/video-of-the-week-2-footwork/) * [Stop Judging Yourself!](https://brianejohns.com/2016/09/19/blog-stop-judging-yourself/) * [Defending Against Angle 12](https://brianejohns.com/2015/08/03/blog-defending-against-angle-12/) ### Share this post: * [ X ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?share=twitter) * [ Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?share=linkedin) * [ Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?share=threads) * [ WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Archie%20Moore%27s%20Crossed%20Guard&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2020%2F01%2F13%2Fblog-archie-moore%2F&share=email) * [ Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/#print?share=print) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_