Defense and footwork
Head off line (in simultaneous exchanges)
Head off line
FlowHead off line
Moving your head off line is a defense for when you and the opponent punch at the same time: you move your head slightly off the punch's path. Don't insist on avoiding the punch completely. Keep your chin tucked so that if it does land, it lands on the front of your face, not the point of your chin. It assumes you keep throwing your own punch while you use it, rather than only defending.
| Type | Defense and footwork |
|---|---|
| Footwork and defense | Head off line |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Head off line (in simultaneous exchanges): step by step
- Tuck your chin and hold your stance without taking your eyes off the opponent's punch.
- Watch the line the punch is coming on and move your head slightly outside it.
- If you can't get fully out of the way, keep the point of your chin out of it and take the punch on the front of your face.
- With your eyes open, finish your own punch.
Head off line (in simultaneous exchanges): key points
- Tucking your chin comes first. Moving your head off line is a small movement you add on top of that.
- Be ready to take it on the hard front of your face. Because you don't rely too much on getting out of the way, your posture for throwing your own punch holds.
- Keeping your eyes on the punch is a must. If you can't see it, you can't decide which way to move.
Head off line (in simultaneous exchanges): common mistakes
- Moving your head with your chin up. A punch you don't fully avoid lands on your chin.
- Closing your eyes or turning your face away as the punch comes. You can't see its path and you move the wrong way.
- Trying to move far off line. Your own punch goes off target too, and you're the first to break down in the exchange.
Head off line (in simultaneous exchanges): how to practice
- In shadowboxing, picture the opponent's jab, tuck your chin, and throw a left jab while moving your head slightly off line. Repeat the flow.
- In front of a mirror, check that your eyes stay forward even when you move your head off line.
- On the heavy bag, shift your head a little off the line each time you punch, and check that your chin isn't coming up.
Combinations that use this move
Related techniques
Left and right are written for orthodox (left foot forward). If you're southpaw, swap left and right as you read. How to read the notation
This is Japanese-style boxing: techniques as taught at a boxing gym in Japan. American or Mexican coaches may teach some of them differently.