Choose your punches by range

Choose your punches by range: how to do it

1. From long to mid range, throw mainly straight punches: the left jab and the right cross.
2. As the distance to the opponent closes, check whether you still have room to extend a straight punch.
3. Once you're too close to fully extend your arm, switch to hooks and uppercuts.
4. At close range, use the twist of your hips and upper body to punch from the side and from below.

Choose your punches by range: key points

• Decide your main punches for each range: straight punches from long to mid, hooks and uppercuts up close.
• Try to throw a straight punch at close range and it hits the opponent before your arm extends, so the path gets jammed.
• At close range, switch to paths from the side and from below that let you use your body's twist.

Choose your punches by range: common mistakes

• You keep throwing straight punches even at close range. Then your arm can't fully extend and you get punches that only push.
• You swing hooks and uppercuts from long range. Then they fall short, you miss, and you leave a big opening as you finish.

Choose your punches by range: how to practice

• In shadowboxing, repeat a flow of one-twos from a distance, then switching to hooks and uppercuts when you move forward and get close.
• On the heavy bag, throw straight punches from a distance, then move in and switch to hooks and uppercuts.

Related techniques

• Know your range
  Your range
• One-two (jab, cross)
  12
• Jab, cross, left body hook, right uppercut
  123b6
• Left uppercut and left hook from the same start
  53
• Don't turn the fist over at close range
  Don't turn fist
• Step one fist deeper than on the mitts
  One fist