Fundamentals
Don't telegraph
Wind-up
Telegraphing is the prep movement that shows just before you punch: giveaways such as pulling your shoulder back or shifting your weight to one side. The bigger the giveaway, the more easily the opponent reads when you're about to punch and stops it. Keep your start compact and put your step-in momentum straight into the punch, and you can punch while hiding the signs.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Don't telegraph: how to do it
- From your guard, get the feel of sending your fist straight out without pulling your shoulder back.
- Start the punch with your weight between your feet, and don't shift onto one foot before you punch.
- Punch the moment your front foot lands, putting the momentum of the step-in straight into the punch.
- After you punch, return to your guard and start the next punch just as small.
Don't telegraph: key points
- The bigger the giveaways, like pulling your shoulder back or shifting your weight to one side, the more easily they read the moment you punch.
- Using your step-in momentum for the punch removes the need to pull your shoulder back to load up power, so the start stays hidden.
- Rather than winding up to hit hard, send your fist out by the shortest path from your guard.
Don't telegraph: common mistakes
- You pull your shoulder back before punching to hit hard. Then they see it start and meet it with a block or a counter.
- You shift your weight onto your front or back foot before punching. Then the shift becomes a signal and they read when you'll punch.
- Your step-in and your punch come apart. Then there's a gap between stepping in and punching, and they react in that gap.
Don't telegraph: how to practice
- Shadowbox in front of a mirror and check that your shoulder or head doesn't move back just before you punch.
- Film your shadowboxing, watch it back, and look for extra movements that show before your punches.
- On the heavy bag, alternate single punches from your guard without pulling your shoulder back and single punches timed to your front foot landing on a step-in, keeping the start equally small.
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.