Fundamentals
Textbook form alone won't land
Throw through
If you only punch cleanly by the book, you only show movements the opponent already knows. They just have to wait for the path they expect, so your punches land less. So now and then, mix in punches where you throw through with exaggerated movement to land. This is about how to break the basics to land, once the basics are solid.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Textbook form alone won't land: how to do it
- Normally, punch with basic form.
- Now and then, mix in a punch you throw all the way through with exaggerated movement to land.
- Mix basic form and throwing through so the opponent has a hard time reading your punch paths.
Textbook form alone won't land: key points
- If you only trace your form cleanly, you only show movements the opponent knows. Movements they know, they can avoid.
- Now and then, go big and throw through to land. In this shot, landing comes before whether the form looks clean.
Textbook form alone won't land: common mistakes
- Punching with only clean form in mind. Your path gets read and the punch gets handled with a block or by evading.
- Throwing nothing but throw-through punches. Your basic form stays broken and you leave openings at the end of your punches.
Textbook form alone won't land: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, keep throwing combinations with basic form, and now and then put in an exaggerated punch you throw all the way through.
- On the heavy bag, mix in single shots where you forget about form and throw through to land. Check that you get back to your guard after throwing through.
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.