Fundamentals
Keep your left hand up
Left hand up
Your left hand is the one that tends to drop as the rounds go on and you get tired, or when you tense up. If it drops too far, you can't both watch the opponent and protect your face. But hold it too high and it blocks your view, so find the height where you can see them and still protect your face, and keep it there at all times.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Keep your left hand up: how to do it
- Once you're in your guard, set your left hand at a height where you can see the opponent and still protect your face.
- After punching or moving, check the height of your left hand and bring it back.
- When you start to feel tired, fix the position of your left hand first.
Keep your left hand up: key points
- The main causes of a dropping left hand are fatigue and tension.
- Too high and it blocks your view. Too low and your face is open. Set it at a height that lets you both see and protect.
- Forcing it up with effort actually tires you and makes it drop. Relax and just keep the height.
Keep your left hand up: common mistakes
- Your left hand drops little by little in the second half of the round. Then the left side of your face opens up and you're more likely to take their right.
- You raise your left hand right in front of your eyes to protect your face. Then you can't see their punches start.
Keep your left hand up: how to practice
- Partway through shadowboxing, stop now and then and check the height of your left hand in a mirror.
- On the heavy bag, the more tired you get late in the round, the more attention you pay to the height of your left hand as each punch finishes.
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.