Fundamentals
Step one fist deeper than on the mitts
One fist
The distance that feels just right on the mitts is a little short against a real person's face. Punch from there and your fist falls short and you only lose your posture. When you punch at a person, such as in sparring, step in one fist deeper than on the mitts. It's a way of shifting the sense of distance you learned on the mitts slightly forward for punching at people.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Goals | Range Control Techniques |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Step one fist deeper than on the mitts: how to do it
- In your guard, check the distance you usually punch from on the mitts.
- When you punch at a person, bring your front foot a little further forward from there to get one fist deeper.
- Punch as your front foot lands, and keep your upper body where it is in your guard.
- When you finish, bring your weight back to the middle, then either reset the distance or move on to your next action.
Step one fist deeper than on the mitts: key points
- Go at a person with your mitt distance and your fist stops just short of their face. The spot that reaches is one fist further in.
- Get the extra depth with your feet, not by reaching with your arm. Lunging with your upper body to reach breaks your posture.
- Go only one fist deeper. Close in more than that and you're also deep in their range.
Step one fist deeper than on the mitts: common mistakes
- You punch from the same spot as on the mitts. Then your fist stops short of their face, and even if you think it landed, the power doesn't get through.
- You tip your upper body forward to reach instead of moving your feet. Then your head comes forward and you're slow getting back to your guard as you finish.
- You go in too deep. Then you get too close and your straight punches get jammed before they fully extend.
Step one fist deeper than on the mitts: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, use a mark on the floor as a reference and repeat stepping in one fist further than your usual spot and punching.
- On the heavy bag, punch once from your usual distance to learn how it lands, then step one fist deeper and punch, and compare how far your fist sinks in.
Related techniques
By goalRange Control 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.