FundamentalsNEW
Tap the guard to freeze their feet
Tap the guard
Hitting on top of the guard isn't for landing and knocking them down. It's for stopping the opponent's feet and seeing how they react. Use it early on, when you go first to take control. Once their guard tightens, follow on the open side. Hit up top to draw their attention up and the body opens. Go to the body and the head opens.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Goals | Setup-and-Power Techniques, Techniques Off the Jab |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Tap the guard to freeze their feet: how to do it
- Land a left jab or a one-two lightly on top of the opponent's guard.
- Watch their feet stop and their guard tighten.
- If they tighten up top, go to the stomach. If they protect the stomach, go up top. Follow on whichever side opens.
Tap the guard to freeze their feet: key points
- Tap lightly. If touching the top of the guard stops their feet, that's enough.
- Use it as a punch to see how the opponent defends. Pick your power punch once you know how they react.
- Show high and go low, show low and go high. Don't keep tapping at the same height.
Tap the guard to freeze their feet: common mistakes
- Hitting the guard too hard. Your body drifts forward and it doesn't link to the next punch.
- Stopping at the tap. The opponent only stops their feet for a moment and resets right away.
- Tapping only at the same height and on the same side. The opponent gets used to it and their feet don't stop.
Tap the guard to freeze their feet: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, throw two light taps on the guard, then follow with one to the stomach. Repeat the flow.
- On the heavy bag, tap lightly at head height as if just touching it, then hit hard at stomach height, varying both power and height.
Related techniques
By goalSetup-and-Power TechniquesTechniques Off the Jab
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.