Japanese Boxing Punch Numbers: How to Read the Notation
This site writes combinations as a sequence of numbers. It works the same way as calling "one-two" or "one-two-three" on the mitts: each number is one punch.
Numbers are punches
Odd numbers are the lead hand and even numbers are the rear hand. Lead-hand chips are white and rear-hand chips are dark. A b after the number means a punch to the body.
| Head | Body | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1Left jab | Left jab | 1bLeft body jab | Left body jab |
2Right cross | Right cross | 2bRight body cross | Right body cross |
3Left hook | Left hook | 3bLeft body hook | Left body hook |
4Right hook | Right hook | 4bRight body hook | Right body hook |
5Left uppercut | Left uppercut | 5bLeft body uppercut | Left body uppercut |
6Right uppercut | Right uppercut | 6bRight body uppercut | Right body uppercut |
Light = setup punch
Light-colored chips are punches thrown lightly to move the opponent's guard. They come before the power punch. The dark one is the power punch.
Dotted = footwork and defense
Dotted boxes are moves other than punches. Footwork and defense such as stepping back or slipping, and timing such as "Read" or "Load", are listed as part of the flow.
+ = at the same time
Two moves joined by + happen at the same time, not one after the other. The example below is a simultaneous counter: you parry the opponent's jab while throwing your own left jab.
Left, right and southpaw
Left and right are always written for orthodox (left hand and left foot forward). If you're southpaw, swap left and right as you read. The numbers work as they are (odd is the lead hand, even is the rear hand).