Japanese-Style Boxing Angle Techniques

Footwork for getting off the opponent's front and taking an angle, and the attacks that follow. 13 techniques

• One-two, slip out to the side
  12Slip
  One-two, slip out to the side is a way to finish a one-two: instead of staying in front of the opponent, you move to the side. The end of your punches is when the opponent tends to return a left jab, and if you're still in front of them, you're an easy target. So you step your right foot out, change position with your whole body, and get off the line of the returning jab.
• One-two and pivot
  12Pivot
  In the one-two and pivot, after throwing the one-two you turn your body on your front foot and move off the opponent's front. You punch at long range, where your arms extend the most, as if pushing the opponent away, and in the same flow you take an angle to the side. The opponent can't throw the next punch until they turn to face you, so they're one move behind on both offense and defense.
• One-two-one with an angled step-in
  12Angled step-in1
  The one-two-one with an angled step-in is a combination where, after the one-two, you step in at an angle to your front left at the same moment you throw the third punch, a left jab. You come off the opponent's front line as you punch, so their return is harder to land and you end up at an angle that makes your next attack easier. It only becomes this technique when the step and the jab happen exactly together.
• One-two-hook, then pivot
  123Pivot
  One-two-hook, then pivot is a combination where you throw a left jab, right cross and left hook, then pivot to change the direction you're facing and get off the opponent's front. If you stay in front of them when you finish punching, you're right where their counter comes straight at you. Add footwork to the end of your attack and leave that spot at an angle.
• L-step, then one-two
  L-step12
  L-step, then one-two means quickly pulling your front foot in near your back foot at close range, then moving out to the left so your feet trace an L, and throwing a one-two from the new position. You take a spot the opponent can't easily see, such as right beside them or toward their back, before you punch. Use it as a way out of standing square and trading punches face to face.
• Angled step-in with a right cross to the body
  1Angled step-inPivot2b
  The angled step-in with a right cross to the body is a technique where you draw the opponent's attention to their head (up high) with a left jab while stepping your left foot in at an angle, then pivot around to their side and throw a right cross to the body. The outside of the opponent's right arm is a weakly guarded spot, so it's easier to land than punching from straight in front. It's also good practice for combining footwork with punching.
• One-two-hook, side step, one-two
  123Side step12
  One-two-hook, side step, one-two is a combination where a one-two-hook (jab, cross, left hook) pins the opponent in place, you move to the side with a side step, and then you drive in the power one-two. While the opponent stays facing forward and stopped, only you move and change the angle. Punching before they turn to face you lets you avoid a head-on exchange.
• Pivot
  Pivot
  A pivot is footwork where you turn your body around your pivot foot and get off the opponent's front. You keep a stance you can punch from, while only the opponent has to take the time to turn and face you. Add it as a set at the end of an attack, as footwork to get off the line of the opponent's counter after you finish punching.
• Angled step-in
  Angled step-in
  The angled step-in is how you step in when you close the distance to attack. By stepping in at an angle instead of straight to the side, you get closer while getting off the opponent's front. Use it together with a pawing jab: after the step, turn slightly to rebuild your stance, then throw the power punch as you turn back to face the opponent.
• Side step
  Side step
  The side step is footwork where you move straight to the side, changing where you stand and where your head is at the same time. You use it for defense and repositioning, such as shifting to the side after a slip or a step back, or making an angle to get off the ropes. Don't use it to go in on the attack. For that, step in at an angle.
• L-step
  L-step
  The L-step is close-range footwork where you pull your front foot back toward your back foot and then move out to the side, tracing an L on the floor. You use it to get around beside or behind the opponent. It puts you in a position where only you can punch before the opponent turns to face you, so you go straight into your attack from there.
• Step back, show your guard, then move sideways
  Step backGuardSide step
  Step back, show your guard, then move sideways is a sequence where you show your guard right after backing up to take away the opponent's urge to chase, then move to the side to gain distance. If you only step back, an opponent who follows you just closes the gap again. Showing your guard before you move sideways lets you change position safely without taking a follow-up attack.
• Cut off the ring
  Cut off
  When you go after an opponent, don't follow from behind. Close off their escape route first. With fewer ways out, the opponent is kept busy defending and evading and can't keep up with your attack. Drive them toward the narrow side, such as the ropes or a corner, and use your positioning to set up a situation where you can punch easily.