The Techtionary: Your Ultimate Guide to Boxing Techniques and Terminology
Most recreational boxers know only a handful of techniques and eventually reach a point in their training where both their progress and their enjoyment is limited. Furthermore, there seems to be a gap in the boxing world in that no source seems to provide a reference for boxing techniques. What is needed is a kind of dictionary or glossary of boxing terms, specifically focusing on technique.
This post is my attempt at creating such a reference.
A
Adjustment - A change in boxing style according to the weaknesses of the opponent.
Ali Shuffle - Muhammad Ali’s technique of rapid footwork, intended to confuse, distract or demoralize an opponent.
Anchor Punch - Muhammad Ali’s technique of leaning back before throwing a punch with the rear hand.
Angled Punch - A straight punch thrown at a 90-degree angle.
Also see: Official Boxing Gods, 2016. Young Mike Tyson at 16 Talks Trains with Cus D'amato Rare Video. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARah8dYCP0g> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
B
Bait - Lowering the guard to invite an attack in preparation for a counter. Also see: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing
Blind - A jab that obstructs the opponent’s vision.
Also see: McLeod Scott Boxing, 2020. 27 Traps & Tricks in Boxing | McLeod Scott Boxing. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3BoZmTgYA> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Block - The obstruction of a punch.
Also see: International Boxing Association (AIBA), 2018. Coaches - AIBA. [online] AIBA. Available at: <https://www.aiba.org/coaches2020/> [Accessed 13 October 2021]
Bob - Avoiding a punch by ducking.
Body Shot - A punch aimed at the front or sides of the torso.
Bolo Punch - An uppercut thrown in an exaggerated arc.
Bounce - A small jump.
Brawl - Fighting without concern for technique.
Break - Separating from a clinch.
Breaking Rhythm - A surprise attack after synchronising with the opponent.
Also see: Lee, B., 1975. Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Black Belt Communications.
Bump - To slip a punch and then skip to a new angle.
C
Catch - The obstruction of a straight punch with the palm.
Also see: Coach Anthony, 2015. Boxing | How To Do Basic Boxing Defense | Coach Anthony Boxing. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFMWgifW1Wo&t=3s> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Check-Hook - To hook and pivot at the same time.
Also see: Coach Anthony, 2020. How to do the Russian Check / Cuban Check { Great technique }. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT39eUWfdm0> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Clam Shell - To cover up in defence as much as possible without fighting back.
Clean Punches - Punches that land on the front or sides of the opponent’s head or body without being obstructed.
Clinch - To grapple the opponent at close range.
Close the Distance - To approach the opponent in order to box at close range.
Combination Fighter - A style based on throwing pre-set combinations as opposed to precise single punches.
Control - To influence the opponent’s behaviour, typically by stopping them from doing something.
Corkscrew Punch - Punching with an extra rotation of the wrist.
Counter Punch - A punch thrown in return to one received.
Counter Puncher - A style based on defending against punches before attacking.
Cover - To guard the head and body as much as possible.
Cross - A straight punch with the rear hand.
Cross Guard - A stance whereby the lead arm protects the body, and the rear arm protects the head.
Also see: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing.
And: Van V, J., 2019. Boxing the Cross Arm Guard. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0GDYGL-zlU> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Crouch - A low stance.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing
Cutting Off the Ring - Moving in such a way as to place the opponent against the ropes or into a corner.
D
Dance - Muhammad Ali’s style of constant, graceful footwork rather than planting the feet.
Defence - The ability to make the opponent miss.
Defensive Responsibility - Taking initiative with blocks, footwork and head movement, without waiting for the opponent to attack.
Dempsey Roll - Jack Dempsey’s technique of punching while moving forward in a zig-zag motion.
Direct Attack - A punch without a set-up.
Disengage - To move away from the opponent after intending to attack.
Double Hook - Manny Pacquiao’s technique of throwing both the left and the right hook at the same time.
Draw In - Dropping the guard to invite a punch from the opponent.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing.
Duck - To avoid an attack by lowering the body.
See: Blower, G., 2007. Boxing: Training, Skills and Techniques. The Crowood Press Ltd.
E
Effective Aggressiveness - The ability to hit and not get hit while moving forward.
Elbow-Block - To obstruct a low punch by tucking the elbow.
Elbow-Control - Grabbing the opponent’s elbow and turning them away.
F
Falling Step - Jack Dempsey’s way of stepping that avoids preliminary movements and adds power to a punch.
See: Dempsey, J., 2015. Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense. Simon & Schuster; Tom, T., Wong, T. and Lee Keasler, S., 2012. The Straight Lead. New York: Tuttle Pub.
Feint - A false move designed to distract the opponent.
Flurry - A sudden commotion of punches.
Forearm Parry - To deflect a punch with the forearm.
Forty-Five - A punch at an angle between a straight punch and a hook.
G
Gazelle Punch - A lead hook while leaping forward.
Guard - A boxer’s way of standing to protect the head and body while prepared to attack.
H
Half-clinch - A clinch with one arm.
Also see: fightTIPS, 2020. 5 Ways to Land the Uppercut. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjvhYzt8QMk> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Half-step - A step with one foot without fully committing with the other foot.
Haymaker - A wild, powerful punch.
Head Control - Stopping the opponent from moving their head.
Head Roll - To rotate the head away from a punch so as to reduce impact.
Hold - To grab the opponent’s arms to prevent them from punching.
Hook - A horizontal, curved punch.
Also see: International Boxing Association (AIBA), 2018. Coaches - AIBA. [online] AIBA. Available at: <https://www.aiba.org/coaches2020/> [Accessed 13 October 2021]
Horizontal Fist - A punch in a knuckles-up position.
Huppercut - Roy Jones Jr’s technique of throwing a feint lead uppercut to set up a lead hook.
I
Immobilization - To stop the opponent from moving their hand.
Indirect Attack - An attack that begins with a feint.
See: Lee, B., 1975. Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Black Belt Communications
In-fighting - Boxing at close range.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing
J
Jab - A straight punch with the lead hand.
Also see: Tom, T., Wong, T. and Lee Keasler, S., 2012. The Straight Lead. New York: Tuttle Pub.
Jolt - Jack Dempsey’s version of a power jab which involves stepping forward to put weight into the punch.
See: Dempsey, J., 2015. Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense. Simon & Schuster.
K
Knockout Artist - A style of boxing based on setting up powerful punches to knock the opponent out as opposed to scoring points.
L
L-step - A footwork technique where the front foot sweeps inward before skipping to the side.
Also see: Coach Anthony, 2018. Footwork How to skip step and why| Boxing secrets| Coach Anthony Boxing. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHzj4aA3BM&t=321s> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Lateral Footwork - Bouncing side-to-side to keep an opponent guessing.
Lateral Uppercut - A lead uppercut thrown sideways.
Also see: Ian Streetz, 2019. CLOSE RANGE UPPERCUT. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouy4SfaAK24> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Lead - An opponent’s first move.
Also see: Nguyen, J., 2013. How to Read Opponents in a Fight. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xStq1UBYp5E> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Look - A move designed to hold the opponent’s attention.
M
Measure - A way of jabbing to gauge whether to commit to an attack.
Also see: McLeod Scott Boxing, 2020. 27 Traps & Tricks in Boxing | McLeod Scott Boxing. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3BoZmTgYA> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Mayweather Defence - Floyd Mayweather Jr’s version of the ‘Philly Shell’ that involves additional defensive techniques, such as ‘control’.
N
Negate - To prevent an attack by moving in and out of range with precision.
Nullify - To prevent an opponent from either attacking or counter-attacking.
O
Occupy - To jab at the opponent’s guard as a distraction and set-up.
Open - To attack the opponent’s arms to expose the head and body.
Also see: McLeod Scott Boxing, 2020. 27 Traps & Tricks in Boxing | McLeod Scott Boxing. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3BoZmTgYA> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Orthodox - A conventional boxing stance whereby the boxer leads with the left hand.
Out-fighting - A style of boxing characterised by keeping the opponent at a distance.
See: Driscoll, J., 2008. Out-Fighting or Long-Range Boxing: The Deluxe Edition. Promethean Press
Outward Parry - To deflect a punch with the back of the hand.
Overhand - A punch thrown in a vertical arc from high to low, over the opponent’s hand.
P
Parry - To deflect a punch.
See: Lee, B., 1975. Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Black Belt Communications.
Paw - An uncommitted jab.
Peek-a-Boo - A style of boxing whereby the hands are held in front of the boxer’s face.
Also see: fergusmc69, 2009. The science of Tyson. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plxlf9vRzkY&t=29s> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Philly Shell - A boxing style where the lead hand is held low and the lead shoulder protects the chin.
Also see: TheUmmahFightCamp, 2021. "PHILLY SHELL" BOXING / THE HISTORY : STYLE and NAME.. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBflw6C9j6c> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Pick’em Fighter - A style of boxing whereby the boxer selects punches as appropriate rather than committing to pre-set combinations.
Pin - To place a hand in front of the opponent’s hand to prevent them from attacking.
Pivot - To change angle by rotating on the ball of the foot and sweeping the other foot in a semi-circle.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing.
Positioning - To move to a specific place or angle to gain advantage over the opponent.
Post - To control the head.
Also see: Robinson, B., 2019. How to Box at World Level - Wall Drills for Controlling Fights with Barry Robinson. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkaGlcgytJk&t=11s> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Pot Shot - A surprise punch.
Pressure - To remain close enough to the opponent to be a threat but far enough to avoid any punches.
Pry Open - To break out of a clinch using the elbows.
Pull - To lean back.
Pull-Counter - To lean back and then throw a straight punch with the rear hand.
Also see: Complex Boxing, 2020. The Pull Counter | Boxing Technique Breakdown | Film Study. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA0aakUoh5Y> [Accessed 14 October 2021].
Q
Quick-shift - To change stance by rotating the heels and without stepping.
See: United States Naval Institute, 2006. Boxing (Naval Aviation Physical Training Manuals). Paladin Press,U.S.
R
Range Finder - A punch thrown to gauge distance.
Reset - To move away and then approach an opponent again.
Also see: Weldon, K., 2018. Boxing: The Weldon reset AKA bumping right. [image] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSPQE2jd7xY> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Reverse L-Step - A footwork technique where the rear foot sweeps in before skipping to the side.
Rhythm Slips - To move the head side-to-side in sync with an opponent.
Rhythm Step - An unconscious habit of bouncing without purpose.
Ring Generalship - The ability to control the style and pace of a boxing match.
Also see: Donovan, M., 1997. The Science of Boxing: Rules and Articles on Training Generalship in the Ring and Kindred Subjects. Doyle Studio Pr.; Haislet, E., 2015. Boxing. Facsimile Publisher.
Roll - To duck a punch by circling under.
See: Blower, G., 2007. Boxing: Training, Skills and Techniques. The Crowood Press Ltd.
Rope-a-Dope - Muhammad Ali’s tactic of pretending to be trapped against the ropes, inviting the opponent to throw punches and eventually tire.
S
Set-up - A trick prior to an attack.
Shift - To skip and change stance at the same time.
Shoe Shine - A flurry of uppercuts.
Shoulder Control - To stop the opponent from attacking at close range by placing a hand on their shoulder and turning them away.
Shoulder Roll - To obstruct a punch with the shoulder.
Shovel Hook - A punch thrown at an angle between a hook and an uppercut.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing.
Shuffle - Muhammad Ali’s technique of switching the feet in rapid fashion while remaining in the same position.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing.
Skip - To gallop by sweeping the rear foot first to move forward, or the front foot first to move backwards.
Slip - To avoid a punch by moving the head off the firing line.
Slugger - A style of boxing focused on power and control, and less on technique.
Smother - To move close to an opponent to prevent them from attacking.
Southpaw - A boxing stance whereby the boxer leads with the right hand.
Spin Jump - To jump laterally in an arc.
Split Jab - A slip and a jab at the same time.
Square Stance - To stand with the feet parallel and shoulder-width apart.
Stance - A boxer’s way of standing in preparation to hit and not get hit.
Step - To change position by moving the foot closest to the direction headed first, followed by an equal step with the other foot.
Stop-Hit - Bruce Lee’s technique of jabbing an opponent to interrupt them as they prepare to attack.
See: Tom, T., Wong, T. and Lee Keasler, S., 2012. The Straight Lead. New York: Tuttle Pub.
Swing - A wild, non-technical punch.
Switch - A change in stance by taking a large step forwards or backwards, or by swapping the feet while in the same position.
Also see: Jeffries, T., 2021. Switching Boxing Stance (Orthodox to Southpaw) During a Fight. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fyu0f5SjHQ> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Switch Jump - To change angle and stance at the same.
Switch Hitter - A style that uses both orthodox and southpaw stances.
T
Taunt - A remark or posture made to provoke, distract and anger the opponent.
Touch - To distract the opponent by making light contact.
Trap - A posture or movement that invites an opponent to attack. See ‘Bait’ and ‘Set-up’.
Triangle Step - To step into a squared stance, side-step around the opponent, and then step back into stance.
Turn - To rotate the opponent by grabbing and pushing.
U
Underhand Rear - A rear hook to the body while slipping on the inside of the opponent’s punch on the same side.
Unorthodox - A style of boxing that deliberately breaks with traditional techniques.
Up Jab - A jab from a low lead hand position.
Uppercut - An upwards, curved punch.
V
Vertical Fist - A punch with the knuckles perpendicular to the ground, or ‘thumb-up’ position
Volume Puncher - A style of boxing whereby the quantity of punches has priority over their quality.
W
Weave - To circle under a punch, the two paths under each of the opponent’s arms forming a ‘W’.
Wedge - To obstruct a punch by jamming the opponent’s arm at the inner crook of the elbow.
See: Sondhi, R. and Thompson, T., 2011. Advanced Boxing: Training, Skills and Techniques. The Crowood Press Ltd.
Whirl - Jack Dempsey’s way of turning the shoulders rapidly to add power to straight punches.
See: Dempsey, J., 2015. Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense. Simon & Schuster.
Whitaker Uppercut - Pernell Whitaker’s technique of throwing an uppercut from behind his back.
Also see: BT Sport, 2018. Canelo v GGG I: Fight highlights from controversial draw. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0FcF2u13mE> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
White Hips - A feint by squaring the hips before throwing a read hand punch.
Windmill - Circling the rear hand flamboyantly as a distraction before attacking with a surprise punch.
X
X-guard - A stance where the arms cross as the hands protect opposite sides of the head.
See: Hatmaker, M. and Werner, D., 2004. Boxing Mastery. Chula Vista: Tracks Publishing
Y
Yank - Vasiliy Lomachenko’s technique of escaping a clinch by pulling the arm in a jerk motion.
Z
Zig-Zag - A footwork technique of stepping forward at alternate angles whereby each step is a change of stance.
#
1 - Code name for a jab.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a lead hook.
2 - Code name for a cross.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a cross or a rear hook.
3 - Code name for a lead hook.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a lead uppercut.
4 - Code name for a rear hook.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a rear uppercut.
5 - Code name for a lead uppercut.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a lead hook to the body.
6 - Code name for a rear uppercut.
In the Cus D’Amato system, a rear hook to the body.
7 - Code name for a jab to the head in the Cus D’Amato number system.
8 - Code name for a jab to the body in the Cus D’Amato number system.
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