Line of Fire

[SugarBoxing]

I feel that when throwing the straight right hand the "danger zone" is along the line that passes through the feet of the fighter roughly:

http://postimg.org/image/cdurigvrh/



Do you know any book that discusses it?

How to sort of motivate it from the punching mechanics

[jms]

Yes when you think of it, you can only really generate power in two directions: from one leg to the other. Thus to maximize power you want the alignment of your feet relative to the target to match the trajectory of the punch. So for straight punches and uppercuts, you get the most power with your lead foot aimed at the target and your rear foot behind it (without being in a line or crossed for balance reasons of course). For hooks, they're harder if your foot position is square like the guy on the right in your example. It's no good to just stand that way though, every shot that hits you will knock you on your heels, your defense and distance are compromised and your straight punches aren't gonna be as effective. If you want to throw hooks from there, you have to be able to transition into that stance either off defensive movements, pivots or when your opponent is shelling up.

It's the same when you ask about kicks too. Guys who throw a lot of linear kicks will stand more like boxers whereas guys who throw a lot of round kicks stand more square. It's just how the body works.

[Andre]

The line is from the rear big toe to the fist on impact. If the opposition can stop the fist with a palm of the hand (even lightly) before or during the fist launching the punch, the heel behind the toe wont go through full lift there will be no follow through,the power will be diffused.

[SugarBoxing]

The line is from the rear big toe to the fist on impact.

That' 100% true.

But the problem is I do not want to "experience" such line of fire, I want to predict it before the fist is thrown, as early as possible

[Andre]

Of course there's all the usual options; the slip n double hook under and over it,duck and counter, block adjust, adjust and throw a cross over the path etc.

Could be fun to experiement with some rarer stuff too if he is an open fighter and likes his distance but you are not bothered by him and just want in.

You ever gone for the rear hand with your lead left and choked it out before it can fire? Takes guts or (or you read him easy toward the end game and have no respect for his power) to be able to move in right under his nose like that and choke a shot out you know is coming. but its another rare option. You can then throw your rear right tight shot right across the path of his free lead arm faster on the move, than he can react and adjust to his other arm being chocked down and his shot interrupted,with practice you'll catch him square and right in front of you if you adjust.

[SugarBoxing]

Of course there's all the usual options; the slip n double hook under and over it,duck and counter, block adjust, adjust and throw a cross over the path etc.

Could be fun to experiement with some rarer stuff too if he is an open fighter and likes his distance but you are not bothered by him and just want in.

You ever gone for the rear hand with your lead left and choked it out before it can fire? Takes guts or (or you read him easy toward the end game and have no respect for his power) to be able to move in right under his nose like that and choke a shot out you know is coming. but its another rare option. You can then throw your rear right tight shot right across the path of his free lead arm faster on the move, than he can react and adjust to his other arm being chocked down and his shot interrupted,with practice you'll catch him square and right in front of you if you adjust.

thanks.

I mean how to estimate the line of fire for say straight punches based on the stance only, i.e. words before the opponent throws his punches.

[Andre]

You thinking of watching their feet?

[jms]

I mean how to estimate the line of fire for say straight punches based on the stance only, i.e. words before the opponent throws his punches.

Well if the opponent is any good he's gonna be working to ALWAYS have his punches lined up while trying to move so yours aren't. The line of fire is always right on you by default, until you find a way to change that.