Hi Sharla,
There are a lot of different types of signals to look for. These are the ones most relevant to boxing (the ones you can look for before you close with your opponent)
If your opponent shuffles in or out (or any time they step) watch how they land. If they land "solid" that means their ankle/knee/hip are all open correctly. If you see a very slight rock or wobble onto either the heel or the toe that means they're correcting for a problem (usually the coccyx).
It can be very slight.
Look at their neck for signs of muscular tension (this should be easier with boxers than with overweight martial artists

). If their stance is correct, the chin should be slightly tucked to extend/stretch the spine. This should relax the muscles around the neck. If you see little ropy muscles (like what you'd see if you were clenching your teeth or tugging your head to one side or the other) they're compensating.
Lastly, look to see if they are hunching. If someone hunches they tend to overtuck the coccyx. Not always, especially if you look at sambo and greco roman guys, but otherwise it's you can usuall count on some overtucking.
These are the easiest signs to explain on a messageboard. Most of the training we do to feel the structure is after contact has been made. If the ideas I wrote about up there don't make sense, I can try to explain the heart of the idea from our perspective. I tried finding a good example on youtube to show you, but it's hard to explain without being able to demonstrate...
-Ben
Bookmarks