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Recently I started sparring. In boxing, the athlete who jabs is told to keep right hand tucked at right side of face (pictures below). Just curious, why the right hand isn't taught to be more in front of the face, tucked below the eyes ready to block or catch/parry the punch? Is there a reason its traditionally taught to keep at side? I seemed to have little more luck in front, as its hard to throw a long hook to left side.

Pictures below where face is more open to punches, etc

Resources:

https://youtu.be/OeedpzLRe2E?t=66

https://youtu.be/CmpqqsmiP70?t=226

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enter image description here

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  1. It protects you from hooks.

  2. It is a better position from which to launch a variety of punches.

  3. Keeping your fist further forward as you describe reduces the potential power of your punch.

(Catching or parrying is made more difficult from this position, but only marginally, and this is typically considered a secondary concern to the reasons provided above).

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    I agree, but would add that a bear handed stance will always be different from a gloved stance anyway.
    – Huw Evans
    Nov 24, 2021 at 14:19
  • whats a bear stance? @HuwEvans is it this? akban.org/wiki/Hoko_no_kamae,Bear_stance-_Ninjutsu
    – mattsmith5
    Nov 24, 2021 at 16:44
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    @mattsmith5. I think Huw might have meant 'bare handed', not 'Bear handed', but I could be wrong.
    – Futilitarian
    Nov 25, 2021 at 1:22
  • yes bare handed not bear handed.
    – Huw Evans
    Nov 25, 2021 at 17:19
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    4) additionally its harder to pivot if other hand is in front of face 5) if its held in front too close, your own boxing glove bouncing back at your face is very painful, I tried both strategies
    – mattsmith5
    Dec 1, 2021 at 8:30

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