So you've started boxing and you're wondering how to add some power to your punches.  Do you go to the gym and bulk up the triceps and biceps?  Do you do speed drills on the heavy bag to get your arms moving faster?  Do you pick up 3lb dumbells and shadowbox?

You could do some of all of the above, but a more effective way to increase your punching power and speed is to master the pivot principle.

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To preempt someone is to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first. It is a mission verb used in combat to describe a situation where you attempt to launch an offensive effort before your opponent in order to seize and then maintain the initiative. You know your opponent is planning something, but you need to beat him to the punch (literally).

Everyone has a decision cycle (also referred to as an OODA loop). When you see something happening, your brain has to process it, make decisions about that event and then cause you to react to it.

In boxing, reaction is bad.

Actually in combat, reaction is bad.

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Similar to the Jab Tap, I learned this technique the hard way - glove to face in the ring.  I have to give you a little background - so bear with me.  You see, when I first started boxing, I tended to hold my hands just below eye level.  That's not necessarily a bad thing, but my trainer had a hay day with it.

In the beginning...

Being new to the sport, I didn't have the skill or reflexes to be able to bring my hands up to block what seemed like lightning bolt jabs coming from my trainer.  He easily came through my mixed stance type of defence - over and over again, I might add.

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Sooner or later you are going to find yourself trying to battle out of a corner. The boxing ring has four of them and if your opponent controls the ring, you are going to find yourself back against the turnbuckle with no avenue of escape. This is where you want your opponent, so logical to reason that he is going to try and put you there as well.

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Sorry for the title of this boxing tip - I couldn't think of a clever way to describe what I'm about to tell you in something that would make sense any other way. I have to take a moment and tell you that this technique opened my eyes and finally made me understand the whole concept of weight transfer. Once I worked through this combination a light bulb went on and I completely understood how one punch puts you in position for another. Maybe it was the explanation at the time, or maybe I was just open to understanding that day, but I hope I can do this justice and give you the same light bulb moment.

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You've seen boxers clinch in every fight. To someone who doesn't know any better, it becomes downright annoying because it breaks up the action of two people swinging at each other. However, if you want to become a competitive boxer, you have to understand clinching, when to clinch, how to clinch, what to do in a clinch, and how to get out of a clinch.

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Unless you are the tall opponent, then eventually you are going to find yourself matched up with someone you literally have to look up to. Boxing a taller opponent has some unique challenges. An opponent who is taller than you will usually have a significant reach advantage, longer legs, and a target area that is not where you are used to hitting.

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