How not to telegraph punches.

[VG_Addict]

What are common things fighters do that telegraph their punches? What do you do?

[NChristo]

Shadow box in front of a mirror is the best way too reduce how much you telegraph a punch, try to keep your punches as straight as possible, try not to wing your elbow out when punching, don't hesitate when you're punching, keep your eye's on the opponents chest / neck area and let your peripheral vision pick up on any of their movements (Some boxers look into the opponents eyes to predict the next punch) etc, you pick up on a lot of things the more you study how you're fighting in the mirror.

[ShoulderRoll]

Some habits I've had that telegraph a punch: pulling your hand back before you strike. Or dropping your hands slightly before you punch. Also tensing/shrugging the shoulders prior to a punch. Closing the eyes right before a punch.

It is a great idea to shadowbox in front of a mirror as NChristo says. Keep an eye out for any excess movements and fidgeting when you throw a blow or combinations.

[Nathan Jarvis]

Loading up on punches and over committing often leads to telegraphing punches. Some bad habits include, pulling the hand back before throwing, tensing the shoulder, bringing out the elbow, dropping your hands, looking at where you going to hit (e.g looking at his chest then quickly looking at his head making it obvious where your going to hit), maybe stepping in too much or doing the same movements over and over (opponent knows what your going to do).

[Marios GC]

Do not be in tense when throwing a punch and do not overload every single punch like you want to kill your opponent.

2nd and very helpfull for me was to stop choreograph movements-punches. In the beginning we learn 1-2, 1-1-2, 1-2-3 etc and of course we try to make it happen when we step in the ring but that's very obvious. Relax... Take your time, open your eyes, move, confuse him, jab, and hit whatever your body tells you. Wherever your fist fits, put it in there.

Cheers