1. Stance (Boxing Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position: Begin in your boxing stance, with your lead foot forward (left foot for orthodox, right foot for southpaw). Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your weight balanced evenly on the balls of your feet. Keep your knees slightly bent for mobility.
• Knees and Hips: Maintain a relaxed and athletic posture. Your knees should be slightly bent for stability and mobility. The hips should be in alignment with your torso, and slightly rotated toward your opponent in preparation for the punch.
• Hands/Guard: Keep your lead hand up near your chin and your rear hand close to your face for defense. Your elbows should be tucked in to protect your ribs and lower body. The head should be slightly off-center to make you a harder target.

2. Chambering the Body Shot (Preparation)

• Rear Hand Position: Before throwing the body shot, position your rear hand near your chin, with your elbow slightly bent. The fist is relaxed but prepared to snap forward.
• Rotation of the Hips and Shoulders: The power for the body shot comes from the rotation of the hips and shoulders, rather than just the arm. Engage your core and lower body to prepare for the punch. This will allow you to generate power through your legs and torso when you execute the shot.

3. The Body Shot (The Actual Strike)

• Step 1 – Lower the Rear Hand: Drop your rear hand slightly to aim for your opponent’s midsection, typically targeting the liver, ribs, or solar plexus. This movement creates an angle for the punch and opens up the body for a clean shot.
• Step 2 – Rotate and Drive the Punch: Rotate your rear hip and shoulder as you drive your fist toward your opponent’s body. Engage your core and push off the rear leg to generate power for the punch. The fist should be driven toward the target in a straight line or slightly upward for an uppercut-style body shot, depending on the specific target.
• Step 3 – Fist Position: As your fist travels towards the target, your palm should face either down or slightly inward (depending on the punch’s angle). Make sure your wrist is straight, and your knuckles land squarely on the target. The first two knuckles should make contact, and your hand should remain solid, not loose, to maximize the punch’s impact.
• Step 4 – Elbow and Arm Position: Keep your elbow close to your body and avoid flaring it outward. A tight, controlled movement helps maintain balance and focus the power on the body shot. A wide elbow may expose you to counters and reduce the power of the strike.

4. Footwork During the Body Shot

• Pivoting: As you throw the body shot, pivot your rear foot slightly to generate more power. This allows you to rotate your body, transferring energy from your legs and hips through the punch.
• Weight Transfer: As you throw the punch, shift your weight from your lead foot to your rear foot, generating power through the lower body. Be mindful not to overcommit your weight forward, as this can leave you off-balance and open to counters.
• Step or Slide: Depending on the distance, you might step forward slightly with your lead foot as you throw the body shot. This helps close the gap if you’re attacking from a long range.

5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

• Rear Hand Guard: As you throw the body shot, ensure your rear hand stays up near your face to protect your chin and head. Don’t drop your guard completely, as you could be vulnerable to uppercuts or hooks from your opponent.
• Head Movement: Avoid remaining stationary after throwing the body shot. After landing or missing the punch, use slight head movement to either slip or duck to one side, making it harder for your opponent to land a counterpunch.
• Elbow Position: Keep your elbow close to your body during the wind-up of the body shot. A flared elbow can expose you to counters. The tucked elbow ensures the punch is compact and powerful, while also protecting your torso.

6. Follow-up and Recovery

• Immediate Return to Guard: After delivering the body shot, quickly retract your rear hand back to its guard position to protect your face from counters.
• Set-up for Combinations: The body shot is often used as part of a combination. After landing the body shot, follow up with a jab, cross, hook, or even an uppercut. You can also use the body shot to set up for a head shot, catching your opponent off-guard.
• Reset Your Position: After throwing the body shot, ensure that you return to your balanced stance. This allows you to either defend, counter, or prepare for another strike.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overextending: Avoid reaching too far with the body shot. This can leave you vulnerable to counters and cause you to lose balance. The punch should be controlled, compact, and aimed directly at the target.
• Dropping the Rear Hand: One common mistake is dropping the rear hand after throwing the body shot. Always return your hand to your guard to protect yourself from counterattacks.
• Not Using the Hips: The power of the body shot comes from the rotation of the hips, not just from the arm. Focus on engaging your core and using your legs to generate power for the punch.
• Being Too Predictable: After landing the body shot, avoid standing still or telegraphing your next move. Always look to follow up with additional punches or defensive movements to stay one step ahead of your opponent.

8. Advanced Concepts

• Feinting the Body Shot: At an advanced level, you can use the body shot as a feint to set up other punches. Pretend to throw a body shot, forcing your opponent to drop their guard, then follow up with a head shot or uppercut.
• Body Shot to Create Openings: Throwing a body shot can cause your opponent to react defensively, such as raising their guard or shifting their weight. This reaction can open up the head for a follow-up strike.
• Angle Change After Body Shot: After landing a body shot, you can angle your body to either side to throw off your opponent’s timing and defense, making it harder for them to anticipate your next move.

Summary:

The body shot is a powerful and often underestimated punch in boxing. By targeting your opponent’s midsection, you can break their defense, sap their energy, and open up opportunities for head shots. Proper footwork, hip rotation, and keeping a solid guard are key to executing the body shot effectively. Combining body shots with other strikes in combinations and following up quickly is essential for making this punch an effective weapon in your boxing arsenal.