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Step 1
Plant your feet about shoulder width apart with your knees bent slightly and your lead foot just ahead of your back foot. If you're right handed, your lead foot is your left, and if you're left handed, your lead foot is your right. Point the toes of both feet forward.
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Step 2
Turn your shoulders slightly so your lead shoulder is ahead of your back shoulder. This makes you a narrower target.
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Step 3
Lift your arms with your elbows bent and your hands clenched out in front of your face about a foot apart. To check the distance between your face and your hands, extend your thumbs back and touch them to your cheekbones. This is only to check distance, not part of the stance.
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Step 4
Pull both elbows in near your body to protect your ribs. Holding your elbows out leaves you open for body shots.
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Step 5
Tuck your chin down toward your chest to protect your neck and the point of your chin.
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Step 6
Hunch your shoulders up to protect your jaws and the sides of your head.
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Step 7
Make sure your body is loose and relaxed, especially your shoulders. Keep your weight evenly distributed and up on the balls of your feet so you can move quickly in any direction.
