G001PUNCHES
JAB
A quick straight punch with the lead hand, used to control range, establish rhythm, measure the opponent, create openings and set up combinations.
ALIASES lead straight · lead-hand straight · 1Learn · 02
Boxing
Glossary
116 canonical terms for technique, training and competition.
116 / 116
G002PUNCHES
CROSS
A powerful straight punch with the rear hand, normally driven by weight transfer and rotation of the hips and shoulders.
ALIASES rear straight · straight right · straight left for southpaw · 2G003PUNCHES
STRAIGHT PUNCH
Any punch delivered toward the target on a predominantly straight line, as opposed to a hook or uppercut.
ALIASES straightG004PUNCHES
HOOK
A curved punch delivered with a bent arm from the side, commonly targeting the head or body.
ALIASES hook punch · κροσέG005PUNCHES
UPPERCUT
An upward punch travelling from below the target, commonly aimed at the chin or body and especially useful at close range.
ALIASES upper cutG006PUNCHES
OVERHAND
A looping power punch, usually from the rear hand, that travels over the opponent's punch or guard and down toward the target.
ALIASES overhand right · overhand leftG007PUNCHES
BODY SHOT
A legal punch to the torso above the beltline. It may be delivered as a jab, straight, hook or uppercut.
ALIASES body punchG008PUNCHES
CHECK HOOK
A hook combined with a lateral exit or pivot as the opponent advances, allowing the boxer to counter while changing angle.
ALIASES pivot hookG009PUNCHES
SHOVEL HOOK
A diagonal punch combining characteristics of a hook and uppercut, often directed to the body beneath the opponent's elbow.
ALIASES shovel punchG010PUNCHES
ONE-TWO
The fundamental jab–cross combination. “1” denotes the jab and “2” the rear straight in common punch-numbering systems.
ALIASES jab-cross · one twoG011PUNCHES
COMBINATION
A sequence of two or more punches delivered consecutively as one offensive action.
ALIASES comboG012PUNCHES
COUNTERPUNCH
A punch delivered in direct response to an opponent's attack, exploiting the opening, movement or timing created by that attack.
ALIASES counter · counter punchG013STANCE & MOVEMENT
STANCE
The fundamental positioning of the body, feet and hands from which a boxer attacks, defends and moves.
ALIASES boxing stanceG014STANCE & MOVEMENT
ORTHODOX
A stance with the left foot and hand forward and the right hand to the rear, most commonly used by right-handed boxers.
ALIASES orthodox stanceG015STANCE & MOVEMENT
SOUTHPAW
A stance with the right foot and hand forward and the left hand to the rear, commonly used by left-handed boxers.
ALIASES southpaw stanceG016STANCE & MOVEMENT
GUARD
The positioning of the hands and arms used to protect vulnerable targets while remaining ready to attack or defend.
ALIASES hand positionG017STANCE & MOVEMENT
FOOTWORK
The use of the feet to control distance, angles, balance and positioning inside the ring.
ALIASES foot workG018STANCE & MOVEMENT
PIVOT
A rotation around one foot that changes the boxer's angle while preserving stance and balance.
ALIASES turnG019STANCE & MOVEMENT
STEP-IN
A controlled step toward the opponent to reduce distance without crossing the feet or losing balance.
ALIASES step inG020STANCE & MOVEMENT
STEP-OUT
A controlled movement away from the opponent to increase range while maintaining a functional boxing stance.
ALIASES step out · step backG021STANCE & MOVEMENT
LATERAL MOVEMENT
Movement to the left or right rather than only forward and backward, used to change angle and position.
ALIASES side stepG022STANCE & MOVEMENT
CIRCLE OUT
Circular lateral movement away from the direct line of attack, often used to escape pressure, ropes or a corner.
ALIASES circle awayG023STANCE & MOVEMENT
SWITCH STANCE
A controlled transition from orthodox to southpaw or vice versa during movement or competition.
ALIASES switch · stance switchG024STANCE & MOVEMENT
ANGLE
A boxer's relative position to the opponent. Creating an angle allows attack or defence outside the opponent's direct line of return.
ALIASES attack angleG025STANCE & MOVEMENT
RANGE
The distance between the two boxers, determining which punches and defensive options are practically available.
ALIASES distance · fighting rangeG026DEFENSE
BLOCK
A defence in which an incoming punch is stopped by the gloves, arms or forearms instead of landing cleanly on the target.
ALIASES blockingG027DEFENSE
PARRY
A small active deflection that redirects an incoming punch away from its intended line, usually with the glove.
ALIASES parryingG028DEFENSE
CATCH
Receiving an incoming punch on the glove with a small controlled movement rather than a full block or evasion.
ALIASES catch the jabG029DEFENSE
SLIP
A small movement of the head and torso off the line of a straight punch without a large change in foot position.
ALIASES slippingG030DEFENSE
DUCK
Lowering the body so a punch passes overhead while maintaining balance and visual contact.
ALIASES duck underG031DEFENSE
BOB AND WEAVE
A coordinated lowering and lateral movement of the head underneath and around incoming hooks.
ALIASES weaveG032DEFENSE
ROLL
A curved head-and-torso movement underneath a hook, allowing the boxer to emerge on the opposite side of the attack.
ALIASES roll under · rollingG033DEFENSE
SHOULDER ROLL
A defence using the lead shoulder and body positioning to deflect or absorb straight punches.
ALIASES shoulder defenceG034DEFENSE
HIGH GUARD
A compact guard with both gloves high to protect the head and temples while the elbows protect the torso.
ALIASES high guard defenceG035DEFENSE
COVER UP
A temporary compact defence in which the boxer covers the head and body to withstand or absorb an attacking combination.
ALIASES shell upG036DEFENSE
PULL / LEAN BACK
Moving the head or upper body backward so an incoming punch falls short, without necessarily taking a full step back.
ALIASES pull backG037DEFENSE
CLINCH
A very close position where the boxers make contact and normal punching is restricted. The referee may command a break; illegal holding remains a foul.
ALIASES holding positionG038TACTICS
FEINT
A false or incomplete action designed to provoke a reaction and create an opening for the real attack.
ALIASES fakeG039TACTICS
PRESSURE FIGHTING
A tactical approach based on sustained controlled advancement to reduce the opponent's space and reaction time.
ALIASES pressure fighterG040TACTICS
OUT-BOXING
A style built around range, the jab, footwork, angles and clean scoring rather than prolonged close-range exchanges.
ALIASES out boxerG041TACTICS
INSIDE FIGHTING
Boxing at very close range where hooks, uppercuts, body shots and positional control become especially important.
ALIASES infighting · in-fightingG042TACTICS
OUTSIDE FIGHTING
A tactical approach that maintains longer range to emphasize the jab, straight punches and movement.
ALIASES long-range boxingG043TACTICS
RING GENERALSHIP
The ability to control where and at what pace the bout is fought through positioning, movement, pressure and range selection.
ALIASES ring controlG044TACTICS
CUT OFF THE RING
Using angles and lateral positioning to remove an opponent's escape routes rather than simply following them around the ring.
ALIASES cutting the ringG045TACTICS
DISTANCE MANAGEMENT
Deliberate control of distance so the boxer operates at their effective range rather than the opponent's.
ALIASES range controlG046TACTICS
TIMING
Choosing the correct moment to attack, defend or counter in relation to the opponent's movement and rhythm.
ALIASES timing a punchG047TACTICS
TEMPO
The speed and frequency at which movement and exchanges unfold during a bout.
ALIASES paceG048TACTICS
BODY WORK
Systematic use of legal punches to the torso to score, create openings and progressively wear down the opponent.
ALIASES body attackG049TACTICS
WORK RATE
The volume of active offensive and competitive actions a boxer produces over a given period.
ALIASES output · punch outputG050TRAINING
SHADOWBOXING
Training without an opponent or equipment, using movement, punches, defence and combinations against an imagined opponent.
ALIASES shadow boxingG051TRAINING
SPARRING
Controlled boxing practice with a real partner, performed under agreed intensity and training objectives.
ALIASES sparG052TRAINING
TECHNICAL SPARRING
Sparring at limited intensity and/or with a specific technical objective, where learning takes priority over “winning” the session.
ALIASES light sparring · situational sparringG053TRAINING
HEAVY BAG
A large weighted bag used to train power, combinations, rhythm, range and conditioning.
ALIASES punching bag · bagG054TRAINING
SPEED BAG
A small fast-rebounding bag mounted to a platform, mainly used for rhythm, coordination and repetitive hand movement.
ALIASES speedball · speed ballG055TRAINING
DOUBLE-END BAG
A small bag anchored above and below by elastic cords, moving unpredictably to develop timing, accuracy and reactions.
ALIASES double end ballG056TRAINING
FOCUS MITTS / PADS
Small handheld targets used by a coach or partner to train accuracy, combinations, defence, timing and movement.
ALIASES mitts · pads · pad workG057TRAINING
JUMP ROPE
Rope-skipping training used to develop rhythm, foot coordination, endurance and movement efficiency.
ALIASES skipping rope · skippingG058TRAINING
ROADWORK
Traditional boxing term for running and related aerobic or interval conditioning performed outside the gym.
ALIASES road workG059TRAINING
CONDITIONING
Training physical qualities such as endurance, strength, power, speed and the ability to repeat intense efforts.
ALIASES physical conditioningG060TRAINING
PARTNER DRILLS
Structured technical exercises between two athletes, often built around a predefined attack, defence or counter.
ALIASES partner work · drillsG061RING & BOUT
RING
The square competition area in boxing, enclosed by ropes.
ALIASES boxing ringG062RING & BOUT
CORNER
The ring corner assigned to a boxer and their team between rounds.
ALIASES boxer cornerG063RING & BOUT
NEUTRAL CORNER
A corner assigned to neither boxer. After a knockdown, the opponent is normally directed to a neutral corner under the referee's instructions.
ALIASES neutralG064RING & BOUT
ROPES
The ropes surrounding and defining the boxing ring.
ALIASES ring ropesG065RING & BOUT
CANVAS
The covered floor surface on which the boxing bout takes place.
ALIASES ring floorG066RING & BOUT
BOUT
An official contest between two boxers conducted under defined rules, rounds and competition category.
ALIASES contest · fightG067RING & BOUT
ROUND
A defined period of competitive action separated from the next round by a rest interval.
ALIASES rndG068RING & BOUT
BELL
The audible signal used to mark the start or end of a round and other official timing points in a bout.
ALIASES gongG069RING & BOUT
BREAK
A referee command instructing the two boxers to stop immediate engagement and separate before boxing resumes. Under EBU rules, when the referee commands “Break”, the boxers must separate immediately and clearly take a step back.
ALIASES referee breakG070RING & BOUT
KNOCKDOWN
A situation in which a boxer is considered down under the rules following a legal scoring blow and the referee begins a count. A boxer may be considered down not only when touching the canvas after a legal blow but also in certain rulesets when the ropes prevent the boxer from falling. Exact definitions vary by organization.
ALIASES KD · downG071RING & BOUT
COUNT
The referee's official count after a knockdown, used to determine whether the boxer can safely resume competition. Under EBU rules, the referee counts aloud from one to ten at approximately one-second intervals after a knockdown, with the Timekeeper also providing the count. The bell does not interrupt an active count at the end of a round.
ALIASES eight count · ten countG072RING & BOUT
REFEREE
The official inside the ring responsible for enforcing the rules and protecting the boxers, with authority to caution, count, stop or terminate the bout.
ALIASES refG073SCORING & DECISIONS
10-POINT MUST SYSTEM
A scoring system in which the winner of each round receives 10 points and the other boxer normally receives 9 or fewer, depending on dominance, knockdowns and deductions. Under EBU professional rules, judges normally award 10 points to the better boxer in a round and score the opponent accordingly. A 10–10 round is permitted when the round is judged even, although even rounds should be avoided where possible.
ALIASES ten-point must · 10 point mustG074SCORING & DECISIONS
JUDGE
An official who evaluates and scores the bout. In World Boxing, judges perform a different role from the referee.
ALIASES scoring judgeG075SCORING & DECISIONS
SCORECARD
The official record of the scores awarded by a judge for the rounds and the bout.
ALIASES scores · judges' cardG076SCORING & DECISIONS
WP / WIN ON POINTS
The official World Boxing result code for a bout decided by the judges' total scores. The points decision may be unanimous or split.
ALIASES points · PTS · points decisionG077SCORING & DECISIONS
UD / UNANIMOUS DECISION
A points decision in which all judges select the same winner. In World Boxing this sits within the WP result category.
ALIASES unanimous · 5-0G078SCORING & DECISIONS
SD / SPLIT DECISION
A points decision in which the judges are divided but the required majority selects the same winner. In World Boxing it is a form of WP.
ALIASES split · 3-2 · 4-1G079SCORING & DECISIONS
MD / MAJORITY DECISION
Mainly a professional-boxing term: two judges select the same winner and the third scores a draw. It is not a separate current World Boxing result code.
ALIASES majorityG080SCORING & DECISIONS
DRAW
A result with no winner where the competition format permits it. In a normal World Boxing elimination bout, a winner must be determined using the applicable tie-breaking process.
ALIASES DG081SCORING & DECISIONS
RSC / REFEREE STOPS CONTEST
Official World Boxing code when the referee stops the contest because a boxer is outclassed, receiving excessive punishment or hard blows, is unable to continue, or another defined RSC condition applies.
ALIASES referee stoppageG082SCORING & DECISIONS
RSC-I / REFEREE STOPS CONTEST — INJURY
Official World Boxing code for a referee stoppage when an injury makes a boxer unable to continue under the conditions defined by the rules. RSC-I belongs to the World Boxing/amateur result terminology. EBU professional rules use different result classifications, including TKO and stoppage for injury.
ALIASES RSCI · RSC IG083SCORING & DECISIONS
KO / KNOCKOUT
A boxer cannot rise and resume before the count reaches ten, or the referee ends the bout immediately because urgent medical attention is required.
ALIASES K.O. · knockoutG084SCORING & DECISIONS
TKO / TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT
A common professional-boxing term for a stoppage without a ten-count knockout because a boxer cannot safely continue. World Boxing normally uses the official RSC or RSC-I codes instead. The exact classification depends on the ruleset. Under EBU professional rules, victory by TKO (“referee stop contest”) and victory by stoppage for injury are listed as distinct result categories.
ALIASES technical KOG085SCORING & DECISIONS
ABD / ABANDONMENT
Official World Boxing code when a boxer voluntarily retires or the corner indicates that the boxer will not continue, under the conditions defined by the rules. ABD is World Boxing/amateur terminology and should not be treated as identical to the EBU professional result category “Retirement”.
ALIASES abandonmentG086SCORING & DECISIONS
DSQ / DISQUALIFICATION
Official result code when a boxer is disqualified for a rules violation and the opponent is declared the winner.
ALIASES DQ · disqualifiedG087SCORING & DECISIONS
DQB / DISQUALIFICATION FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR
A specific World Boxing disqualification category for serious unsportsmanlike behaviour, with the additional consequences provided by the rules.
ALIASES DQB · unsportsmanlike behaviourG088SCORING & DECISIONS
WO / WALKOVER
A win without a normal bout taking place because the opponent cannot or does not appear ready to compete under the applicable rules.
ALIASES W/O · walk overG089TOURNAMENT
DRAW / BRACKET
The tournament structure determining which boxers meet in each round and the path leading to the final.
ALIASES tournament draw · bracketG090TOURNAMENT
SEEDING
Pre-positioning selected boxers in the draw based on ranking or competition rules in order to structure the bracket.
ALIASES seed · seeded boxerG091TOURNAMENT
BYE
A bracket position allowing a boxer to advance without competing in that particular round, usually because of field size and draw structure.
ALIASES first-round byeG092TOURNAMENT
R32 / ROUND OF 32
Tournament round containing up to 32 boxers, with the winners advancing to the Round of 16.
ALIASES round 32 · last 32G093TOURNAMENT
R16 / ROUND OF 16
Tournament round containing up to 16 boxers, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
ALIASES round 16 · last 16G094TOURNAMENT
QF / QUARTERFINAL
Quarterfinal round. Victory advances the boxer to the semifinals.
ALIASES QF · quarter-final · quarter finalG095TOURNAMENT
SF / SEMIFINAL
Semifinal round. Victory advances the boxer to the final.
ALIASES SF · semi-final · semi finalG096TOURNAMENT
FINAL
The final bout of a tournament category, determining the highest finishing positions in the competition.
ALIASES F · gold-medal boutG097RING & BOUT
BOXING GLOVES
Protective padded gloves worn during boxing contests and training. Glove weight and approved construction depend on the competition rules. Under EBU professional championship rules, approved thumb-attached gloves are used; 8 oz gloves apply from flyweight through welterweight and 10 oz gloves in the heavier divisions. Gloves are supplied and supervised according to the contest regulations.
ALIASES gloves · boxing gloveG098RING & BOUT
HAND WRAPS / BANDAGES
Tape and/or gauze used to support and protect the boxer’s hands beneath the gloves. Under EBU professional rules, adhesive tape must not cover the knuckles directly, wrapping is supervised, and nothing other than permitted tape and bandage may be worn beneath the gloves.
ALIASES hand wraps · bandages · wrapsG099RING & BOUT
MOUTHGUARD / GUMSHIELD
Protective equipment worn inside the mouth to help protect the teeth, gums and jaw. Under EBU professional boxing rules a boxer must wear a gumshield while boxing.
ALIASES mouthpiece · gum shield · μασέλαG100RING & BOUT
WEIGHT CLASS / WEIGHT DIVISION
A competition category grouping boxers according to body weight. Weight limits vary by ruleset and sanctioning body. Under the cited EBU professional championship rules: Flyweight — up to 50.802 kg / 112 lb; Bantamweight — up to 53.525 kg / 118 lb; Super Bantamweight — up to 55.338 kg / 122 lb; Featherweight — up to 57.152 kg / 126 lb; Super Featherweight — up to 58.967 kg / 130 lb; Lightweight — up to 61.237 kg / 135 lb; Super Lightweight — up to 63.503 kg / 140 lb; Welterweight — up to 66.678 kg / 147 lb; Super Welterweight — up to 69.853 kg / 154 lb; Middleweight — up to 72.574 kg / 160 lb; Super Middleweight — up to 76.205 kg / 168 lb; Light Heavyweight — up to 79.378 kg / 175 lb; Cruiserweight — up to 90.719 kg / 200 lb; Heavyweight — over 90.719 kg / 200 lb. These limits are not identical across every boxing organization.
ALIASES weight class · weight division · divisionG101RING & BOUT
WEIGH-IN
The official measurement of a boxer’s body weight before a contest to confirm eligibility for the contracted weight division. Under EBU professional championship rules, the official weigh-in is normally held 24–36 hours before the contest under the Supervisor’s control. A boxer who initially misses the required weight may have a defined period to make weight under the applicable rules.
ALIASES weigh in · official weigh-inG102RING & BOUT
SECOND / CHIEF SECOND
A member of the boxer’s corner team who assists the boxer during a contest. The Chief Second is the person responsible for the corner team. Under EBU rules, seconds must obey the referee, remain silent during rounds and must not enter the ring during active boxing. The Chief Second may inform the referee that the boxer should retire from the contest.
ALIASES second · chief second · corner secondG103RING & BOUT
SUPERVISOR
The official responsible for overall supervision and regulatory coordination of an EBU championship contest. The Supervisor briefs and coordinates officials, collects judges’ scores round by round, communicates the official result to the ring announcer and prepares the contest report.
ALIASES contest supervisor · fight supervisorG104RING & BOUT
TIMEKEEPER
The official responsible for timing rounds and rest periods. The Timekeeper signals the beginning and end of rounds, monitors rest periods and assists with the count when a boxer is down. Time is stopped during a round only when instructed by the referee.
ALIASES time keeper · timerG105RING & BOUT
RINGSIDE DOCTOR / OFFICIAL DOCTOR
A qualified doctor positioned at ringside to monitor boxer safety. Under EBU championship rules, ringside doctors may examine a boxer, advise the referee about medical danger and recommend that a contest be stopped. The referee remains the person authorized to stop the contest.
ALIASES ringside doctor · official doctor · fight doctorG106SCORING & DECISIONS
NO DECISION (ND)
A contest result in which no winner or draw decision is recorded under the applicable rules. In EBU professional boxing, “No Decision” is one of the recognized possible contest results and may also be declared in exceptional circumstances affecting the proper running of the contest.
ALIASES ND · no decisionG107SCORING & DECISIONS
TECHNICAL DRAW
A draw declared when a professional contest is stopped because of an accidental foul or irregularity before enough rounds have been completed for the scorecards to determine a winner. Under EBU rules, if an accidental-foul injury prevents continuation before the end of the fourth round, the result is a Technical Draw.
ALIASES TD draw · technical tieG108SCORING & DECISIONS
TECHNICAL DECISION
A professional-boxing result determined from the judges’ scorecards when a contest must be stopped after sufficient rounds because of an accidental-foul injury or certain unavoidable circumstances. Under EBU rules, after the end of the fourth round, the boxer ahead on the scorecards may be declared the winner by Technical Decision when the applicable injury conditions are met.
ALIASES TD · technical points decisionG109SCORING & DECISIONS
RETIREMENT
A professional-boxing result in which a boxer does not continue the contest, commonly following a decision by the boxer or corner between rounds or during the contest according to the applicable rules. The EBU recognizes victory by retirement as a distinct result category. This concept is not merged with World Boxing ABD terminology.
ALIASES retired · corner retirementG110SCORING & DECISIONS
STOPPAGE FOR INJURY
A professional-boxing result where the contest is stopped because an injury prevents a boxer from continuing. Under EBU rules this is listed as a distinct result from TKO. The exact outcome can depend on whether the injury resulted from a legal punch, intentional foul or accidental foul.
ALIASES injury stoppage · stoppage due to injuryG111SCORING & DECISIONS
LEGAL / CORRECT BLOW
A scoring punch delivered with the permitted striking surface of the glove to a legal target area. Under EBU scoring rules, direct clean blows with the knuckle part of either glove to the front or sides of the opponent’s head or body above the belt count as effective attack.
ALIASES legal blow · correct blow · scoring punchG112SCORING & DECISIONS
FOUL
An action prohibited by the rules of boxing. Fouls may be intentional or accidental and can lead to warnings, point deductions, disqualification or different technical outcomes when an injury occurs. The exact consequence depends on the ruleset and circumstances.
ALIASES illegal action · rules violationG113SCORING & DECISIONS
LOW BLOW
An illegal punch landing below the permitted target area. In boxing, the belt line defines the lower boundary of the legal scoring area on the body. A low blow is treated as a foul and may lead to disciplinary consequences depending on intent, repetition and effect.
ALIASES below-the-belt punch · below the beltG114SCORING & DECISIONS
POINT DEDUCTION
A scoring penalty imposed for a rules violation. Point deductions reduce a boxer’s score and can affect the final decision. Under EBU rules, intentional or accidental fouls may lead to deductions depending on the circumstances; for example, an intentional foul that causes injury but does not stop the contest carries a two-point deduction under the cited rules.
ALIASES points deduction · deducted pointG115RING & BOUT
INTERNATIONAL BOXING COMMANDS
Standard verbal commands used by the referee during a contest. Under EBU rules, the five authorized commands are STOP, BOX, BREAK, TIME and THE BOXER’S NAME. Using a boxer’s name indicates that the referee is addressing that boxer for a fault or instruction. Counts are given in English.
ALIASES referee commands · boxing commands · STOP BOX BREAK TIMEG116SCORING & DECISIONS
SCORING CRITERIA
The principles judges use to evaluate and score a round. Under EBU professional rules, scoring considers effective attack through direct clean legal punches and defence through actions such as ducking, guarding, slipping and moving away. When boxers are otherwise equal, style, skill and efficiency can separate them.
ALIASES judging criteria · scoring factors