The 4 Non-Verbal Signs That Your Opponent Is Gassed
Scientists have said that 55% of body language is non-verbal.
Meaning it’s possible to tell exactly how a person is really feeling without even saying a word to them,
And yet despite this being a potentially fight-changing advantage…
Most gyms still ignorantly refuse to teach these body signals.
After all, why wouldn’t you want to know exactly when your opponent is tired…
Or frustrated…
Or even when he has caught his second wind?
Why would you not want to know exactly when it’s time to attack…
And exactly when you need to back off and look for another opportunity?
Honestly, I don’t know why anyone would want to give themselves the disadvantage of not knowing,
Which is why I am going to reveal some of the nonverbal cues and explain what each of them means in this blog post.
Gloves Get Heavier
This is by far the most obvious sign that anyone is tired.
In fact, I bet even you know this because everyone has done it in the past and most likely we will do it at some point in the future,
Because when the rounds start stacking up and you continue to try to prove that you want it more than your opponent
Those 16oz begin to feel like concrete cinderblocks strapped to each of your hands…
Making it 100x harder to even bring your hands up to your chin let alone throw any fast or explosive punch
But the good news is that your opponent is going through the exact same thing as you are
So if you notice his hands consistently dropping then you can use that as a sign to harness all the energy you have left…
And direct towards your helplessly fatigued opponent.
Don’t Hit Me Punches
The term “don’t hit me punches” actually comes from one of Mike Tyson's old coaches, Teddy Atlas.
Teddy explains these are the punches you throw when you stop trying to win.
Whether it’s because you’re hurt or you're tired, these punches are just enough for you to tell yourself that you didn’t quit
Even though in reality…
You gave up.
(I’m going to link the video HERE where he explains this concept of true mental strength)
But for now, let's talk about how to notice your opponent is throwing these “dont hit me punches”.
Remember it’s when your opponent has stopped trying to win,
So if he isn’t following up on his attacks,
If he is only throwing a couple of jabs,
And if you have to hit him 4-5 times before he tries to counter…
Then he has probably given up in his head.
Now there are other signs but overall you just need to notice if he is playing it safe instead of going for the win
Slowed Footwork
This is another easy sign to notice because when you get tired the first part of your body to feel it…
Is your legs.
I’m not going to go into the ‘why’ or the ‘how’ as it won’t really help you,
But I will suggest you pay attention to how much your opponent moves around,
And how quickly he is able to move.
Because as the rounds go on, your opponent should start to slow down and move less when he is tired,
And once you notice this pattern…
Make it your mission to get him on the ropes so he can't escape and you can start sending in sledgehammers.
Oxygen Crisis
Another sign he is tired is his breathing.
If you can hear that he can’t control his breath and he is desperately trying to take in as much oxygen as possible,
Then you need to immediately start applying pressure.
Because if he is already tired and you deny him the chance to recover by not giving him time to breathe,
Then his fatigue is going to increase exponentially making it even harder for him to recover later…
And even easier for you to dominate the fight.
In between Rounds
This is the number 1 mistake made by most amateurs when it comes to not showing weakness.
Most will stand strong for the full 3 minute round and then crumble into despair as soon as they hear the bell.
But thankfully we can use this to our advantage,
Since it will tell us exactly how tired our opponent is.
So next time you hear that bell look for signs like…
- His bounciness when he is standing
- His facial expression
- His breathing right before the next round
- How tall is he standing
- How relaxed is he
These are the signs that will tell you exactly how ready he is for the next round,
So you can judge the situation and know exactly how aggressive or cautious you need to start the round.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning about non-verbal cues should be essential in the world of boxing.
With scientists asserting that a substantial 55% of communication is expressed through body language,
The potential strategic advantage for fighters becomes undeniable.
It is disheartening, however, to note that many gyms still refuse to understand and leverage these nonverbal cues.
Even though, by incorporating this knowledge into training and fight strategies…
Athletes can unlock a decisive edge, capitalizing on the weaknesses and vulnerabilities revealed through nonverbal communication.
So mastering this aspect of combat sports is not just a matter of observation; it is a strategic tool that can profoundly influence the outcome of each fight.
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