It should also be noted that in many martial arts, the word "telegraph" means to show a punch or any offensive movement before it is actually executed. This can be done by leading with the shoulder, shifting weight from one foot to another, or even something as simple as looking directly at the point of the body that you are about to attack.

A few simple ways of avoiding such a simple but potentially dangerous mistake are:

  • Train your eyes at your opponent's third eye. From there you can see his entire body movements.
  • Make your punches straight lines from their defensive position to the point of attack. Do not put your body behind the punch until you can be almost completely sure that it will make contact (1-2 inches away from the target).
  • Distribute your weight evenly between your feet. Keep both knees slightly bent and your balance centered straight through the entire body.

For a slightly more detailed list, click here.