Peppering shots in boxing is the concept of punching with 0% power, only touching the opponent. This allows you to get the look you want without committing, saving your coiled power for the next punch.
Â
Most are familiar with the concept of throwing the jab out, but this same concept applies to any punch in or out of a combination. The reason the jab is the most common pepper or touch punch is it allows you to also test range, make your opponent blink, and faint a real jab.
Â
One additional key element that can be used with peppering is using it to quickly rotate your shoulders. Imagine a jab cross hook combo with full power. Now imagine it with a strong jab, a pepper cross to reload the jab arm, and a power hook. This increases the odds that the hook will land, as it will come faster, and the cross will serve as a very convincing fake.
Â
Consider also peppering without rotating the shoulders, so you can throw the same punch again with full power. Imagine a jab, pepper cross with no arm rotation, and cross combo. The second cross has a much higher chance to catch the opponent off guard.