Lesson 1: Stance and Structure lays the foundation for everything that follows in the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. In this lesson, Bob Mauro breaks down the principles of proper stance, balance, and body alignment that allow a fighter to generate power, maintain stability, and move with efficiency. You will learn how correct structure supports both offense and defense, improves timing, and prevents wasted motion. This lesson emphasizes thinking first—understanding why the stance works—so every strike, step, and reaction is built on a strong, intelligent foundation that carries through all aspects of fighting.

Stance and Structure

Lesson 1 Stance and Structure

Lesson 2: The Shuffle

In this lesson, students are introduced to the shuffle as a fundamental movement tool within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. The shuffle is taught as a method of maintaining balance, structure, and readiness while adjusting distance and positioning. Rather than excessive footwork, this lesson emphasizes controlled, efficient movement that allows the fighter to stay grounded, mobile, and prepared to strike or defend at any moment.

Students will learn how proper shuffling supports timing, rhythm, and range control, forming a critical link between stance and effective offense. This lesson reinforces the principle that intelligent movement creates opportunity and stability in fighting.

The Shuffle Step

Lesson 2 The Shuffle

Lesson 3: The Power Shuffle (Push Step)

In this training video, students are introduced to the power shuffle, also known as the push step, as an explosive movement used to generate forward pressure while maintaining balance and structure. The lesson breaks down how power is created from the ground up, emphasizing proper weight transfer, posture, and timing.

Students will learn how the push step allows them to close distance efficiently, deliver strikes with authority, and recover immediately without overcommitting. This lesson builds directly on the shuffle fundamentals and prepares students for applying movement to offensive weapons in future lessons.

Power Shuffle

Lesson 3 The Power Shuffle

Course Description: Weapons – The Jab

In this lesson, students are introduced to the jab as a primary weapon within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Far more than a simple lead-hand strike, the jab is taught as a tool for control, timing, distance management, and tactical setup. This course breaks down proper mechanics, structure, and intent behind the jab, showing how it disrupts an opponent, creates openings, and establishes dominance in both offense and defense.

Students will learn how to deliver the jab with speed, accuracy, and purpose, while maintaining balance and readiness to follow up or recover. This lesson reinforces the philosophy of intelligent fighting—using the jab not just to strike, but to think, probe, and dictate the engagement.

Developing your weapons - The Jab

Lesson 4 Weapons - The Jab

In this lesson, students are introduced to the cross as a powerful rear-hand weapon within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. The focus is on proper mechanics, body alignment, and weight transfer to generate maximum power while maintaining balance and control. Emphasis is placed on efficient rotation, structure, and recovery so the cross can be delivered decisively without overcommitting.

Students will learn how the cross functions as both a finishing strike and a follow-up weapon, building on previous lessons in stance, movement, and the jab to create effective combinations and tactical pressure.

Cross Fundamentals

Lesson 5: Weapons – The Cross

In this lesson, students are introduced to the hook as a close-range power weapon within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. The focus is on proper body alignment, rotational mechanics, and maintaining structure while delivering the strike. Emphasis is placed on generating power efficiently without sacrificing balance or control.

Students will learn how the hook functions both offensively and defensively, integrating it with prior weapons and movement concepts to create effective combinations and pressure in realistic fighting situations.

Part 1 - Mechanics and Structure

Lesson 6 – Weapons: The Hook

In this lesson, students are introduced to the power block and counter as an integrated defensive-offensive concept within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Emphasis is placed on maintaining structure while absorbing or redirecting incoming force, then immediately transitioning into an effective counterattack.

Students will learn how proper alignment, timing, and balance allow defense to become an opportunity rather than a retreat. This lesson reinforces the principle that strong defensive positioning creates immediate offensive advantage.

Part 1 – Structure of the Power Block

Lesson 7 – Defense: Power Block and Counter

In this lesson, students learn how to defend against high-line attacks using the high power block while maintaining structure, balance, and guard discipline. Emphasis is placed on proper alignment and force absorption, followed by an immediate and controlled counterattack. This lesson reinforces the principle that strong defensive positioning creates instant offensive opportunity, integrating timing, structure, and efficient transition from defense to strike.

Part 1 – High Power Block: Structure and Alignment

Lesson 8 – Defense: High Power Block & Counter

In this lesson, students learn how to use the weave as an effective defensive movement within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Emphasis is placed on proper body positioning, knee flexion, head path, and structural alignment to safely move under incoming strikes without compromising balance or posture. Students are guided through the mechanics of controlled head movement and how to maintain guard discipline while changing levels.

The lesson progresses from foundational structure to practical application, demonstrating how weaving creates defensive safety while positioning the fighter for immediate counter opportunities. This movement reinforces rhythm, timing, and intelligent defensive control within the larger striking system.

Part 1 – Structure and Purpose of the Weave

Lesson 9 – Defensive Movement: Weaving and Head Positioning

In this lesson, students learn how to generate continuous power by linking lead and rear hooks into fluid striking combinations. Emphasis is placed on proper body mechanics, including hip rotation, weight transfer, and maintaining structural alignment while delivering consecutive hooks. The lesson demonstrates how the hook can be used not only as a single power strike, but as part of a flowing offensive sequence.

Students are guided through the mechanics of pairing hooks while maintaining balance, guard responsibility, and striking rhythm. By understanding how the body transitions between hooks, fighters develop the ability to apply sustained pressure and create openings within combinations while staying structurally sound within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems framework.

Part 1 – Hook Structure and Body Mechanics

Lesson 10 – Pairing Hooks: Power, Timing, and Combination Flow

In this lesson, students learn how to use the slip as a precise defensive movement to evade incoming strikes while maintaining balance and offensive readiness. Emphasis is placed on subtle head movement, proper body alignment, and maintaining guard responsibility while shifting slightly off the center line.

Students are guided through the mechanics of slipping punches while staying in position to immediately counterattack. The lesson demonstrates how efficient defensive movement allows a fighter to avoid strikes without sacrificing structure, positioning, or striking opportunities.

Part 1 – Structure and Mechanics of the Slip

Lesson 11 – Defensive Movement: Slipping

In this lesson, students learn how to execute the front kick as an effective striking and distance-management tool within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Emphasis is placed on proper chamber position, balance, and hip extension to deliver a controlled and efficient kick while maintaining structural alignment.

The lesson demonstrates how the front kick can be used to control range, interrupt forward movement, and create openings for follow-up strikes. By integrating the front kick into the overall striking system, students develop the ability to manage distance while maintaining offensive and defensive readiness.

Lesson 12 Weapons - The Front Kick

Lesson 12 – The Front Kick: Range Control and Interception

In this lesson, students learn how to execute the rear-leg front kick within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Emphasis is placed on proper chamber mechanics, hip drive, and maintaining balance while delivering the kick.

The rear-leg front kick is introduced as a powerful weapon used to control distance, disrupt an opponent’s movement, and create offensive opportunities. By understanding the mechanics and structure behind the kick, students develop the ability to apply the technique with both power and efficiency while remaining defensively responsible.

Lesson 13 – Part 1 Rear-Leg Front Kick Mechanics

Lesson 13 Rear-Leg Front Kick

In this lesson, we introduce the lead round kick, one of the fastest and most versatile kicking techniques in stand-up fighting. Because it originates from the lead leg, this kick can be delivered quickly without telegraphing, making it an effective tool for scoring, disrupting rhythm, and creating openings for follow-up attacks.

This segment focuses on the fundamental mechanics of the lead round kick, including proper stance, chambering, hip rotation, and recovery. Students will learn how to generate speed and accuracy while maintaining balance and structure.

Part 1 - Lead Round Kick Fundamentals

Lesson 14 – The Lead Round Kick

In this segment, students learn the technical foundation of the rear round kick, beginning with the critical role of the pivot and hip rotation. Proper pivoting of the supporting foot allows the hips to open and rotate fully, which is essential for both power and safety when delivering the kick.

The lesson breaks down how the body works together—from the supporting foot to the hips and striking leg—to produce an efficient circular kicking motion. When the pivot, hip rotation, and leg extension are properly coordinated, the rear round kick becomes one of the most powerful weapons in striking.

Technical Breakdown of the Rear Round Kick

Lesson 15 • The Rear Round Kick

In this lesson, students learn how to develop the rear round kick as a powerful and effective striking weapon within the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems. Emphasis is placed on proper body mechanics, hip rotation, pivoting, and balance to generate power while maintaining structural integrity.

Students are guided through the key elements that make the rear round kick both effective and efficient, including how to control the kick’s landing, maintain proper stance during execution, and transition smoothly into follow-up movement or additional strikes. By understanding these principles, practitioners develop the ability to deliver the rear round kick with greater power, control, and tactical effectiveness in both training and sparring situations.

Joe Lewis Fighting Systems

Wesley Farnam

Course content