Keeping your hands farther from your face?

i know in other martial arts you do keep your hands quite a distance in front of you, i think the logic being that if you have your hands near your face (like in boxing) you cant block any shots and it means that someone could get really close to your face

 

Did some more sparring this week with this style. Continue to like it. One of the things I like about it, is that I have a better feel for range. With the left extended more and even the right off from my face, I just have a better sense of distance than before. And my vision is less impaired.

 

Lennox Lewis also used this style to great effect.

 

One of the benefits of keeping the left out ahead and then the right on your cheek is also that you have the chance to block at two ranges, if you don't react fast enough to a punch with your left you still have the chance to cuff the punch away with your right.

 

having your hands/arms away from you body also aids in balance IMO. What do you instinctivly do when someone pushes you off balance? You try to correct yourself by using your arms. Having your arms out there help.

Plus, I think it helps so you dont reach as much when you punch and over-commit.

Downside is that you lose power. But save your power shot for when you are in close, this style should only be used at LONG range.