Correct Punching Technique
Published January 5, 2009 by Martin Bean
The most important elements of punching technique are:
- Footwork
- Balance
- Hand Positioning
- Punch Technique
- Strength and Fitness
- Speed
- Flexibility
- Attitude
Footwork
The positioning of the feet is vital for developing punching power, and also for the ability to move quickly to enable the target to be hit.
Your feet should always approximately shoulder width apart and be placed in a position so that the foot of your weakest hand is at the front and pointing towards your target but offset around 30 degrees.
The backfoot, which should be that of your strongest hand, should always be pointing directly at your target, with the back heel off the ground so that your weight is on the ball of your foot.
When moving forward your feet should move no more than 6 inches, 1 at a time, with the front foot always moving first when moving forwards, the back foot moving first if moving backwards. If moving to the left, the left foot moves first, if moving to the right the right foot moves first.
For a more detailed video of these footwork techniques, it is much easier to understand if you watch my DVD which you can obtain from my website as stated in the author details at the foot of this article.
Balance
Your weight balance is vital when throwing a punch. The reason for this is that incorrect balance leads to substantial loss of power, also leaves you vulnerable to attack if you are off-balance before, or after throwing the punch.
When throwing a punch with power, the weight always starts off from being equally balanced on both feet, to the weight being transferred from the back to the front foot, via a pivotal motion. This develops power into the punch by utilising the weight of the body and transferring this weight into the fist.
Hand Positioning
The position of the hands are vital for correct punching technique. The hands should always be upright to maximise speed and also to protect the vulnerable head from being attacked.
When the fist hits the target, it should be hit with the ring finger knuckle, punching through the target as if you were punching a hole in a glass window. The idea is not to 'tap' the target, but to punch through the target, to develop maximum punching power.
Punch Technique
There are various punches that can be thrown:
Left Jab, Left hook, Left Uppercut, Right Jab, Right hook, Right Uppercut, Left and Right hooks to body, Straight Left and Right hands to the body are the most common shots in the arsenal of the pugilist.
Feet position and balance vary considerably for each of these different types of punch Again, watching my video would help enormously, or buying various books would help you to study these very specific techniques.
Strength and Fitness
Personal Strength and Fitness always helps maximise punching technique and power, so rigorous training sessions can be set up to help you develop extra strength and power, which also helps with timing of the punch too.
Speed
By increasing your speed of punches, this will help develop power and also the hinder your opponents ability to 'see' the punch coming, and thus unable to 'slip' of avoid the punch.
Speed is obtained by practise, practise, practise. Nothing boosts speed more than practise, whether its in front of a mirror or hitting a punchbag.
Personal Fitness also helps boost punching speed, along with the ability to 'slip' and avoid being hit yourself.
Flexibility
The more flexible the body, the more power it can generate from its muscles. Also the more flexible you are, the faster the body can act in attack or defense
Flexibility is vital in the art of 'slipping' punches, as well as improving the bodies rotational speed for transferring body weight into the punch.
Attitude
This widely overlooked aspect of punching is another vital element of your technique.
It is important to remember that the purpose of punching is to HURT someone in order that they won't hurt you!
It is vital that you adopt an MEAN ATTITUDE when punching, so that helps to develop power, Always remembering that you are trying to knock them out before they knock you out!
There are many good boxing manuals out there, and I have published a DVD which can be purchased on my website if you wish to take your studies to a more realistic level.
Marcus Reid is a professional boxing coach, licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control since 1994. He has boxed himself and trained boxers of all standards, from the young schoolboy/schoolgirl, to the more advanced pro's.
His website is available at http://www.PunchLikeMikeTyson.com where you can purchase a copy of his DVD giving a more in depth tuition that can be followed in your own time and home.
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