Common mistakes that leach power from punches.

[eternaldarkness]

1. leaning too far forward. if you lean too far past your centre of mass it disengages the weight of your lower body.
2. incorrect alignment. eg. flaring the elbow or shitty wrist posture/strength. for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. if you don't have good alignment a large amount of power "leaks" at the joints.
3. insufficient weigh transferal. if your weight is over your left foot you cannot throw a hard right. it is as simple as that. the same goes for the left hook. that is where the pivot thing comes in. i don't really believe that though because if i have most of my weight on the back foot i still can't throw a decent left hook no matter how much i try to pivot the lead foot. the pivot is meant to facilitate the transferal of weight, but you still need to have the weight set on the same foot as the hand your punching with. about 100% of you weight if you want to punch at maximum power. you can nearly always tell which hand is stronger by what foot your opponent keeps their weight over.
4. reaching with punches. straight punches reach maximum acceleration about two thirds of the way through the motion, that is why you rotate the fist, it keeps the punch accelerating until the point of impact. damage is caused by the amount of time force is applied to an object. put simply the more you punch through a target the more damage it does.
one of the most important things to remember in boxing is a lot of punching technique is taught for defensive purposes rather than generating maximum force. that is why a lot of people are a bit confused by a guy like marciano, he breaks a lot of rules their coach has taught them because his main concern was power. that is why he punched so far through the target and didn't really bother bringing his punches straight back to guard. he is the dead opposite to mayweather who actually sacrifices power (follow through) in order to regain his guard. from what i have seen the only time floyd becomes hittable is when he starts really committing to his punches.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

5. not sitting down on punches
6. posture straight up or backwards like most kickboxers
7. being tense, feeling tense, wanting to be tense. It "feels" powerful but does the opposite. Most people are addicted to this
8. training till you're sore/stiff.

People watch action movies like Rocky and take it for gospel. Do everything the opposite of how Rocky did and you will get awesome results

 

[eternaldarkness]

5. not sitting down on punches
6. posture straight up or backwards like most kickboxers
7. being tense, feeling tense, wanting to be tense. It "feels" powerful but does the opposite. Most people are addicted to this
8. training till you're sore/stiff.

People watch action movies like Rocky and take it for gospel. Do everything the opposite of how Rocky did and you will get awesome results

couldn't agree more. i would also like to add excessive output (throwing at a high volume) tends to decrease power. you either sprint or you jog, you can't sprint for a long distance, and it tends to lead to lowering the power for the sake of repetition. the way YCM was hitting the bag is great for working on power, but you shouldn't do it too often as is starts to create defensive flaws. (not controlling range enough and not bringing the guard straight back)
number 5 is essentially the same as my number 3 though (sitting down on punches is just a term used for bending the knees and transferring more weight off the ground)
i should have listed your number 7 as number one as it is by far one of the most common mistakes inexperienced people make.

 

[eternaldarkness]

i though another interesting trick of physics, is to slow the punch down. that way you will always be accelerating on impact. sounds kinda stupid, but it works and it is how i begin all power sessions on the bag. once you feel all your weight transferring smoothly with the punch then you start increasing the acceleration (effort) applied to each strike. the very first thing i show people when punching is more weigh less effort. i can usually nearly double the power of a beginners punch and add a good 20-30% to more experienced peoples punches, using this method.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

couldn't agree more. i would also like to add excessive output (throwing at a high volume) tends to decrease power. you either sprint or you jog, you can't sprint for a long distance, and it tends to lead to lowering the power for the sake of repetition. the way YCM was hitting the bag is great for working on power, but you shouldn't do it too often as is starts to create defensive flaws. (not controlling range enough and not bringing the guard straight back)
number 5 is essentially the same as my number 3 though (sitting down on punches is just a term used for bending the knees and transferring more weight off the ground)
i should have listed your number 7 as number one as it is by far one of the most common mistakes inexperienced people make.

Very good point I didn't think of. Not just training but also in the ring. You don't see power punchers (Foreman, Shavers, Norton, etc.) do volume. IF they did, they would have to quit in a few rounds and the power would also fail as it went on.

#5 is definitely a part of #3, a very important technical detail that often gets overlooked or goes out the window when training/doing, even by some pros. People think they're transferring weight just stepping from one foot to the other, maybe also pivoting, but of course there's more to it than that or else everyone would/could be a great puncher in a few days

I guess it should be expected that some of the numbers will naturally overlap as they're all connected, blending into the same goal and result

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

i though another interesting trick of physics, is to slow the punch down. that way you will always be accelerating on impact. sounds kinda stupid, but it works and it is how i begin all power sessions on the bag. once you feel all your weight transferring smoothly with the punch then you start increasing the acceleration (effort) applied to each strike. the very first thing i show people when punching is more weigh less effort. i can usually nearly double the power of a beginners punch and add a good 20-30% to more experienced peoples punches, using this method.

This is great stuff.

This is what everyone hopes they get when they get a trainer. A trainer who thinks critically and can get demonstrable improvement from a beginner right off the bat. Gems like this are not common

 

[eternaldarkness]

Very good point I didn't think of. Not just training but also in the ring. You don't see power punchers (Foreman, Shavers, Norton, etc.) do volume. IF they did, they would have to quit in a few rounds and the power would also fail as it went on.

#5 is definitely a part of #3, a very important technical detail that often gets overlooked or goes out the window when training/doing, even by some pros. People think they're transferring weight just stepping from one foot to the other, maybe also pivoting, but of course there's more to it than that or else everyone would/could be a great puncher in a few days

I guess it should be expected that some of the numbers will naturally overlap as they're all connected, blending into the same goal and result

that is one of the interesting things about marciano. he was one of the few fighters that maintained both output and power. i think it had a bit to do with the fact that he used more weight than acceleration to create power. also he didn't use any energy reeling his punches in, he would just throw another punch and roll with it as defence rather than recovering his guard.

 

[eternaldarkness]

This is great stuff.

This is what everyone hopes they get when they get a trainer. A trainer who thinks critically and can get demonstrable improvement from a beginner right off the bat. Gems like this are not common

it has a lot to do with me being more of a punching specialist than a boxing coach. although like i said earlier to much focus on power can lead to defensive deficiencies. this is the main reason most amateur coaches place a lot more emphasis on good form (fast recovery of the guard) output and cardio. it's a whole different world in pro boxing or mma and power and efficiency become more important than output and form.

 

[eternaldarkness]

physics dictates that the strongest punch is not the one throw from the chin (watch manny's left hand), it's just that is the most defensively sound position to punch from. it also reduces the distance the punch travels, significantly increasing it's chances of landing.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

it has a lot to do with me being more of a punching specialist than a boxing coach. although like i said earlier to much focus on power can lead to defensive deficiencies. this is the main reason most amateur coaches place a lot more emphasis on good form (fast recovery of the guard) output and cardio. it's a whole different world in pro boxing or mma and power and efficiency become more important than output and form.

It's a shame more coaches aren't punching specialists. I think that's what most people actually want.

THEN after they've mastered a punch, then they feel they can improve on the other things with confidence but if you don't have a nice sweet punch to start off with, exactly how well can you use the rest before you master the whole thing entirely? It does make a lot of logical sense. I really think people should be taught that first (or at least as one of the first things) for practicality reasons. They want to defend themselves from muggers and bullies ASAP, not dodge their punches with better than average ability until one lands

 

[eternaldarkness]

i have had an obsession with punching power since i started martial arts (about twenty years ago) that is how i now a few useful gems when it comes to increasing power. i am also aware that too much focus on power can leave you horribly vulnerable to the counter. kostya zu was sometimes guilty of this, he would get caught with counters loading up his own big right. louis also got dropped several times doing the same thing. you are creating the force for them, even if they are relatively light punchers.

 

[eternaldarkness]

It's a shame more coaches aren't punching specialists. I think that's what most people actually want.

THEN after they've mastered a punch, then they feel they can improve on the other things with confidence but if you don't have a nice sweet punch to start off with, exactly how well can you use the rest before you master the whole thing entirely? It does make a lot of logical sense. I really think people should be taught that first (or at least as one of the first things) for practicality reasons. They want to defend themselves from muggers and bullies ASAP, not dodge their punches with better than average ability until one lands

when it comes to self defence, punching power is the be all and end all. the old school karate masters were aware of this fact.

 

[YoungCashMoney]

Very good point I didn't think of. Not just training but also in the ring. You don't see power punchers (Foreman, Shavers, Norton, etc.) do volume. IF they did, they would have to quit in a few rounds and the power would also fail as it went on.

#5 is definitely a part of #3, a very important technical detail that often gets overlooked or goes out the window when training/doing, even by some pros. People think they're transferring weight just stepping from one foot to the other, maybe also pivoting, but of course there's more to it than that or else everyone would/could be a great puncher in a few days

I guess it should be expected that some of the numbers will naturally overlap as they're all connected, blending into the same goal and result

That's probably more of a heavyweight thing, theres some real power punchers in the lower weight classes that throw over a thousand punches a fight if it gets that far. Marcos Maidana had a ridiculous output against Floyd in the first fight, Chocolatito just kept pouring it on, the kid that fought this weekend on HBO jaime munguia had an extremely abnormal level of conditioning, quite ridiculous how he was able to keep coming with explosive power throughout his fight.

Then of course u got the legends like Pacman who in his prime was dishing out over 100 punches a round with most of them being power punches with real sting on em.

A common mistake people make that loses power is the belief that pushing the punch through the target will add power. This is true to a certain extent, you need to snap through the target though, not push. I see a lotta guys push their punches when a quick snap will have alot more of an effect.

Also of course the belief that you need to be completely set to deliver power, if you got a good rhythm and sense of timing, you can maximize power the same way as sitting completely down on the punch by timing the weight transfer between bounces.

Then there is just the belief factor that we were just talking about eternal darkness, if u believe ur a bad mf that got a mean punch, odds are that belief will show in the punch itself and in the ring. If you believe you can't punch, U probbaly won't ever deliver a decent strike because of how ur mind is already prepared to throw it.

 

[eternaldarkness]

That's probably more of a heavyweight thing, theres some real power punchers in the lower weight classes that throw over a thousand punches a fight if it gets that far. Marcos Maidana had a ridiculous output against Floyd in the first fight, Chocolatito just kept pouring it on, the kid that fought this weekend on HBO jaime munguia had an extremely abnormal level of conditioning, quite ridiculous how he was able to keep coming with explosive power throughout his fight.

Then of course u got the legends like Pacman who in his prime was dishing out over 100 punches a round with most of them being power punches with real sting on em.

A common mistake people make that loses power is the belief that pushing the punch through the target will add power. This is true to a certain extent, you need to snap through the target though, not push. I see a lotta guys push their punches when a quick snap will have alot more of an effect.

Also of course the belief that you need to be completely set to deliver power, if you got a good rhythm and sense of timing, you can maximize power the same way as sitting completely down on the punch by timing the weight transfer between bounces.

Then there is just the belief factor that we were just talking about eternal darkness, if u believe ur a bad mf that got a mean punch, odds are that belief will show in the punch itself and in the ring. If you believe you can't punch, U probbaly won't ever deliver a decent strike because of how ur mind is already prepared to throw it.

excellent point you make here. some fighters and able to generate great power without noticeably setting their weight. matthew saad muhammed, chavez and zarate all come to mind when you mention that. they are still transferring all their weight it is just a lot more subtly than some fighters. what you mentioned here is the same reason boxing trainers always cite timing over power.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

That's probably more of a heavyweight thing, theres some real power punchers in the lower weight classes that throw over a thousand punches a fight if it gets that far. Marcos Maidana had a ridiculous output against Floyd in the first fight, Chocolatito just kept pouring it on, the kid that fought this weekend on HBO jaime munguia had an extremely abnormal level of conditioning, quite ridiculous how he was able to keep coming with explosive power throughout his fight.

Then of course u got the legends like Pacman who in his prime was dishing out over 100 punches a round with most of them being power punches with real sting on em.

Yeah I wasn't going to get into that but you are right. It's the heavy punchers that can't go hi-volume, but the FAST heavy punchers often can-- because their power is a result largely from the speed they generate. Speed kills just as good if not better than a slow heavy punch. I've noticed that even Floyd Jr who isn't known for hard punches (because genetically fragile family hands), even when he throws a fast one, everyone no matter how tough backs right off when they get zinged by it because it still messes them up enough to start them getting wobbly even if it doesn't KO them, they never just eat it and continue forward. They always go defensive and retreat for a bit because although some people can take some heavy punches, no one eats speed very well

A common mistake people make that loses power is the belief that pushing the punch through the target will add power. This is true to a certain extent, you need to snap through the target though, not push. I see a lotta guys push their punches when a quick snap will have alot more of an effect.

This is a vital one. No one believes it because they can't see or feel or imagine it as easily as being stiff or pushing stuff which is much simpler and easier to feel/conceptualize.

Also of course the belief that you need to be completely set to deliver power, if you got a good rhythm and sense of timing, you can maximize power the same way as sitting completely down on the punch by timing the weight transfer between bounces.

Then there is just the belief factor that we were just talking about eternal darkness, if u believe ur a bad mf that got a mean punch, odds are that belief will show in the punch itself and in the ring. If you believe you can't punch, U probbaly won't ever deliver a decent strike because of how ur mind is already prepared to throw it.

Another very useful couple things you may never hear to learn from after going to a gym for years and years.

In the Hopkins youtube vid with him talking to Rashad Evans, he covered that even a lot of pro boxers think that you have to be set to throw a punch and he disproved it. Timing beats all when it comes to effect, as long as one knows and can calculate what they are doing.

The reason I listed sitting down is because not sitting down does leach power from punches if you haven't learned to do it like a lot of people haven't. After someone has mastered the basics, then they can bend or break the rules but far too many never get that sitting down detail.

Glad you brought up the mental aspect-- its huge. At some point, all the technical jargon can only go so far and you must use your mind in abstract ways to help you perform better, get over that basic plateau. Agreed 1000%

when it comes to self defence, punching power is the be all and end all. the old school karate masters were aware of this fact.

Of course not, but it IS the thing every beginner wants to know first (the thing they hope they're paying for). And it is somewhat logical to build around that, in a practical sense. If you can't throw a dangerous/effective punch as a beginner, what good are your chances against someone bigger (most attackers are stronger/bigger) who can throw one? As a beginner, remember. Their paranoia is on point this time.

 

[eternaldarkness]

Yeah I wasn't going to get into that but you are right. It's the heavy punchers that can't go hi-volume, but the FAST heavy punchers can-- because their power is a result largely from the speed they generate. Speed kills just as good if not better than a slow heavy punch. I've noticed that even Floyd Jr who isn't known for hard punches (because genetically fragile family hands), even when he throws a fast one, everyone no matter how tough backs right off when they get zinged by it because it still messes them up enough to start them getting wobbly even if it doesn't KO them, they never just eat it and continue forward. They always go defensive and retreat for a bit because although some people can take some heavy punches, no one eats speed very well



This is a vital one. No one believes it because they can't see or feel or imagine it as easily as being stiff or pushing stuff which is much simpler and easier to feel/conceptualize.



Another very useful couple things you may never hear to learn from after going to a gym for years and years. The mental aspect is huge. At some point, all the technical jargon can only go so far and you must use your mind in abstract ways to help you perform better, get over that basic plateau



Of course not, but it IS the thing every beginner wants to know first (the thing they hope they're paying for). And it is somewhat logical to build around that, in a practical sense. If you can't throw a dangerous/effective punch as a beginner, what good are your chances against someone bigger (most attackers are stronger/bigger) who can throw one? As a beginner, remember. Their paranoia is on point this time.

i kinda disagree on this one. the most important thing in self defence is situational awareness, the next is having a knock out strike. this isn't theory, this comes from too much experience. never once have i used boxing skills (apart from a basic smother) in a street fight. rarely do you ever have the time or space to employ boxing tactics. here is an interesting fact, i have probably thrown no more than a half a dozen good uppercuts in proper boxing in nearly 15 years (leaves you open if your out of position), but i have thrown probably 30-40 in a half a dozen street fights.

 

[Reyesnuthugr]

i kinda disagree on this one. the most important thing in self defence is situational awareness, the next is having a knock out strike. this isn't theory, this comes from too much experience. never once have i used boxing skills (apart from a basic smother) in a street fight. rarely do you ever have the time or space to employ boxing tactics. here is an interesting fact, i have probably thrown no more than a half a dozen good uppercuts in proper boxing in nearly 15 years (leaves you open if your out of position), but i have thrown probably 30-40 in a half a dozen street fights.

You're not wrong but neither is the beginner. One's own abilities figure into situational awareness calculations, they can also learn both at the same time. Crafting a punch shouldn't cause any negatives to the learning of other areas when learning boxing. Being able to punch well gives them a better understanding of what is coming at them, so helps them identify and be better prepared to read it before/when it comes.

Not having a decent punch while learning the other areas is somewhat of a downer for understandable reasons. For self-esteem alone I think it's important for most beginners, even if not #1 important technically.

 

[eternaldarkness]

You're not wrong but neither is the beginner. One's own abilities figure into situational awareness calculations, they can also learn both at the same time. Not having a decent punch while learning the other areas is somewhat of a downer for understandable reasons. For self-esteem alone I think it's important for most beginners, even if not #1 important technically.

probably a rather acute summation things.

 

[eternaldarkness]

That's probably more of a heavyweight thing, theres some real power punchers in the lower weight classes that throw over a thousand punches a fight if it gets that far. Marcos Maidana had a ridiculous output against Floyd in the first fight, Chocolatito just kept pouring it on, the kid that fought this weekend on HBO jaime munguia had an extremely abnormal level of conditioning, quite ridiculous how he was able to keep coming with explosive power throughout his fight.

Then of course u got the legends like Pacman who in his prime was dishing out over 100 punches a round with most of them being power punches with real sting on em.

A common mistake people make that loses power is the belief that pushing the punch through the target will add power. This is true to a certain extent, you need to snap through the target though, not push. I see a lotta guys push their punches when a quick snap will have alot more of an effect.

Also of course the belief that you need to be completely set to deliver power, if you got a good rhythm and sense of timing, you can maximize power the same way as sitting completely down on the punch by timing the weight transfer between bounces.

Then there is just the belief factor that we were just talking about eternal darkness, if u believe ur a bad mf that got a mean punch, odds are that belief will show in the punch itself and in the ring. If you believe you can't punch, U probbaly won't ever deliver a decent strike because of how ur mind is already prepared to throw it.

something that is decelerating on impact with the target is a push by definition. an object must be accelerating on impact to be considered a strike. this is the snap you are talking about, if a punch isn't accelerating it is just a push with the knuckles. its a weird trick of physics and don't quote me on it, but an object that is traveling at slightly slower speed but is still accelerating, imparts more force than a faster moving object that is slowing down. maybe someone more educated than me like @Sano can provide the proper equation for it.

 

[ironkhan57]

I learnt so much in 10 mins on here then any article on the internet.