How to get max power into your punches?

[eternaldarkness]

all lot of very technical answers about physics, that say fuck all about putting some mustard in ya mitts. and it not always simple as going to your local boxing club. most amateur boxing trainers are more concerned about defence and form not generating the most force.

 

[eternaldarkness]

as several people have already stated its all about the mass x acceleration thing. most people really try to over to overcomplicate punching technique. if i asked you to pick up a rock and throw it would you have to think about it? a good punch is much the same. forget all about that hip rotation bullshit, if you transfer you weight properly the hip rotates naturally, start thinking about it and the punch goes to shit. and besides that a great punch starts from the floor not your hip or shoulder. Explosive transferal of weight is the key.

 

[eternaldarkness]

Some tips to improve power (and hitting the weights is not one of them, in fact it is usually detrimental as it is more about muscle isolation, the opposite of a good punch which is all about coordination). put all of your weight on the side you intend to punch with, if you are orthodox and want to throw the right put all your weight on your back foot, this is "sitting down" on your punches, bend at the knees (nothing destroys punching power like standing too upright or having your weight over the wrong foot as you throw a punch). relax you shoulders (a lot of people shrug or jam up in the shoulders, this is where arm punching starts, as soon as you lean in too much or jam the shoulders you are not using the weight in your lower body. stay relaxed and hit with weight not muscle tension (getting tense slows the punch on impact turning it into a push, acceleration on impact is the key (that is why an overhand is so effective, circular momentum means it is always accelerating). i have a heaps more tips and ways to improve power but you will get sick of reading before i get sick of raving about throwing a good punch.

 

[eternaldarkness]

a lot of poor quality amateur boxing trainers will tell you that you need punch straight, pivot twist and all this sort of shit, if you want to punch hard. this is all complete bullshit, straight punches work because they get there first, not because they generate the most impact. and that is coming from someone who's favourite weapon is the straight right. it takes more skill to throw really hard straight punches than it does to throw hard hooks or overhands. also straight punches lose most of their power if the opponent is backing up. they are most effective is your opponent is stepping in throwing wide punches.

 

[panamaican]

On the more technical side, it's not just about force generation or power but where those things are at the time of contact. Remembering that the arm starts slowing down as it closer to full extension. And that maximum power into your punches rarely means throwing full power punches with no regard to defensive soundness or recovery.

Which mostly circles back to the idea that you should stop worrying about max power in your punches and focus on maximizing technique in the application of tose punches. You can add "power" by getting bigger or getting stronger.

 

[ssullivan80]

Give me some advice on how to maximise your power potential?

Namaste

You've got both scientific and some practical advice on maximizing your "power", but because you specifically asked how to maximize your "power potential" ........ Then I'd say it has far more to do with timing, as a well timed shot uses both your force and that of your opponents. So along with learning how to throw technically correct punches you'd want to spend time on learning your ideal range, as your "power potential" is contingent on being in that ideal range...... which requires footwork....... So, the best way to maximize your "power potential" is to develop technique, range control and footwork..... then of of course you'll probably want to account for the other guy trying to hit you as well, so defense becomes paramount.

In short, if you define your "power potential" as how hard you can hit a static object (heavy bag) then the answer is far simpler (bigger, faster, stronger) than it is when introducing all the other variables an opponent presents.... Hence, the "sweet science"!

 

[CamMan14]

90% of punching power is genetic. You'll never go from being feather-fisted to being a huge hitter.
But there are a few things that can make you gain that extra bit of power, for example:
-Punch through the target.
-Focus on using hips.
-Punch correctly, landing with the knuckles rather than the palm whilst throwing a hook etc.

 

[rmongler]

The most important quality for knockout punches is accuracy with punches.

When you can punch flies out of the air like the autumn breeze, then you will be ready young grasshoppa.