Right straight question...

[Freestyler]

As some of you remember, i posted a video sometime back of me on the heavy bag. The biggest problem was my elbow on my right straight kept coming out. I took about a month break from bag work b/c of vacation, hockey started, school. I'm back in. Now my question...I love the 1-2, Left jab to Right straight but obv. still need my straight down. When i throw the straight, should my shoulder hit my cheek or come close. I know vitor reccomends it in his video for protection, but im also wandering if this will help me keep it straighter. Thanks guys.

 

[Kamehameha]

well, when we teach newbies, we tell them to keep their chin tucked into their shoulder for the sake that they start off w/ straight punches instead of wild haymakers. But when u get more experienced, throwing it so close to your head isn't teh best way, u lose leverage b/c it's TOO tight and it's just wrong. Look at the best power punchers (the two walking textbooks in correct power punching, Tyson and especially Trinidad, imo) and their arms aren't so close that they'd scrape their cheek.

rule of thumb is that a right straight is called such for a reason, cuz it goes in straight and not in a wild looping angle like so many punk streetfighters. If u throw it straight, it should be fine and you won't have to worry about it being too close or far to your body.

 

[Freestyler]

well, when we teach newbies, we tell them to keep their chin tucked into their shoulder for the sake that they start off w/ straight punches instead of wild haymakers. But when u get more experienced, throwing it so close to your head isn't teh best way, u lose leverage b/c it's TOO tight and it's just wrong. Look at the best power punchers (the two walking textbooks in correct power punching, Tyson and especially Trinidad, imo) and their arms aren't so close that they'd scrape their cheek.

rule of thumb is that a right straight is called such for a reason, cuz it goes in straight and not in a wild looping angle like so many punk streetfighters. If u throw it straight, it should be fine and you won't have to worry about it being too close or far to your body.

Thanks. Im still a newb with little higher level then me, but not pro, guidance. My straight is was a wild angle and im just starting to focus on keep in straight. I will keep it close then hopefully improve as i go. I also fully understand the whole street fighting thing. Thanks.

 

[TwIsTeD&BrOkEn]

do you actually have a coach, or are you trying to learn from videos.....you need a coach.

 

[Kamehameha]

Thanks. Im still a newb with little higher level then me, but not pro, guidance. My straight is was a wild angle and im just starting to focus on keep in straight. I will keep it close then hopefully improve as i go. I also fully understand the whole street fighting thing. Thanks.

yeah man, just try and keep it straight and snappy. When u throw it out, snap it right back, which is key to making sure the punch isn't some wild haymaker. Also remember to be explosive, and not try and punch like a clumsy sledgehammer, instead think more along the lines of a whip.

 

[Vovchanchyn Fan]

One thing my coach used to emphasize that may help you with your straights, is that the punch is thrown by/initiated with your shoulder, not by your fist. It took a while to sink in (since most people mentally think about moving their fist as how to throw a punch)...but its correct.

For straights - your shoulder throws the punch, the fist just goes along for the ride. If you mentally reverse the common way of thinking (namely about moving your fist) and focus on initiating with your shoulders and let your arm snap out from there, I believe you'll find it a lot easier to develop a strong straight punch and it may help to correct the elbow flare you are (correctly) concerned about.

 

[Spoonman7]

it is good advice, any good jab the shoulder will touch the chin, the right straight doesn't have too, but it is good practice.

 

[aljeffery]

One thing my coach used to emphasize that may help you with your straights, is that the punch is thrown by/initiated with your shoulder, not by your fist. It took a while to sink in (since most people mentally think about moving their fist as how to throw a punch)...but its correct.

For straights - your shoulder throws the punch, the fist just goes along for the ride. If you mentally reverse the common way of thinking (namely about moving your fist) and focus on initiating with your shoulders and let your arm snap out from there, I believe you'll find it a lot easier to develop a strong straight punch and it may help to correct the elbow flare you are (correctly) concerned about.

I can see that you ensure the punch is more powerful if you put the shoulder into it. But when you say start with the shoulder, doesn

 

[Kamehameha]

but don't put too much emphasis on the shoulder, as it is the hips and legs that the power is derived from. Explosive technique is what it's all about, the twist from the hips, anchored w/ your legs bent (but not too much obviously), and the snappiness of the punch itself.

but it is a good point on thinking of the shoulder to keep the punch straight..........just don't forget about the rest of the body.

 

[Freestyler]

but it is a good point on thinking of the shoulder to keep the punch straight..........just don't forget about the rest of the body.

Yea for the most part my whole thought process of utilizing your body is good. I understand all that. I was just askin about the flare but im gettin there !

 

[Vovchanchyn Fan]

as it is the hips and legs that the power is derived from

Yes, for sure - I should clarify my comments above by noting that I'm just focusing on the upper half of the equation, or the upper torso portion (since thats where he seems to be having more difficulty). I was assuming the lower half (legs/hips) is already being done properly.

But when you say start with the shoulder, doesn