Snapping vs. Driving-Thru Punches?

[Teriasn]

Are these mutually exclusive concepts? I find I naturally want to drive all the way through when working pads but 'snapping' one's punches seems to be the most common advice given.

 

[BrokenNose]

Do you drive or do you snap? Yes.

It's kind of a combination of both. What I define "driving through" is just aiming and punching a little past the target. The snapping of the punch is when you pull it back, so your arm doesn't just dangle in mid air for 2 minutes. Essentially drive the punch, and then snap it back.

Or at least I think.

 

[Nuclearlandmine]

IMO, most of the time snapping punches are more used to increase a chance of a cut
while driving thru is for more direct damage (Bas Rutten actually discouraged snapping punches while encouraged drive-thru punches in one of his videos). Either way, it is up to personal perference and style though. Probably the most common type of punches is a hybrid of both concept.

 

[KingJables]

I use snapping punches to create openings and read my opponent. I use them to see where your opponent moves there hands when hit. After you begin reading your opponents movement habits you throw a few driving punches when the opening is there. A countered driving punch is easier to capitalize on then a countered snapping punch because after the driving punch the puncher is usually out of position. Being out of position by even the slightest amount will leave you open to a accurate striker.

 

[Goateechicken]

Essentially drive the punch, and then snap it back.

What he said ^
Especially in ground and pound

 

[rossc]

Snapping is definitely the way to go. That way you unleash the full force of your punch over a short period of time on your target rather than diffusing that force over a longer period (following through with a punch).

Think about it as if you are catching a baseball. If you catch it dead on it's more painful than if you move your hand back as the ball makes contact since the force is spread out over a longer period of time.

It's the same as how rolling with a punch reduces the severity of it.

Also, think about when you hit the heavybag. If you snap your punches the bag shakes and rattles violently, whereas if you follow through it just moves the bag back further instead.

When you land a punch to the face you want to achieve that rattling, potentially concusive effect in your opponent's brain.

Snapping back a punch is also advantageous from a defensive standpoint, reducing the time an opponent has to counter, and gives you more stability than if you're trying to follow through heavily on your strikes.

 

[mrpopenfresh]

Well, I guess you can snap a jab for range, and drive through for a power jab. You just got to adapt it to different situations.

 

[rossc]

The snap principle still applies for either application of the jab. In a power jab you just step into the punch. You can also add more torque from your body as well.

 

[Connoisseur]

I don't like the whole "drive through" the punch concept, I think it tends to make newer people push their punches, especially on the bag. "Snap" refers to what happens at the end of your punch, when your arm fully extends and you turn your punch over. The "Snap" or "Pop" you get into your punches dictates whether it will be a powerful or a weak punch. If you're stiff and don't get any snap into your punches, you won't have any power.

Realistically, you should strive to get good pop into all of your punches. By "drive through" your punches, perhaps your coach is telling you to fully rotate your hips and extend your punch.

 

[Deleted member 256494]

good tips in this thread. I think I am guilty of pushing my punches. I am going to try to snap them. I want to see that bag rattle violently tomorrow.

 

[Connoisseur]

^Exactly. If the bag is shaking vigorously, then you've probably got some good snap. Conversely, if it's swinging every which way, it probably means you're pushing the punch and you need to readjust the distance you're at or get more pop into your strikes.

 

[rossc]

good tips in this thread. I think I am guilty of pushing my punches. I am going to try to snap them. I want to see that bag rattle violently tomorrow.

Do it! A lot of people are guilty of falling into the trap of trying to get the bag to swing back and forth instead. It's an easy trap to fall into and promotes 'pushing' rather than snapping.

If you do it right it won't swing back so much as it'll kind of jump / shake. It's as good an indicator as any that you're hitting the bag correctly.

 

[Mentallooser]

both.

 

[chino0503]

theres a time for both. when you punch thru you add more impact but sacrifice defense.

when you snap punches you can still pop the shit out of someone. for the mere fact that if you get good at it, you can punch people without them seeing it coming. without over shooting, getting off balance and putting yourself in a bad position to get hit.

its easier to punch thru the target. takes alot more practice and skills to snap punches.

so to sum it up. punching thru is more easy to do, has more power but uses more gas. snapping punches takes more practice but is more efficient as far as defense and energy is concerned.

 

[CokeBoyz]

Dont push your punches. Let them snap on impact for the most part. But for certain punches, like overhand rights I like to drive thru.

 

[ssullivan80]

Snap through your punches, drive through an opponent after a punch is done with the body, not the punch. In short, snap the punch through, then drive into or push through the opponent with the body, not the punch!

 

[SAAMAG]

^^^ WC uses a "nail and hammer" analogy for this. The punch is the nail and the body is the hammer. Pretty much spot on in my opinion.

With respect to MT, the punches should be whipping punches from the shoulder--so more snap to them. Boxing punches will be done a bit differently with more body and leg in them.

So speed and snap with arms, drive with body. Both are necessary.

 

[akabadnews]

I don't like the whole "drive through" the punch concept, I think it tends to make newer people push their punches, especially on the bag. "Snap" refers to what happens at the end of your punch, when your arm fully extends and you turn your punch over. The "Snap" or "Pop" you get into your punches dictates whether it will be a powerful or a weak punch. If you're stiff and don't get any snap into your punches, you won't have any power.

Realistically, you should strive to get good pop into all of your punches. By "drive through" your punches, perhaps your coach is telling you to fully rotate your hips and extend your punch.

Same. I'm new to MMA (<1 year) and I still have a habit of pushing my punches. It was how I always thought to put more weight behind them before I got any kind of training. And I definitely get caught out with more than enough counter punches/uppercuts in the gym. Working on it.

 

[RandMcnally]

i always get my coach mad when i lazily push punches without snap. Always throw a snappy punch as it hits harder and brings your hand back into defensive position. if you don't snap it and push it through, you are leaving your face unguarded susceptible for a counter punch. your hand should imitate a rubber band, it should go back where it started.

 

[ssullivan80]

Same. I'm new to MMA (<1 year) and I still have a habit of pushing my punches. It was how I always thought to put more weight behind them before I got any kind of training. And I definitely get caught out with more than enough counter punches/uppercuts in the gym. Working on it.

how to get your weight into a punch is to be anchored, set those feet, drop into your stance nice and heavy and use the core/hips/shoulders to drive the punch, but make sure your maintaining that base...... if you get up on your tippie toes, your gonna push the shot and fall into it........