Adding power to the punch?

Adding power to the punch?

by Justin M. Salvato

From time to time, I get asked about how to punch harder.  Punching "hard" has little to do with strength.  Power is the key.  A common idea you'll hear from people in the gym is that you're either born with power or you're not.  I don't have much power, but I have been able to make the most of what little I have. 

To improve your power, you have to punch CORRECTLY.  Too often I find people just throwing punches with their arms.  A properly thrown punch uses your whole body.  Pay attention to the following clip of the cross:

Notice how the whole body turns into the punch.  It all starts at the feet. 

1. Drive off the rear foot

2. Turn the leg & hip

3. Rotate your upper body & shoulders

4. Extend the arm fully

If you can do these steps, simultaneously, that is, at the same time, you will be getting the most power into the punch.  What you are essentially doing is putting the entire weight of your body into the punch.  This doesn't only apply to the cross.  You can apply this to the hook as well. 

The only difference being that you have to twist the front side of the body into the punch, not the rear. Either way, the side of the body with the arm you are throwing the power punch with has to pivot, twist or turn into the punch to improve your power.