Page 39 - Fighting Fit: Boxing, Workouts, Techniques, and Sparring
P. 39

Punches



           piece torquing action.The arm does not move indepen-
           dently of the whole. Like a gate swinging around its
           hinged post, this punch is powered by leg, hips, back
           and everything else in the barn.When it’s thrown prop-
           erly, it’s one of the mighty weapons in boxing and is
           held in very high esteem.

           Think about crushing peanuts with the ball of your
           left foot as you swing it around and think Hey buddy!
           as you bring the punch to completion by tucking it
           into your chest (like you’re hugging him high around
           the neck). Like all punches, the hook accelerates as it
           tracks to the target, the fist clenches before impact and
           is sharply returned to the guard position along with
           everything else that went for the ride.

           Remember, recovery is everything. Punches should
           never hang. Punches SNAP! Think acceleration, SNAP,
           recovery.

           Left uppercut (5)
           Uppercuts are stock and staple for inside fighting and
           are thrown with power coming from the legs and
           torso.They are not wind-up arm punches. From the
           guard position, dip the left shoulder so that your elbow
           nears your hip.At the same time rotate the fist palm
           up.Without cocking the arm back or winding up,
           propel this punch with the left side of your body.
           Accelerate, SNAP and recover. The right uppercut is a
           mirror image of the left.

           Punch reminders
           All punching action is best executed from a balanced
           boxer’s stance.This ensures power, accuracy and


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