Page 27 - Pat O'Keeffe Combat Kick Boxing

Targets and Techniques

The uppercut is a short-range punch
meant to come under or between the
guard of your assailant. It utilises a
strong pivot of the ankle, hip and
shoulder and because of this it is best
thought of as a vertical hook.
From a tight guard, pivot at the
ankle, hip and shoulder, taking care
not to telegraph your intention by
throwing the punch in a loop. Keep
your arm close to your body and only
release it at the last second. Your
forearm should be at a 90-degree angle
to your upper arm on contact. (Figs.
21 and 22)
The main targets for this punch all
fall on the centre line of the body.
These are the chin, solar plexus and
lower abdomen. Again, you should
use the focus pads for speed and
accuracy and the bag for power.
There are two additional pieces of
Fig 21 equipment that assist in building strong
hooks and uppercuts: the ‘angle bag’
and the maize ball. (Figs. 23 and 24)
These two pieces of equipment
enable you to throw hooks and
uppercuts through more angles than
is possible with the normal bag and so
practise the maximum number of
angles of attack.
Both hooks and uppercuts are best
thrown in combination when the one
sets up the other. Because the path of
each of these punches is circular, it is
important to curve the body behind
them to achieve maximum power.

The Elbow Strike
Fig 22
27