Jack Dempsey - Championship fighting

[Danny_123]

In one of the early chapters of Jack Dempsey's book Championship Fighting; he mentions straight punches, he basically says you shouldnt punch with palm facing down, because the minute you turn your hand over to face that way, the arm begins to loop instead of being straight.

This makes sense but would you say this applies, like straight punches that are either vertical fist or slanted between vertical and horizontal?

Also if anyone has any techniques for training weight shifting or the falling step?

If anyone wants to add anything else feel free

[lilevil]

you are taught to turn the punches over to get your shoulder in to the punch. i do not know any boxing coaches that teach a verticle fist

[F l i c k e r]

Dempsey meant holding the hand horizontal the entire time. Meaning, you dont have your hand vertical when its next to your face. Like a muay thai guard or something.

Vertical punches work very well. Because you dont have to twist your arm, its unpredictable on when its going to come. Its also very hard to tell the depth or range of a vertical fist because it never changes or shifts mid air. Adding to that. Marciano's "susie-q" punch was a vertical fisted punch and look how devestating it was. One of the most brutal KO punches ever.

Personally I use the vertical fist with the "lead straight". Its just as effective as a jab but you dont know when its comming and cannot time it properly ever. Requires a ton of speed and strong lats though.

I also use it on the "burst" too. A wing-chun oriented move.

[J.Dempsey]

you are taught to turn the punches over to get your shoulder in to the punch. i do not know any boxing coaches that teach a verticle fist

i read into jack dempsey/wing chun/jeet kune do and started incoporating the vertical fist punches in the gym, even tho the coaches were tellin me to turn my fist..
it dont look powerful, but i was told by a few sparring partners my lead straight was one of the hardest punches they got hit with and its so hard to see coming as theres no telegraphing and its the shortest distance to cover..

[DIB42]

Also if anyone has any techniques for training weight shifting or the falling step?

I'm curious about this too, I'm trying to figure out this falling step, and i swear i look like i'm training to throw WWE punches.

[j]

ok, i guess i can lend a hand, seeing as dempseys fighting style is closest to mine...

when people overturn the hand too much, your elbow will pop up. when your elbow pops up, you can lose a great deal of power generated by your legs and waist. a good percentage of the power will be lost at your shoulder and elbow. also, having the elbow down is structually sturdier.



the falling step is simply coordinating your weight transfer with the movemnt of both your punch and step. u shouldnt really use a lot of muscles as the punch uses your body's weight and movement more naturally.

flicker - the straight burst is one of my faves. trust me, us XY guys know all bout a bursting punch - hell, we do have a punch called "exploding/bursting punch" after all.

[Danny_123]

I'm curious about this too, I'm trying to figure out this falling step, and i swear i look like i'm training to throw WWE punches.

Haha ditto....
I tried incorporating it whilst at the gym the other day on the heavy bags, but i really feel like i'm doing it wrong for some reason. Cant find a single video on the internet to help and my coach hasnt read about the falling step.