Punches Feel Weak in Sparring?

[DespicableMi]

everyone has a unique signature way they throw their punches that works for them yes yes yes the technical sound way to throw is pivots etc etc but thats just a general guidelines that works for MANY/ALL however in that movement is subtle timings of when and how you engage your twitch fiber muscles etc that is only unique to yourself and if you have naturally mastered this will inturns = your maximum punch power/snap output (which we will refer to as "PUNCH" from here on out). This is why they say punchers are born and not made and thats because those who can punch already learned/conditioned themselves naturally through whatever reason/scenarios the best timings to engage xyz muscle/fibers to land that "PUNCH" but those who didnt naturally develop that skill has to learn it in the gym and they usually never get that timing down to perfection for their true "PUNCH".

With that being said, I believe you just aint really a puncher if you cant tell why your punches aint feeling right in the ring, what that tells me is you have no natural command/engagement over your internal timings of your twitch fiber muscles etc to land that "PUNCH" cause if you did you will still feel the power/snap when you throw it regardless if you land it or not instead of feeling like it aint their when you land. People who been taught how to throw a power punch is a manufactured power puncher who heavily relies on the fundamentals that they were taught that created that power punch. This is why on the bag you feel like you land it cause its a perfect environment/landscape for you to land the power punch the way you was taught instead of in the ring where you might not have that perfect environment/landscape to throw it.

You are going to have to learn how to set up your shots in the ring like everyone does, learn your range, learn your angles, learn to work off the jab etc etc and pick your shots which is great technically advice period. Right now Im pretty sure your feets are not planted correctly and your forcing your shots and over reaching with them, and possibly "pushing" them out instead of snapping them out but someone whos naturally a "PUNCHER" would realize that.

Keep up the good work and hope I helped.

Got it... Thanks for the informative reply! I guess you're just going to have to take my word that I am honestly naturally heavy handed. I am not sure if heavy hands are equivalent to the definition of a "puncher" you are describing?

I guess a contributing factor are plain old nerves in the ring. I'm still getting over the nerves of sparring... but it's definitely getting better.

It's not like I'm hitting pillow punches, but I feel like I hesitate a lot... which in turn affects my punches, etc.

[BillyBoxing]

Hey Guys!

I've recently started sparring and have done a few now. I've trained boxing for a few months prior to sparring... focusing on technique and form.

Multiple people have told me that I have heavy hands on the bag and mitts. Not to be prideful or anything like that.

However... I've noticed that my punches don't have that same snap and power in sparring? Sometimes feels more "pushy" or slappy. Is this because I need to relax more, etc?

It's kind of a frustrating and almost powerless feeling!

Will the power come through in sparring with more experience? How was it for you guys?

Thank you!

Maybe a distance problem buddy, if you're too close or too far when you land, you're not efficient.

You will find your right distance with sparring experience.

Try to work fast and relax yes (you will relax with experience being less/not afraid to get hit), you're probably trying to load your punch too much and ends punching slow and gassing out, classic from beginners.

It takes a lot of sparring to punch right unless you're the next Tommy Hearns.

[WonderMonkey]

The difference between theory (bag work) and reality (opponent in ring) is massive at first for many. A few things you can do:

Time in the ring against an appropriate opponent - If you box, and don't just slug it out, you will improve. At first it's easy to get in there and lose all sense of what's going on, and if the person you spar against is just swinging as hard as they can, you may need to focus on jabs, defense and counters.

Mitts work - A good mitts person will help in getting use to the movement and chaos

Bag work - When you are working the bag, try and put yourself into "fight mode" and don't just work on hitting the bag. Sure, work form, but also step back, gather yourself, and do your very best to amp your adrenaline up. Go in, move, jab, roll, block, jab, move etc etc etc. Don't make it easy to hit the bag, as it has been mentioned that the bag doesn't hit back. Very true.

Generally, after working technique (shadow, etc) you need to practice how you play (box) to close the gap between theory and reality.

All the above on working on myself, and have yet to do my first Fight Night, so take it for what it is worth.

[Mr.MojoRisin']

Hey Guys!

I've recently started sparring and have done a few now. I've trained boxing for a few months prior to sparring... focusing on technique and form.

Multiple people have told me that I have heavy hands on the bag and mitts. Not to be prideful or anything like that.

However... I've noticed that my punches don't have that same snap and power in sparring? Sometimes feels more "pushy" or slappy. Is this because I need to relax more, etc?

It's kind of a frustrating and almost powerless feeling!

Will the power come through in sparring with more experience? How was it for you guys?

Thank you!

Sparring and more experience. I felt the same problem when I started sparring, especially my first spar. But once you get more comfortable you'll start landing with more authority. Take a month or two and see if you still have the problem.

[OctoberRed]

Maybe a distance problem buddy, if you're too close or too far when you land, you're not efficient.

You will find your right distance with sparring experience.

Try to work fast and relax yes (you will relax with experience being less/not afraid to get hit), you're probably trying to load your punch too much and ends punching slow and gassing out, classic from beginners.

It takes a lot of sparring to punch right unless you're the next Tommy Hearns.

This was exactly what I was thinking when I read his complaints.

[Mokib]

I had the exact same thing when i started boxing. It sort of went on its own i guess, but i think the underlying cause of it all was the fact that i would be scared of getting hit - making me tense up and stop exhaling when defending, and it affected my puches since i was Overthinking about each shot.

Easier said then done but just relax and make sure your defence is tight and hands are up. That way youll breathe and prevent overthinking about each shot. It will go on its own anyway

[OctoberRed]

I had the exact same thing when i started boxing. It sort of went on its own i guess, but i think the underlying cause of it all was the fact that i would be scared of getting hit - making me tense up and stop exhaling when defending, and it affected my puches since i was Overthinking about each shot.

Easier said then done but just relax and make sure your defence is tight and hands are up. That way youll breathe and prevent overthinking about each shot. It will go on its own anyway

Very solid advice.

[b Murphington]

Hey Guys!

I've recently started sparring and have done a few now. I've trained boxing for a few months prior to sparring... focusing on technique and form.

Multiple people have told me that I have heavy hands on the bag and mitts. Not to be prideful or anything like that.

However... I've noticed that my punches don't have that same snap and power in sparring? Sometimes feels more "pushy" or slappy. Is this because I need to relax more, etc?

It's kind of a frustrating and almost powerless feeling!

Will the power come through in sparring with more experience? How was it for you guys?

Thank you!

You said you were told you have heavy hands. Who told you this? A trainer who was holding the mitts for you? The ones holding the mitts are the ones who would know because the can feel the punches land in their hands.

I would say you need to relax. The fact that you said you feel powerless is very telling here and I think it's very common in beginners, especially going up against guys you know are more experienced than you.

When you aren't relaxed, you hesitate. Your punches will come out all wrong.

I had this problem for a long time, probably longer than most because I'm a naturally high strung person.

The problem with relaxing is that it just comes with experience. You can't teach someone how to relax in the ring. It just has to come on it's own through sparring experience. Once you do relax, you should notice a difference.

Also, try to get some film of yourself sparring. Ask someone to record it on their phone. Watching yourself should help.

Ask for feedback too. A lot of times for me, I would feel that I did worse than I really did. It helps to have another set of eyes watch you. You get a different perspective.

[Johnston]

You said you were told you have heavy hands. Who told you this? A trainer who was holding the mitts for you? The ones holding the mitts are the ones who would know because the can feel the punches land in their hands.

I would say you need to relax. The fact that you said you feel powerless is very telling here and I think it's very common in beginners, especially going up against guys you know are more experienced than you.

When you aren't relaxed, you hesitate. Your punches will come out all wrong.

I had this problem for a long time, probably longer than most because I'm a naturally high strung person.

The problem with relaxing is that it just comes with experience. You can't teach someone how to relax in the ring. It just has to come on it's own through sparring experience. Once you do relax, you should notice a difference.

Also, try to get some film of yourself sparring. Ask someone to record it on their phone. Watching yourself should help.

Ask for feedback too. A lot of times for me, I would feel that I did worse than I really did. It helps to have another set of eyes watch you. You get a different perspective.

Solid advice, had the same problem. Was just so hesitant i wouldn't fully extend my shots and I would really just try and snap out my punches without much on them. I think the movement of a live opponent does that to people, overall comfort,a better feel of range, and timing got better and it all became more natural. And like you said it's good to be able to watch yourself and see what your doing wrong

[Rockin']

fake account but I'll jump in. have you ever considered that you are wearing 16oz gloves? ........