Lacking Punching Power

[patshan]

Hey guys,

It has been a while since I've last posted. Anyhow, training is going great! I am feeling better, and more confindent in the gym everyday. One thing that is bothering though, is my lack of punching power. When my trainer and I are hitting the target pads, he often comments that I should put more into my punches. I am hitting as hard as I can without sacrificing technique. Usually when he tells me to hit harder, I start pushing my punches or popping out my elbow (which is wrong, but to show him I really can't hit any harder).

I've been training for just over a month, does power come with time or is my lack of power something I have to accept?

[THE REED]

Power comes with sharpening technique. Understanding how to use every aspect of your body into the punch from your feet through your legs, pivoting your hips, torquing your toso, turning over your shoulder, exting your arm and turning your fist.

Practice man.... Just keep at it, it will come.

[MalikKnucklez]

i agree with what Reed said...Punching is bout 70% learned technique/ energy displacement and 30% raw power fam...not everybody is gonna be able to deliver one punch KO power...but everyone can learn how to hit hard and effectively...speed & power are things u train for

be patient and take time to learn ur body. hit the heavy bag, sit down on your punches. be conscious of where the energy is flowing from and flowing to. you'll develop that strength naturally.

good luck and keep at it boss!

[as646]

There are a number of things you can do. On of the key points is to have a very solid base so you can generate lots of torque -- especially important in hooks. Secondly, make sure you're punching "through" whatever you're aiming at. If you're hitting a bag, for instance, try and hit a few inches inside the bag. Thirdly, don't consciously focus on hitting harder, you'll inevitably tense up. Instead, concentrate on making your punches faster and sharper.

Some people just aren't massively heavy hitters, though.

[josh-hill]

i disagree. technice is the way you utilize your muscles, so ts very important, but if you are weak there is no way to magically make your punches strong. I would recomend doing as much boxxing as you can, but also do some very simple weights. First focus on getting to the weight you want to fight at, then increasing your strength, and finaly doing explosive work like plyometrics, explosive lifts e.c.t. to bridge the gap between max strength and explosive strength. I am not saying technice is less important, because its not. you need both.

[F l i c k e r]

If you can't develop power. Learn to box. (ex: malignaggi)

Otherwise, I agree with what Malik said.

[-FLIP-]

It will come with practice.

Like someone above mentioned, it may not be that one punch KO power. But since you have only been at it for a month, it will definitely improve with time with proper technique.

Keep hitting those bags, and it will come.

[New England]

Power comes with sharpening technique. Understanding how to use every aspect of your body into the punch from your feet through your legs, pivoting your hips, torquing your toso, turning over your shoulder, exting your arm and turning your fist.

Practice man.... Just keep at it, it will come.

that only goes so far

every gifted puncher walked into the gym with the ability to hit hard
you cant say that about everybody who boxes, even if they take the time to learn how to throw their power shots properly. paulie malinaggi will never be a puncher.


i'd sharpen up on your boxing, TS
i've been watching this sport for a long time and i've yet to see any light puncher develop into a great one through training. focusing purely on improving your power will be less worthwhile than it will be to learn how to do everything else well.

you dont need one big shot to knock somebody out or even win rounds.

[Ray Corso]

Theres some truth to the comments above you can add that strengthening yourself will add some power too! As your body gains conditioning it should be gaining strength and along with techniques you should see improvements in time. Strength/Balance/Punch Techniques/Desire are a good creed to maintain as you move your training forward! One month is barely a beginning, you could gain some outside perspective by putting a holder on the heavy bag two days out of the month and have them tell you per month if they "feel" a growth in your power! You should feel it yourself but a friends help can be a good accessment. Ray.

[ad98]

there's a good drill people in my gym use basically you take a small medicine ball and throw it at the wall like you'd pass a basket-ball
if you don't have that resistance band or dumbbell punches are great as well
lastly do clap push-ups or plyo push-ups to get that explosive power in the upper-body
like most people said the technique is most important tough start with strong legs then make sure your core is good as well and make sure your shoulders and back are nice and strong