| Introduction- The basic straight | | | | (abdominals + back) muscle group and the legs |
| You will be brought through the key points of | | | | need to be engaged as well. Remember the twist |
| throwing straights punches i.e. Jab (lead/front | | | | and turn motion at the hips area. |
| hand) & Cross (trail hand). | | | | The boxer's chin stays tight and is close to |
| In addition, a strong defensive guard is just as | | | | the left shoulder. This helps to guard against any |
| important as you attempt to throw your straight | | | | strikes that may come as a counter to the jab |
| punches. I stress on the word "attempt" as your | | | | being thrown. |
| opponent could also choose to evade, block, parry | | | | Direction of force- A mental visualization of results |
| or counter your strikes, especially so if your | | | | Have you been working hard on the heavy bag? |
| strikes are telegraphic. Hence, a strong guard | | | | Trying to hit the bag with all your might and |
| must be formed even as your attack. | | | | attempt to make the bag "fly" or swing with each |
| Throwing the punch | | | | strikes? |
| Roll your fingers inwards and form a flat fist. | | | | If you are, then you probably need to think twice |
| In doing so, note that area of contact are the | | | | about striking method. |
| knuckles of the index (digitus secundus manus) | | | | Recall that the aim of the strikes (punches or |
| and middle (digitus medius) fingers. In technical | | | | even kicks), is to hit (vs push) the target. If the |
| jargon, the contact points relate to the head of | | | | bag is swinging wildly with each strike, do you |
| the metacarpals section of the hand. | | | | think you are hitting or are you, in fact, pushing |
| If you are wearing gloves, it's the thickest | | | | the bag? |
| ("fleshy") part that's making contact with the | | | | Imagine your target is a bag filled with water. |
| target. | | | | Your objective would then be to hit the bag and |
| In the natural position, the middle knuckle | | | | have waves travel through the bag and to the |
| forms the apex of the fist and hence the fist is | | | | opposite side, forming a bulge. |
| to be rotated slightly outwards in order for | | | | Summary |
| contact to be made. Without the rotation in a | | | | The above paragraphs outline the key principles |
| bare fist fight, the middle knuckle is thus prone to | | | | of the straight punches. In order for your |
| injury as the resultant force from the punch is | | | | straights to be effective and efficient, you would |
| fully absorbed by this portion. | | | | need to consider the important key points such |
| The entire body works in unison as you | | | | as forming a proper fist, engaging the core and |
| throw the strike. By this, I mean that the core | | | | controlling of the path of the striking force. |