How to Effectively Throw Punches

These series of tips might give you the edge in a dangerous fight; while I don't endorse the idea of violence, I also understand that sometimes violence finds you, so I feel it to be right to post these tips. These ideas can also be used to incorporate into your training regime of choice.

1) The Left Jab

The left arm and right arm should always be up, shielding not only your face, but your chest from damage as well. Stoop your head in a little to allow the access needed to do this. When pushing a jab, your body should pivot right to allow your weight to be transfered along with your left jab, increasing in heavier, more powerful damage. The power transferred should never cause you fall off balance and stumble; you should always try maintain perfect weight balance when throwing punches. The left jab (or right, if you're a southpaw) should always be in and out like a snake, that you pull it back in as fast as you shot it out. The left jab is the punch mainly used to create opportunity for other more devastating combinations.

2) The Left Hook

This is one of the most powerful moves in the arsenal for a right-hander (right hook for the southpaw, respectively). While the left jab doesn't do as much damage as it does unless it's been accumulated, the left hook is an option that can potentially knock out a person if executed right. The left hook should be delivered in the same stance, left foot front, right foot back, arms in, neck hunched. Step slightly forward with your left foot a little to decrease the distance, as the left hook is a up close maneuver, Weight control and body movement is MANDATORY here, as the hook if delivered with the proper momentum and weight control can floor a man instantly. Begin by pivoting your hips left, let your left arm leave its chamber, extend it back, and during the time your arm has extended, (remember your face should always be still looking towards your opponent), pivot your left foot to the right, maximizing momentum and weight transfer. Keep your right arm up always to protect your face should there be a counter, and just let loose into your opponent's head with the blazing strike. Even blocked, the left hook can do a considerable amount of damage. If blocked however, immediately pull your arm back into a defensive stance.

3) Left Body Blow

Performed in exactly the same mechanics as the Left Hook, albeit with a sideways turned fist rather than a normally conventionally parallel one. This is due to the body's natural alignment when striking that certain angle, creating more damage as well as a beneficial damage area. While this is also a damage dealer, I do not recommend using it unless there is an apparent opening to pull it off, or if you are riding the fight. Chances to use it are in up close perimeters where the punches from the adversary does not have enough leverage and momentum to hurt you.

4) Left Upper

The Left Upper. What can I say about it? Besides the fact that it's a killer move made for killers. Seriously, while fighting amateur fighters, the left upper will be your best bet of a knock out, in my prior experience. Professionals know how to block left uppers, common people don't, so it's really an edge in an situation where you're faced with someone who seems large and threatening, yet normal in conventional means. Adopt your fighting stance, left out, right back. A close up move, decrease the distance or allow your opponent to decrease the distance. While either you or your opponent are throwing a flurry of punches, pull your left arm down with your wrists turning slightly,bend your knees a little, crouch down slightly, and use your right back leg as a spring, stretching fully and using this sudden body momentum to fling your fist up in an arc, hopefully colliding with the person's chin and knocking them out.

4) The Right Straight

This is the largest cannon in your arsenal. By far, if pulled off correctly, the Right Straight has enough potential to end a fight in 1 second flat. Never pull off a right straight, unless you have prior experience in boxing or the sort, as the right straight is immediately noticeable and slow to land, leaving you susceptible to attacks. Being prone to incoming blows in a fight is equally important as your offense, so let's just scratch that thought from the book. Start off by throwing a few left jabs, a couple miscellaneous rights to show that you aren't hiding anything, another few jabs with a hook, and in that sequence, sooner or later, a chance will arise where his guard will drop, and in that single moment, your Right Straight will shine. Instinct will take over and your right straight (pivot your hip to the left, arm leaves the chamber,, pivot your hip to the left, should pivots as well, arm extends fully) will smash into your opponent, easily a knock out if landed.

5) Everything I mentioned, but on the Right Arm

Every move, from the hook to the upper, can also be performed on your right arm in the same manner. But doing so while in your normal right hand stance is harder to perform. The opponent has to be DANGEROUSLY close, there must be surefire opportunities to land them, and know that repetitively performing these power blows will tire you out.

There are plenty more moves out there, but they require training and precise strategies. These tips should last you long enough to score a few punches in your favor, perhaps even helping you escape a potentially life threatening situation. In that case, my job is done and I have made a difference. And maybe that you learned a few new moves, you can too.