I had an argument recently. Do you generate more power punching down, say on a shorter opponent, or up on a taller opponent. When I used to fight, I found it easier throwing up at taller guys but I hear most people saying you generate more power throwing down to a shorter opponent. I think George Foreman said it was better and easier to throw up. I suppose it may depend on what punch you're throwing. Just a question.
down. Margo / Cotto is a good example. And look at the leverage that Hearns got on his right hand despite being very thin for the weight. When you punch down, you can twist your whole upper body into the punch
Punching down I believe generates more power. I think you put more weight into it this way. Think of it like a fat girl sitting on you. It takes more effort for you to push her off, than it takes for her to sit on you.
I don't think that it has to do with gravity at all lol i think its muscle contraction. When you are punching up the impact of the punch occurs before the chest muscles are at their optimal contraction because of the trajectory of the arm.
Gravity helps create speed. Punching power: Mass (of the source why heavyweights tend to be better punchers than lightweights) + Distance ( Why a skiny guy like Tommy Hearns could be such a great puncher) + Speed (the speed of the punch from lanch to impact) = power
punching up because the mechanics of a punch are from your feet up to your fist, if you're punching down you're not getting as much leverage and you can't use the full force of your legs which is where the majority of your power comes from.
It maybe different depending upon the person in terms of their build and technique. I prefer punching down as when I punch up it feels like I am over reaching though that maybe because I am so damn short
I think people don't realise how little power you actually get from your arms, if you're throwing slappy arm punches then punching down would probably be easier but if you're punching correctly and twisting your core in coordination with your legs you'll know that all your reach and leverage is generated from your body and as i said before the power comes from the feet travelling all the way up to the fist, if you're punching down you just don't have the same leverage, this shouldn't be a hard question
That is true, but you still need to have that whip effect follow through from your shoulder to your elbow. Every part is key.
It depends. Guys like Tyson and Frazier are better punching up, because their power comes from the body movement generated from shooting up from a crouched stance into an upward punch. They couldn't really punch down very effectively. On the other hand, lanky guys like Arguello and Hearns who generate power by using their leverage and turning themselves through punches would probably be just as effective or more effective punching down, with gravity added.
Lets break down the power punches. The stright right (assuming you fight with an orthdox stance) 1. You just threw a left jab. 2. As your left hand pulls back inyo a defensive position you throw your stright right. 3. When you throw your stright right you bend your right knee. Sometimes called sitting down on your punches. Also twisting your right hip toward your opoent. 4. The natural path of the punch is slightly downwards. Now the left hook. You realy don't throw a hook like you do a jab or a stright. basicaly you twist and sit. You twist your left hip toward your opoent and bend your knees. Once again the natural path of the punch is downwards. The "power" jab. or the jab hook. The same rules that apaly to the hook apaly hear. However in this case your opoent is farther away. As you twest your left hip and bend your knees you extend your arm like a normal jab. The natural path of the jab hook or "power" jab (I just made that term up ). Is slightly downwards. The upercutt is the best case for punching up. Basicaly you're lanuching your body at your opoent. It is counter intutive to go against nature, and the nature of most punches is a downwards moition. If you don't beleve me do what I jst did go through the macanics of each punch try throwing upwards and downwards with each and see what happens.
