Does having big calves give you more punching power?

Posture and where the head is gives you power.

 

strong calves most likely do not hurt. The saying "got my toes under it" suggests it. However, it's not the 100% controlling factor in punching power. Technique is and an important aspect of technique that creates power is

This content is protected

 

Ha-ha. Right. My take is punching power is mostly in the shoulders and hips.

Those thin and log legged types usually do not take the best punch.

 

There was a polish study done which said that big calves as well as big forearms combined equaled a ko artist.

 

Excellent... Agreed.

 

In punching, the vast majority of power comes from the core and upper legs.
I know my calves used to be larger when I was boxing, but I think that was mostly due to jumping rope and footwork drills.

 

Go to google images and check the size of usain bolt calves.

 

Popeye could really swat and both his calves and forearms are huge.
However, he was also slammin' spinach before it was outlawed as a PED.

 

imo.

 

Naz

It was always said the power came from his calves!

 

A powerful "triple extension" (i.e. extending at the angle, knees and hips) facilitates punching power. You could argue that more muscle cross sectional area in the calves, which function to extend the ankle, can facilitate improvements in strength, which in turn can facilitate improvements in power.

However, you're unlikely to see many boxers with an S&C programming which aims to increase calve size, as there are more efficient techniques to improve punching power without increasing muscle mass and therefore increasing bodyweight. A more efficient method might be to look to improve how "explosive" the angle extensors are through plyometric exercises like "stiff-legged drop jumps".

 

Fascinating... Could you delineate more on plyometric exercise vs deadlifts?

 

Powerlifting exercises like the squat and deadlift should be designed to improve the maximal force generating capacity of the muscle, rather than to increase muscle size. That means lifting heavy loads relative to your 1RM, as well as a low volume and plenty of rests between sets.

Plyometric exercises are designed to improve rate of force development, by performing maximal contractions in as quick a time as possible.

These two types of exercises are an example of working along the "force-velocity curve" to translate improvements in strength into improvements in power (i.e. maximal strength, strength-speed, power, speed-strength and speed). A practical example might be squats at 90-100% 1RM, loaded squat jumps, clean, box jumps and sprints. That would be an rough example of working along the force-velocity curve. How long you spend on each individual training focus depends on what your limitations are.

 

Big calves help your agility more so than absolute power. Calves would help you turn your ankle better and apply more force when in a semi-imbalanced state. They are great stabilizers too. Look at Pacquiao, huge calves for his size, that's what lets him move the way he does. Mayweather on the other hand can do quick technical movments well, but is just physically incapable of doing any kind of erratic punching style.

All in all, play to your strengths, as usual.