A real beginners question! Only been boxing 3 weeks at my local gym. The sessions are all group based with a couple of coaches walking around. When on the bags I am constantly being told to lock my elbows out and get straight arms. I feel like the bag is too close to me to achieve this. I'm guessing that it's therefore a footwork issue (ie. I need to step back to give me more room). I appreciate that the answer is probably going to be practice, practice and practice some more! Can anybody offer any advice or point me in the direction of a good video. There is no option for 1 to 1 sessions at the gym. I know of a coach who offers them. Would I be better going for say, 3 sessions with him or buying a bag to use at home and practice?
I know what you are saying.... What I think the coach is trying to say is to get a straighter arm, rather than too much bend at the elbow?
There's a difference between straightening your arm and locking out your elbow. Maybe he doesn't mean lock out your elbows and is just saying it wrong, but the language he's using will lead to injuries. Either way, never lock out your arm when punching.
If you're hitting the bag at the correct distance, wouldn't the bag prevent you from locking your elbows anyways?
You probably are learning forward with your punches, putting weight on the front foot. This will do exactly what you are describing. Keep your weight and balance centered.
If you're too close to the bag, you're likely smothering your punches. I used to get yelled at for this when I first started, since I preferred staying inside and just wail on the bag. When you smother straight punches, you not only negate your reach but also your punching power. For instance, for your right hand adjust the distance so that when you land your right cross it's about a few inches just short of full extension. Also, vary your distance, practice moving in and out of range, and throwing the right kind of punches at the appropriate distance.
make sure you use full extension when you perform resistance exercises (pushups, pullups, dips, etc) to strengthen your tendons. lengthen your punch to 95% (not quite to lock out). and even practice by keeping your elbow down and NOT turning your hands over. turning the hand over too early will have elbows flaring and shorten your shot. and you're spot on with using your feet to fix your range. back up.
Thanks for the replies. Did some specific footwork drills with a partner last night at training and learnt more about range, how to move left,right,forward and back and still maintain range. This has really helped. I'm more confident now using the jab correctly, I just need to work on position and technique for delivering the back hand properly as its sloppy and lacking power. I think I'm going to get my own bag and keep practicing at home!
Make sure your jab/straight right form a straight line with your shoulders when you land. Imagine a line going from your fist, up to your shoulder and then to your other shoulder without the straight line being broken
