By David Martinez / dmboxing.com  

In my many years coaching the young kids at local boxing gyms, here’s sharing my capsule look at the four (4) major punches. With most boxers being in the orthodox stance – southpaws can reverse these sequences listed.

THE LEFT JAB – The jab is the best punch in boxing. It starts low because it carries the arms low. A sudden straightening of the arm to almost full length, as it begins a short forward step of your left foot, which must be flat on the ring apron when the jab lands.

THE RIGHT CROSS – The motion of the cross is like of a shot-put. Power starts with a push off the right foot, continues up through hip, shoulder and elbow.

THE LEFT HOOK – The hook’s force is like a heavy ball swinging on a rope. The left foot pivots, the hips start the power, and the shoulder rotation continues the power. At the final snap, the blow’s authority, comes from a sudden upward tipping of the elbow.

THE UPPERCUT – The uppercut is essentially defensive. It is the only punch in which the arm is turned palm upward and the right uppercut is the only one in which the weight rests on the right foot. It is struck when the weigh is well back, as in retreating.