In this guide, I’ll break down how to throw each of these punches step-by-step. By following these detailed instructions, you’ll improve your technique and learn how to punch with greater effectiveness.
1. The Jab
The jab is the most frequently used punch in boxing and is often referred to as the “bread and butter” punch. It helps you establish range, disrupt your opponent’s rhythm, and set up combinations.
How to punch a jab:
- Stance: Start in a proper boxing stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, your lead foot slightly forward, and your knees slightly bent. Your lead hand should be raised, with your elbow tucked in, and your rear hand protecting your chin.
- Initiation: As you throw the jab, push off the ball of your back foot. This slight push gives you forward momentum, allowing your body to move into the punch.
- Arm Movement: Drive your lead hand straight out, fully extending your arm while rotating your fist so that your palm faces downward. The rotation should happen just before the point of impact, creating a snap and a strong, sharp punch.
- Shoulder and Core Engagement: Simultaneously, your lead shoulder should roll slightly upward to protect your chin. Engage your core as you extend to ensure that the punch is powered from your entire body, not just your arm.
- Recoil: Quickly pull your hand back into position. The faster you can retract your jab, the more defensively sound you’ll be and ready for the next movement.
Key Points:
- Focus on speed and precision rather than power.
- Make sure your body weight remains balanced and you don’t overextend.
2. Straight Right Hand (Cross)
The straight right hand (or cross) is one of the most powerful punches in a boxer’s arsenal. Typically following the jab, it can deliver a knockout blow when executed properly.
How to punch a straight right hand:
- Stance: From your boxing stance, your rear hand should be in a defensive position, guarding your chin. Your lead hand will be slightly extended, following your jab.
- Rotation: As you begin to throw the cross, rotate your rear foot, pivoting on the ball of your foot. This rotation drives your hips and torso forward, which is where most of the power for the punch comes from.
- Extension: Extend your rear hand straight out, turning your fist so that your knuckles face forward and your palm is facing down. As with the jab, the final rotation of the fist happens just before impact.
- Engage the Hips and Core: The key to a strong cross is hip rotation. As your rear foot pivots, your hips should twist sharply, driving your hand forward with maximum force. Your torso should also rotate in sync, ensuring that the power originates from the ground up.
- Recoil: After impact, immediately snap your rear hand back to your guard position to defend against any counterpunches.
Key Points:
- Don’t arm-punch; most of the power comes from your legs, hips, and core.
- Stay balanced—don’t lean too far forward or you’ll lose power and stability.
3. Lead Hook
The lead hook is a devastating punch that targets an opponent from the side. It’s especially useful in close-range exchanges and can be thrown to the head or body.
How to punch a lead hook:
- Set Up: Begin in your boxing stance, with your knees slightly bent and your lead hand up. The hook is often thrown after the jab or cross.
- Rotation: To generate power, pivot your lead foot inward, rotating on the ball of your foot. At the same time, your hips and shoulders should twist in the direction of the punch. This rotational movement is key to generating power for the hook.
- Arm Mechanics: Your arm should form a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Keep your forearm parallel to the ground as you swing your arm in a horizontal arc toward the target. Your wrist should stay firm to prevent injury, and your fist should rotate so that your palm faces you (vertical fist) or faces downward (horizontal fist) depending on your preference.
- Body Movement: Your entire body should move with the punch. The rotation of your foot, hips, and shoulders should synchronize with the movement of your arm. This ensures that the power comes from your whole body and not just your arm.
- Recoil: After landing the punch, immediately return your hand to guard, keeping your body balanced and ready for a counterattack.
Key Points:
- Keep the hook tight; don’t let your elbow flare out too wide.
- Focus on hip rotation for maximum power.
4. Rear Hook
The rear hook is a powerful punch thrown with the rear hand, often used as a follow-up to the straight right hand or in combination with a lead hook. It’s great for catching opponents by surprise.
How to punch a rear hook:
- Set Up: Just like the lead hook, start in your stance, with your rear hand positioned near your chin.
- Pivot and Rotate: Pivot on your rear foot, rotating your hips and shoulders into the punch. The rear hook is shorter and more compact than a straight punch, so your movement should be tight.
- Arm Mechanics: Keep your rear arm bent at 90 degrees, with your forearm parallel to the ground. As you throw the punch, your elbow should come up, and your hand should swing around in a horizontal arc.
- Power: The power from the rear hook comes from the rotation of your hips and core, not just the arm. Drive your weight through the punch by fully rotating your rear foot.
- Recoil: After the punch, return to your stance quickly to stay balanced and prepared for your next move.
Key Points:
- The rear hook should be tight and controlled, not wide and looping.
- Focus on precision and timing rather than just brute force.
5. Lead Uppercut
The lead uppercut is a close-range punch designed to slip under an opponent’s guard and land on the chin or body. It’s particularly effective when your opponent leans in or covers up.
How to punch a lead uppercut:
- Bend and Rotate: Slightly bend your knees to lower your stance. Drop your lead hand just below your waist while rotating your hips to the side. This rotation loads up the punch and prepares you to explode upward.
- Drive Upward: Explode from your legs and hips as you throw the punch. Your lead fist should move upward in a sharp arc, aiming for your opponent’s chin. Keep your elbow bent at about 90 degrees, and make sure your punch travels straight up through the opponent’s guard.
- Core Engagement: The uppercut requires strong core engagement. As you push up from your legs, your core should twist to help drive the punch vertically.
- Recoil: After landing the uppercut, snap your hand back into your guard and maintain a balanced stance.
Key Points:
- The lead uppercut is most effective when thrown from a close range.
- Focus on exploding from your legs and core, not just lifting with your arm.
6. Rear Uppercut
The rear uppercut is a powerful punch designed to penetrate through an opponent’s guard. It’s an excellent punch for body shots or catching an opponent as they duck.
How to punch a rear uppercut:
- Bend and Load: Start by bending your knees slightly and rotating your hips to load your rear hand. Your rear fist should drop to about waist level, ready to explode upward.
- Drive Through: Explode up from your rear leg, rotating your hips as you throw the punch. Your rear hand should travel upward in a tight arc, aiming to land under your opponent’s chin. The power should come from your legs and core.
- Arm Mechanics: Keep your elbow bent at 90 degrees as your hand rises, with your palm facing towards you. The punch should feel like an upward thrust, and your body should follow the motion to drive through the target.
- Recoil: As always, return your rear hand to guard as soon as the punch lands.
Key Points:
- Don’t swing the uppercut; keep it tight and controlled.
- Use your legs and core to generate upward power.
7. Shovel Hook
The shovel hook is a punch that combines elements of the hook and the uppercut. It’s usually thrown at a 45-degree angle, making it perfect for targeting the body or the chin.
How to punch a shovel hook:
- Load the Punch: Drop your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity. Rotate your torso as if preparing to throw a traditional hook, but instead of a horizontal motion, aim your fist at a 45-degree angle.
- Punching Motion: Drive your fist diagonally upward toward the opponent’s body or chin. Your arm should follow a path somewhere between a hook and an uppercut, making sure to rotate your fist at the end of the punch.
- Hip Rotation: Power the punch with a strong rotation of your hips and core. Your lead foot should pivot slightly inward to aid this rotation.
- Recoil: After landing the punch, quickly bring your hand back into your guard and reset your stance.
Key Points:
- This punch is perfect for slipping around your opponent’s guard.
- Focus on body mechanics; the rotation of your torso is key to generating power.
8. Overhand Right
The overhand right is a looping punch aimed at the top of your opponent’s head or jaw. It’s often thrown as a counterpunch to surprise an opponent who is focused on guarding low or throwing punches.
How to punch an overhand right:
- Set Up: Drop your rear shoulder slightly and bend your knees to load the punch.
- Throw: As you throw the punch, arc your rear hand over and across, aiming for the top of your opponent’s head or jaw. Pivot your rear foot and rotate your hips to add power.
- Body Mechanics: The punch should move in a wide, looping motion, allowing it to bypass your opponent’s guard. Be sure to rotate your hips and shoulders fully into the punch.
- Recoil: As with all punches, quickly return to guard after the punch to maintain balance.
Key Points:
- The overhand right is most effective as a counterpunch.
- Make sure to arc the punch over your opponent’s guard, not just straight through it.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of How to Punch
Learning how to punch properly is critical to becoming a skilled boxer. Each of the eight punches requires precise technique, proper footwork, and total body engagement. Remember, it’s not just about throwing your arms—your power comes from the ground up, through your legs, hips, and core.
Practice each punch slowly at first, focusing on your form and technique. Once you feel comfortable, begin working on speed and power. With time and practice, you’ll develop the ability to throw each punch with accuracy and strength.
About the Author: Jason Van Veldhuysen
Jason Van Veldhuysen has been coaching boxing for the past 20 years and has been an online boxing coach for the past 15 years. He is the founder of the Precision Striking Youtube Channel (over 1 million subscribers), as well as the founder of the Precision Striking Membership, an exclusive program that helps fighters train to their highest levels while refining their boxing skills and technique. With years of experience as an amateur boxer and a passion for teaching, Jason specializes in footwork, combinations, and drills that elevate a boxer’s overall game. Known for his clear and practical training methods, Jason has helped boxers at all levels—from beginners to competitive fighters—reach their full potential.