My pad hitting problem.

[Walker Smith Jr.]

Recently on the pads, my straight left (A SOUTHY) has been getting no power and no pop. This hasnt always been the case though, a couple months ago, i was really popping the pad good with my straight left, It felt as if my punch was ending at the perfect range with some solid weight behind it. I impressed myself and even my trainer. But now for some reason, its gone awry. When i go throw my straight out now, its feels off balanced, weak, forced, muffled. Everything about how i threw it, went wrong.

My trainer picked up on this, and he told me i was too tense, and that i was flexing while throwing my straight (i noticed that i was doing this also, probablly subconsiously to try and compensate for more power, which i know, works the exact opposite) So as of late i've been just trying to lightly throw it out there, and i've noticed the difference. I get a snap now. But still none of the solid weight and impact behind it that i had before Cry and its been really irking me.

I've been trying to correct on some of the stuff i think im doing wrong. Could it be a matter of not being in the correct range (too far, too close? Standing too square? It could be a whole plethora of things that im not taking into consideration and i know that its really up to me to find out where im going wrong. But i was hoping you guys could come up with a mess list, so that i can read it, take it all in like a sponge, and try and make some corrections based off your guys suggestions.

btw, this is just for my straight left, and just for the pads. I can throw a straight left at the bag no problemo, but it just started feeling awkward on the pads for some reason.


damn its really discouraging when you really think you've got you technique down, and it justs leaves you.

[Chris Nagel]

I can't say.

Are you over reaching/leaning on your front leg? How does it feel when you throw a short left?

[Von Milash]

Walker, read this thread

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxing_fo...html#msg417347

[Walker Smith Jr.]

I can't say.

Are you over reaching/leaning on your front leg? How does it feel when you throw a short left?

Yeah, i figured this kind of question cant really be answered, unless you critique a video of me throwing it. but i was just kind of hoping suggestions would pop up, and that one of them would be the missing equation.

I DO feel like my trainers hand is out of reach sometimes, so i feel like im reaching far out for it. Btw, on the "Straight Right" thread, it was saying when you throw a straight right it shouldnt be AT your opponent. It should go THROUGH them. Does this principle apply for a straight on the pad? Perhaps im too far away.

well Milash, im off to read that thread..

[Scrap]

If the feet are right walking distance apart with the back foot turned out, and the head not moving from the line of execution of the Jab the right hand will exceed the jab in distance by 6 inch. Its the first 4 inch where the damage is done. Ive a feeling the pad man isnt doing his job properly

[greynotsoold]

You may laugh at this, but the problem could well be in your jab and how you throw it. Let me explain.

Lots of times, especially when a guy is really concerned about his straight punch, he'll cheat his jab. By that I mean he'll paw with it or push it, and not fully step in with it, all in anticipation of really putting everything on the punch that comes behind it. This will mess up your distance and, as a result, you'll tend to smother your own punch. Typically this will happen with an orthodox fighter on the heavy bag, but I can see how it would happen to a southpaw while working on the pads, depending on how your trainer moves.

[Trainer Monkey]

Well,both of our pet peaves have been hit today
I know your feelings about southpaws,and Im sure by now you know that there just arent enough bad things that could happen to a boxer who paws with thier jab as far as Im concerned

[Sharla]

btw, this is just for my straight left, and just for the pads.  I can throw a straight left at the bag no problemo, but it just started feeling awkward on the pads for some reason.

I had a similar problem with my cross leaving me for a while. With me it could have been one of a few things. With the padwork the coach would throw the pad i was hitting in hard - and move it a large distance towards me - this smothered the punch.

He'd also hold the pads a long way apart so it came at me from the left - which bothered me more than others since I have relatively narrow shoulders.

I found it slightly easier to mentally visualize pushing through the pad to stop it from being smothered but I much prefer different padholders who allow my arm to be closer to straight before the punch connects.

Also my footwork was being modified a bit at the time and I think I had to adjust to that. I was told not to pivot at all with the cross for a while but I think now that's not smart.

Still I have some days when the cross does not flow - i think on those days it might be a balance thing - feet too far apart and all my weight being in the wrong place.

[Sharla]

One thing I forgot to say is that if you're coach gets you to move while you throw punches and you are told to throw your cross when you rear foot is off the ground it can not be as hard as when it's grounded. It might still be useful I guess (I'm still trying to decide whether it is or not) but it's not going to be as hard and that's not your fault.

[greynotsoold]

Why, and how, can you throw your straight right/left when your rear foot is off the ground? Make your trainer explain that to you.

[Sharla]

What's your opinion on that Grey?