Help With Fundamentals of the Right Cross

[ThaiBoxerWithNoHandsSon]

My right cross is without a doubt my worse punch. I have 2 main problems with it. 1) Its usually just an arm punch, and 2) I often don't get full extension with it.

Lately I've gone back to square one to try to correct the problem. I'm trying to really focus on the following:

1) Twisting the ball of my right foot to INITIATE the punch, not to end it. Correct?

2) Whipping my hip and turning my shoulder and then letting the punch naturally come out as a result of these movements. Correct?

3) Not letting my elbow flare out during the punch. Punching with the elbow tucked in and thumb facing the sky until the very last second, then turning it over.

My first question is if I'm missing anything on that little list.

My second question is how much should the right foot rotate on the pivot? Right now I feel like it might be over-rotating (at the end of the punch my right big toe is pointing northwest instead of north). Maybe this is a symptom of not "sitting down" hard enough on the punch if my foot so easily rotates?

Would love to hear any insight you guys have on full-body punching. Thanks.

[HerbM]

I want to read the expert answers to this question...

In my opinion the right foot and hip should NOT initiate because these are short range motions (small distance) and I want them to ADD to the punch at impact and thus unleash near the end just prior to and through impact.

As to the foot turn, my coach has my foot at 45 degrees before the punch -- i.e., in the standard stance -- and then it turns to straight ahead for the punch, and I am cautioned not to overturn it past that point.

My way of doing the foot turn mentally is to "hit with my HIP". I literally imagine that I am hitting my opponent (or the bag) with my HIP, so it turns just at impact. The hip turn times the foot turn and toe push to coincide with the punch/impact.

Punching with elbow in, and turn at the target is also the way I was taught.

I also consciously aim with the ring finger for the 3 knuckle (away from thumb) landing.

Remember, I am NOT claiming to be an expert and you should verify anything I offer with the experts and with actual experience.

But I do think about, listen to my coach and the guys here, read, and try this stuff all the time trying to find perfection....<grin>

Everyone seems to agree that getting the technique right brings far more, and faster, benefits than developing more muscles. (Nothing wrong with muscles, but hitting with your leg, hip, core, shoulders is always going to be stronger than hitting with just a very strong arm.)

--
HerbM

[Scrap]

The secret is what the left side is doing, for Oral stability.

[ThaiBoxerWithNoHandsSon]

what should the left side be doing?

[Scrap]

Moving to assist the right. Nothing moves on the right if not supported by the left.

[Chris Nagel]

This is a really good thread that elaborated how to throw the right hand: http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...ight-hand.html

Anyway, what Scrap is saying is to pull your left shoulder back when you throw the straight right. It serves as a sort of biomechanical trigger, causing your shoulders to rotate properly for the punch.

For the foot pivot, my right foot is aiming at the target at the end of the pivot. Going further tends to to make me overcommited and off balance.

Also, don't reach or lean in with your punch in an effort to get a longer reach.

[jahmez]

I started pulling back my opposite shoulder after reading one of Scrap's posts and that along with making sure my jab properly turns over if I throw a 1-2 have really improved my straight right. When turning over punches should you leave it till the last moment or should I continue turning over gradually and evenly as I throw?

[Chris Nagel]

Turning your fist over near the end of the the movement ensures that you don't raise your elbow too soon.

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

Hey ThaiBoxer

Just a couple of points that might help:

1. I would recommend NOT pivoting (spinning) the right foot, but driving from it in order to rotate the rest of the body. To allow the rotation to take place, bend the front knee slightly as the shot goes. I see this foot pivot a lot, both with the right cross and the left hook. I can't help but feel that much of the potential power of the shot goes whistling off to the right and not along the trajectory of the right arm. As the shot lands, the back foot should be on tip-toes effectively, with the ball of the foot NOT in contact with the floor.
2. Ensure that you are rotating around a fixed, vertical, central axis down the centre of the head, through the body and into the ground. This axis ensures the integrity of the rotation, ensuring that there is no bending of the body.

I've always felt that the range of punches that a boxer has to throw is at least as complicated as a golfer's swing, so we should be as analytical of our technique as your average pro golfer is of their swing. Good question and I hope my response helps in some small way.

Fran

[WayneFlint]

the pivoting of the right foot is not so much somthing that will add power to the shot, think of it instead as something the right leg has to do to allow the largest biomechanical range of motion to be attained during the straight right, rather than a movement that is going to add power to the shot.

[Scrap]

By turning the backfoot in line with the direction of the shot, interesting things occur. You dont harm the Knee AC ligament 2 the Groin is engaged as it should be as are the Hip flexus. Pulling the left shoulder back without putting strain om the Psosses muscles, so putting the weight on the backfoot for drive and stability. Plus the following shot should be a cracker, and vision and balance will be good.

[Chris Nagel]

By turning the backfoot in line with the direction of the shot, interesting things occur. You dont harm the Knee AC ligament 2 the Groin is engaged as it should be as are the Hip flexus. Pulling the left shoulder back without putting strain om the Psosses muscles, so putting the weight on the backfoot for drive and stability. Plus the following shot should be a cracker, and vision and balance will be good.

Hey Scrap. In your opinion, would putting the weight on the front foot be wrong then?

[Scrap]

Chris its a balancing act, the secret is not engaging the Heel, thats your Biomechanical Brake. Stops the TFL from engaging the abductors.