Punching Power Mechanics/Waist Pivot, hip rotation help.. Can you provide some help?

[mdef303]

Let me simplify this.. Does the power in the punch come from the waist pivot, which then results of a pivot of the ball of my foot (left foot for left shots) (right foot for right shots).. or

Does the power start from the ground up, the pivot of the foot, which in turns the waist pivot and body turn.


I think the power comes from the waist pivot, which automatically pivots the right foot, or left foot, depending on the shot you throw. And letting your feet be like springs, to absorb the weight transfer and to maintain balance doing so.


Some say the power is generated from the foot pivot, im not so sure if this is the case. I think that the power comes from a quick pivot of the waist past the centerlin, which in results happens the foot pivot, acting as shock absorbers for the weight transfer.

What is your thought regarding the foot pivot when throwing shots...
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[jms]

As I've been taught, the foot pivot exists to facilitate the power being generated by the hips. Turning the foot itself mostly affects the range of motion for the hips and the ability of your muscles to work properly. The reason the foot has to turn is because for let's say a straight right the back foot has to be rooted and drive the movement while the left foot has to stabilize and help pull the left side of the body around. If the back foot doesn't turn the hips can't turn fully, and also the leg can't be in an optimal position to dig in without damaging the knee (try it, you'll feel it unless the foot is so far behind you have no weight on it). Turning the foot lets your glutes and other major muscles power the movement by pushing through that foot into the ground, which is what turns the hips.

So I agree with you that the power comes from the hips turning, and then to take that a step further the power from your hips turning comes from the muscles in your legs being in the best position to generate force in the way you need. In a way the power is coming ground up, but that power in the ground is really starting in the legs and being pushed through the feet then through the hips.

[mdef303]

As I've been taught, the foot pivot exists to facilitate the power being generated by the hips. Turning the foot itself mostly affects the range of motion for the hips and the ability of your muscles to work properly. The reason the foot has to turn is because for let's say a straight right the back foot has to be rooted and drive the movement while the left foot has to stabilize and help pull the left side of the body around. If the back foot doesn't turn the hips can't turn fully, and also the leg can't be in an optimal position to dig in without damaging the knee (try it, you'll feel it unless the foot is so far behind you have no weight on it). Turning the foot lets your glutes and other major muscles power the movement by pushing through that foot into the ground, which is what turns the hips.

So I agree with you that the power comes from the hips turning, and then to take that a step further the power from your hips turning comes from the muscles in your legs being in the best position to generate force in the way you need. In a way the power is coming ground up, but that power in the ground is really starting in the legs and being pushed through the feet then through the hips.

So in actuality, when pivoting your waist to generate power, results in the foot pivot to help bring about full rotation of the waist, which in turns for optimal power. In theory, the power from the waist turnings comes from the muscles in my legs...

I try to focus on my waist pivot more than anything, so in theory, without paying close attention, the power is actually generated from the ground, pushed through my feet, through my hips... I feel when I dial, and focus in on the foot pivot first, my hips become stiff, not relaxed, and I'm not able to get a good rotation as if I were to focus in on my waist pivot itself. Without realizing, I do feel the power in my legs on my waist pivot, and I can understand why the foot pivot is an aid to really turn my hips through the shot. I can really feel when the foot pivot happens after I torque my waist, I feel I can really drive the shot with my hips. The pivot gives me range of motion in my turn my whole body, resulting in great power. I understand what your saying. Good form my friend, thanks.

[mdef303]

Taken from this thread.. http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...ore-power.html

Quote Originally Posted by greynotsoold View Post

he wasn't getting much into the punch from his hips or his legs. He was drawing it back and throwing it from his arms and shoulders.
Freddie falls into a trap here in his way of explaining things, and it is a common one in boxing and it confuses a lot of people and leads to things being taught improperly. I am not saying he is wrong in the way he teaches it- I have seen him work at his gym in Hollywood and know people that he trained when he first went on his own and was working out of a gym in La Habra. But the explanation is wrong and conveys the wrong sequence for weight transference.
The pivot of the right foot does NOT generate the power in the right hand; it is a result of how that power is generated. The same is true of the left hook; the power does not come from the turn of the left foot, not if you are doing it right. Doing it that way puts the weight behind the punch, which makes it a push. You need to get the weight turned in front of the fist, creating a whip-like effect and concussive force.
To throw a hook, then, the first movement is to get your weight onto the rear leg. You use the muscles on that side of your body to violently wrench your body around. The first place this manifests itself is on the front foot; the violent torquing of the hips causes the foot to pivot inward. The next place it shows is in the shoulders, which turn fully over the rear leg. The fist itself never moves- it does not draw back- until the bodily tension whips it through the target.
If you watch the video, that guy is throwing the hook off his front foot. The weight never gets back to the right leg. This would show up, profoundly, if he were to try and string together punches, another right hand, for example.
My suggestion to you would be this: Exaggerate your movements until you find the feel. Throw your straight left- you are a southpaw, correct?- and really get your weight onto your front foot, then turn through it. You will feel the force I am talking about. Then get your weight back and crank off a hook. You'll find the feeling.
This is very much how Julian Jackson punched. I read an interview with him in KO magazine in the late 1980s where he talked about how he was taught and I stole liberally from what he said.

Is a nice read.

In the left hook, the ball of the foot, through the left leg muscles, getting the torque to pivot the waist, which leads the weight shift to the back foot..

I'm sure it will come with practice..

The power do come from the ground up, but I believe it is key to focus in on the waist pivot which the foot pivot is the aid, and the accelerator, to shift the weight.. and complete the full rotation of the hips..

[mdef303]

I just came back from the gym and I started to talk to the coaches about this topic and they explained that everything happens in unison. starting from the legs, through the hips, the pivot of the waist through the shoulder in a one fluid motion, so it is safe to say that the ball each foot acts as power socket, ignigting the power of the legs, hips, waist pivot, in one motion.

I found this site..

Basically everything you need to know regarding power punching

The power do come from the floor, as your feet has to be planted, powering from the floor, through your legs, the swivel of the hips, and twist at the body in one fluid relaxed motion is true punching power.

Its safe to say, that power is generated from the floor up. And the foot pivot is the result of the swivel of the hips, that torques the waist and body..

More or less if you just imagine yourself hitting with just your body, and forget your arms are there, merely a vehicle of force, you will start whipping your punches easy, relaxed, and smooth. This is all in a twist of the waist over your straight leg while pivoting, of course the your legs are the source of power.. the ball of the foot is the hinge.. The faster the twist, the greater the velocity,.... deliver over the lead foot gives the edge in power... like the hinge principle... my upper body as a door, a gate, slamming over the lead foot while pivoting..

everything should be relaxed as well.

[SugarBoxing]

Go on pal

Some of my ideas:

Jack Dempsey's explosive straight punching technique | www.SugarBoxing.com

[Chris Nagel]

We've had some very comprehensive threads on the subject:
The Straight Right: http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...ight-hand.html
The "Trebuchet" Hook: http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...tml#post418948

One of the key points besides the hinge-principle is to maximize the amount of weight transferred from one side to another through stance a la the old-timers such as Benny Leonard et al. On the other hand, a fighter with a contemporary squared-up stance, and worst one who leans onto their front leg would not be able to transfer much weight for their straight right as their right would become more of a pushing punch, e.g. Joe Frazier.

Getting your weight behind your punch is different than for instance if you'd hold out your elbow and then shift your weight over your left-leg land your elbow against a heavy bag. Rather than forgetting that your arms are there, think of them as the last link in the chain of punching movement. This goes back to what Grey was saying, i.e. the order, and the 'delay' mentioned in the aforementioned thread by Thomas. The hook is slung.