What NOT to do

While this guide covers pretty much everything you need to know about how to punch faster and harder, the way of humans is to err. For that, I’ve included some common mistakes people usually do when punch training or in an actual fight, so you know what to avoid or correct.

Telegraphing

This is one of the most common mistakes you’ll see, especially in a street brawl. Thinking they’ll gain more momentum and strength to land a punch, people have the tendency to bend their elbows back, or to cock their arm, as they say. This actually makes you wastes energy and so loses power and furthermore causes slight imbalance as body weight is shift back and then foreward. More importantly, it’s a HUGE tell for your opponent, who will be able to see what you’re about to do and avoid your hit completely. Telegraphing prolongs the time it takes you to land a punch, and in any real fighting situation, every millisecond counts. Just don’t do it.

Overreaching

Each type of punch takes a specific distance to throw correctly. You’ve seen how uppercuts are ideal as an inside hit, meaning they’re to be used when you’re really close to your opponent.

If you have to reach too far to hit your opponent, the power of your fist will be reduced. You could also lose balance and basically miss hitting as hard as you can. regular training will enable you to find your range.

Lifting your feet

If you’re to use your entire body for a power punch, then lifting your feet as you throw will only help in decreasing your strength and make you lose balance. The appropriate stance as we have discussed is to pivot on the balls of your feet, only lifting the heels as you rotate transferring your body weight from the floor through your body to the point of impact.Both feet should be kept on the ground for maximum body torque and maximum punching power.

Squaring up your feet

This is when your feet are next to one another horizontally, instead of one in front of the other. Remember you have to keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder width, with one leading – depending on which arm you’re going to use first. If your feet are squared up, you’ll be off balance and unable to capitalise on the torque of turn your body through the full range of motion

Staying tense

This cannot be stressed enough – keep you body relaxed throughout the fight. If you stay tense, you’re just wasting energy and delivery potential. When your muscles are relaxed, you’re able to rotate your body properly, snap out punch and kicks and utilise entire body weight as you strike.