Before we begin, try this scenario - Find something big and heavy that is difficult for you to move, then stand about 12 inches away from it with your feet together, put the palms of your hands against the object, and start giving it a good push.
Unless you have super human powers, the first thing that happens is you start to lean back and lose your balance.
Now if I ask you to do the same again using your own technique - You will instinctively stand further away from the object, keep your arms straighter, take a stance that puts one foot a good distance in front of the other, then lean towards it and start pushing.
You have no real chance at all of moving the item using the first scenario, but there is a much better chance that you will move it in the second one. Your power levels didn't suddenly increase, and you haven't sprouted larger muscles. All you are doing is using a much better technique and getting improved results.
That gives you a basic idea of why a proper boxing punch can be so devastating.
If you just swing your arms, the effect is similar to the first scenario - Yes you will throw a punch, but it will be MUCH less effective as you are only using your arm muscles. Now if you know how to use those much bigger muscles in your legs and torso to help, as in the second scenario, you can suddenly unleash a LOT more power. So using the proper posture, movement, and weight transfer when throwing those punches, is what makes all the difference.
Assuming that you already know a basic boxing stance, you can now try throwing a punch with your rear hand. So keep your feet planted where they are and "swivel" your upper body from your hips. First to the right, then quickly round to the left and back again. Keep repeating that same motion over and over again, and you'll begin to understand how you should move your upper body when throwing a proper punch.
Now, for even more power, you want to add those big leg muscles into the movement - So, drive your rear leg down into the ground just before you start to move that upper body, then practice those two movements together. You may feel a bit awkward at first, but with repetition and practice it will become second nature to you.
Finally, your arm movements - Take your stance in front of a heavy punching bag and get ready to start delivering those much more powerful punches.
Remember those days when you thought it was fun to grab yourself a wet towel and use it as a "whip" to deliver a sharp sting to the anatomy of some unfortunate person nearby? Well that's the concept you want to bear in mind when you add the arm movements.
Imagine your target being about 2 or 3 inches inside that heavy bag. Then swing that punch in a quick sharp movement, and snap it quickly back afterwards as you return to your stance position again.
It takes a lot of practice to synchronise the leg, torso, and arm movements together. But when you begin to grasp those fundamentals, and throw a good strong punch into that bag, you will hear a loud deeper sound on impact.
Don't worry if the heavy bag doesn't swing around too much when you land those punches either, it isn't designed to do that. The only time it swings about is when you follow through too much after throwing a punch, and actually push it. That isn't necessary, as it's the moment of impact that causes the damage, not the follow-through.
Unless you have super human powers, the first thing that happens is you start to lean back and lose your balance.
Now if I ask you to do the same again using your own technique - You will instinctively stand further away from the object, keep your arms straighter, take a stance that puts one foot a good distance in front of the other, then lean towards it and start pushing.
You have no real chance at all of moving the item using the first scenario, but there is a much better chance that you will move it in the second one. Your power levels didn't suddenly increase, and you haven't sprouted larger muscles. All you are doing is using a much better technique and getting improved results.
That gives you a basic idea of why a proper boxing punch can be so devastating.
If you just swing your arms, the effect is similar to the first scenario - Yes you will throw a punch, but it will be MUCH less effective as you are only using your arm muscles. Now if you know how to use those much bigger muscles in your legs and torso to help, as in the second scenario, you can suddenly unleash a LOT more power. So using the proper posture, movement, and weight transfer when throwing those punches, is what makes all the difference.
Assuming that you already know a basic boxing stance, you can now try throwing a punch with your rear hand. So keep your feet planted where they are and "swivel" your upper body from your hips. First to the right, then quickly round to the left and back again. Keep repeating that same motion over and over again, and you'll begin to understand how you should move your upper body when throwing a proper punch.
Now, for even more power, you want to add those big leg muscles into the movement - So, drive your rear leg down into the ground just before you start to move that upper body, then practice those two movements together. You may feel a bit awkward at first, but with repetition and practice it will become second nature to you.
Finally, your arm movements - Take your stance in front of a heavy punching bag and get ready to start delivering those much more powerful punches.
Remember those days when you thought it was fun to grab yourself a wet towel and use it as a "whip" to deliver a sharp sting to the anatomy of some unfortunate person nearby? Well that's the concept you want to bear in mind when you add the arm movements.
Imagine your target being about 2 or 3 inches inside that heavy bag. Then swing that punch in a quick sharp movement, and snap it quickly back afterwards as you return to your stance position again.
It takes a lot of practice to synchronise the leg, torso, and arm movements together. But when you begin to grasp those fundamentals, and throw a good strong punch into that bag, you will hear a loud deeper sound on impact.
Don't worry if the heavy bag doesn't swing around too much when you land those punches either, it isn't designed to do that. The only time it swings about is when you follow through too much after throwing a punch, and actually push it. That isn't necessary, as it's the moment of impact that causes the damage, not the follow-through.