Comments on: How To Throw a Dynamite Overhand Punch

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:42:46 +0000

An overhand power punch is great in a boxing match — where the combatants are using handwraps and padded gloves. But in a bareknuckle dustup, it’s a disaster. If you hit someone in the skull with a power punch, you virtually guarantee a broken hand.

Some previous commenters complained about the risk(s) of broken hands from hitting an opponent’s jaw. I have to disagree; it is perfectly safe to hit someone on the jaw. However, it is not as easy to do as you might think. Nobody sets out to hit the forehead or to hit an elbow, but it can happen if you are not careful with your wild overhand power punches. Better to use precise straight punches or short-range hooks when you can see exactly what it is that you are aiming at.

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:42 +0000

Dave,

The only thing you said that I disagree with is “Never compromise strength for speed.” I have only trained a few months for mma a number of years ago. However, I have been boxing for a number of years now. It is likely that one will telegraph when trying to throw a very hard punch. I also believe that someone could still do a lot of damage with a punch half as hard, while not losing their balance and throwing faster. I have never been knocked out boxing but I have been much closer from five half strength punches to the head coming fast than one or two hard punches. I think it only takes a few seconds to recover from a hard blow. If you can land a lot of fast punches you are likely to overwhelm the guy and he will probably drop his guard if he is untrained. At that point sure, throw the money maker. I just say don’t come out swinging for the fenses.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:52:54 +0000

What I by meant by punching with the “flat” of the hand, is to attempt to evenly distribute the blow to your top row of knuckles. You obviously misunderstood what I meant by keeping one’s wrist as straight as possible. The idea is to throw a hard punch by striking with your top row of knuckles while avoiding bending your wrist as much as possible as to prevent damaging your wrist on impact. I dont know how your wrist is shaped, but mine remains fairly straight with a slight angle downwards when I strike…thus exposing the top row of knuckles to take the impact…Only a fool would suggest punching a man with his second row of knuckles.

By: Clay

Clay — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:10:53 +0000

Dave,

You never hit with the flat of your fist, never ever. That is the weakest most vulnerable way to throw a punch. The strongest, least vulnerable fist is the hammer fist. I was a gold glove boxer in my youth in the state of New York, and as everyone knows there is no shortage of quality boxers and trainers in that section. You say to impact the flat of your fist with your wrist straight. That is not possible. With your wrist straight your fist makes an arrowhead shape with the second row of knuckles making the impact. Thia has and always will be the least vulnerable way to throw a punch and not break you wrist or hand.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:54:16 +0000

Gentlemen, a good solid punch to a man’s jaw, chin, or nose will not break your hand in a street fight if executed correctly. One must learn to make a proper fist and attempt to evenly distribute the force of the blow to the “flat” of the hand. A good way to achieve an effective fist is to hold something in your hand as to prevent the breaking of your knuckles(roll of quarters is very effective…avoid using a lighter, they can explode). It is very important to keep your wrist as straight as possible. Make sure you do not over extend your arm as to prevent damage to your elbow. Punch straight, not from the side, and make your elbow follows your fist as straight as possible. I have been in quite a few street fights, I have studied mma techniques and I can say I have never punched a man properly who did not go down, nor have I ever injured my self on a man’s face. If you believe you run the risk of injuring your self from punching someone perhaps you should not be in a fist fight. That is not to say that very good fighters have not broken their hands in fights. I believe in these cases the person sporting the broken hand had either weaker bones than the person they hit, or they threw an incorrect punch. Drinking plenty of Milk is an excellent way to strengthen your bones. I have drank 2 or 3 glasses nearly ever day of my life, and I have extremely high bone density. If you have to crack someone aim for their nose, jaw, or chin. Throw as many strong and accurate punches to the face as possible, make sure your left leg is in front of you(for right handed guys). When moving it is better to “shuffle” in in as opposed to walking or running. Never compromise strength for speed. Do not flail like a mad man, or an experienced fighter will find an opening and end the fight either through knockout or submission. If you see their legs are straight you can kick their knee in and break it. Hope this helps.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:38:26 +0000

@ Jason

You’re never too old to throw a punch Jason.
Check this story I read recently that literally had me on the floor laughing.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196479/Pictured-The-battered-bruised-face-burglar-got-wrong-72-year-old-boxer.html

Sometimes ……
SOMEtimes!
The news can really brighten your day!

By: Zero

Zero — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:41:44 +0000

Two techniques I learned in Ninjutsu, at the most basic. (I am a Ni-Dan, and have been teaching for 5 years. Not that that means anything over the ‘net.)

A) If you’re going to hit someone in the face, first sweep away their defense with your jab hand (Left, if you’re right handed.) This leaves them very vulnerable. Follow *immediately* with a right to something soft on the face. Nose, eyes, and cheeks are all very tender areas to be punched in, and they won’t cause quite as much damage to your hands. Note: When thowing this Wheel punch, Both hands should be moving at the same time. Make a wheel toward the opponent starting with the left and connecting with the right.

B) The quickest way to knock an opponent out of a fight is to use either the heel of your palm or your elbow and strike the Solar Plexus (just below the sternum.) Use the wheel technique above and instead of throwing a punch, use a palm strike or collapsing elbow (Punch, then snap forward with the elbow strike using your own momentum,) or both, as the palm and collapse are compatible. This will at the very least knock the wind out of them, probably knock them out and will hurt like a mother.

By: Will

Will — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:30:12 +0000

@Jason

Keep in mind though that regardless of age, someday someone could be throwing a punch at YOU. It’s a good thing to stay up on, if only for self-defense.

Cheers,
Will

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:58:37 +0000

Thanks for the info, but I’m too old to be throwing punches.

By: Twisted_Colour

Twisted_Colour — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:35:07 +0000

Kicking your opponent in the nuts is more than effective, and if some manliness obsessed wanker tries to tell you that a nut-shot isn’t manly, kick him in the nuts as well.

By: Bartitsu: The Martial Art of Gentlemen | ProfeC.net

Bartitsu: The Martial Art of Gentlemen | ProfeC.net — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:56:06 +0000

[...] How To Throw a Dynamite Overhand Punch [...]

By: DoomRater

DoomRater — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:25:02 +0000

ROFL, this article feels so basic that I didn’t really get anything out of it! If you threw a punch like this without adequate practice, you could easily throw a haymaker instead of an overhand or straight or cross. And committing to this punch leaves it much more of an all or nothing punch, so if you’re gong to throw this shot, MAKE SURE YOU HIT WITH IT!

By: Max Hydrogen

Max Hydrogen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:23:52 +0000

Speaking from experience, do not hit a guy in the back of the head; you will break your hand.

By: sam

sam — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:52:55 +0000

To tell the truth I agree with everybody on here. I must add the key 2 throwin a successful power punch is also about oppurtunity and timing. I’ve seen so many fights where 1 guy will throw his first punch and put everything into that punch and miss and the other guy will counter and most of the time the fight goes in that other guys favor(the one who counters the punch). Its about oppurtunity don’t just swing with everything hoping you will hit. You got to wait till the time is right and you see an opening in which u can really deliver the crushing blow. Also its about timing too. I’ve heard and seen a great way to get a good clean hit; sumtimes a persons whole body is open when they throw a punch. With enough speed and an understanding of timing you can deliver a great hit to his face before his punch even decides to take flight

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:54:11 +0000

Alot of very powerful punches can be thrown from a variety of directions and positions using some of the elements you describe here. In my limited experience in martial arts (2 years) I’d say the most important factors are 1) stepping into the punch and pushing off with the rear leg 2) twist your torso using everything from your hips to your shoulders, and 3) focus the tension of the punch on the point of impact.

Using these techniques, you can throw punches that will make a good sized (100-200 lb.) punching bag dance all over the place. If you do it right, you can throw these punches in quick succession without leaving yourself too open, and also without leaving your opponent very much time to react. Even if he blocks the first five shots, your next eight will pummel him to the ground.

As for hard objects, you can replace the heavy bag with harder things such as wrapped wooden planks to toughen your hands. With enough toughening the bones get incredibly strong, but the downside is that they’ll be somewhat deformed and there’s not much of a way for your bones to go back to normal so far as I’ve seen.

Great post though, and I hope more guys get out to their local gym and meet the ever lonely heavy bag.