Coach Samantha

How to: Throw an Uppercut

Last month, we looked at how to throw a cross. This month, let’s take a look at the hook.

A quick review: Why does technique matter? Clean technique ensures safety; improper positioning can be damaging as it can led to hurt joints or pulled muscles. Technique is also the foundation for speed and power. In order to have a strong and quick punch, you must also have great technique.

The following steps will assist you in perfecting your uppercut:

Step One (Fig. 1):

Just as with our previous punches, first begin in your guarding stance - hands up protecting your face, with elbows tucked in by your ribs (fig. 1). Like with out hook, our uppercut can be thrown off either side. Depending on the combo, the uppercut will come off the lead or rear side.

Step Two (Fig. 2):

To throw an uppercut, we are going to drop the hand that is throwing the punch slightly from our guard. Be careful not to wind up - that is strictly for the movies! While dropping your hand, begin positioning your hand. As you drop your hand, you are going to turn your fist so your palm is facing the ceiling (fig. 2).

Step Three (Fig. 3):

Next, we want to twist our hips (fig. 3). If our right hand is throwing the uppercut, we will twist onto the ball of our right foot, and if our left hand throws the uppercut, we will be on the ball of our left foot.

As we twist, we also make contact with the bag. As with our previous punches, make sure that is your knuckles making contact with the bag.

Step Four (Fig. 4):

To complete the technique, you want to pull your hand back to its place in your guarding position and return your feet back to their original position (fig. 4).

The most important thing to remember, with any technique, is that form is the most important aspectmore important than speed and power.

Once you have the technique, then we will add the speed and power.

Practice the uppercut at home or even on the bag before your next class. If you ever want to go over the uppercut or any other technique, ask any coach in the club.

Hands up in front of your face.

Drop the hand that is throwing the punch and turn palm towards the ceiling.

As you extend your arm, twist onto the ball of your foot, while turning your hips.

Click Here!

Click on the link to the left for a video demonstration of the uppercut.

Return to original guarding stance - hand to cheek and heel “flat.”