Traditional Muay Thai Punches?

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 12:30pm

I must be blind, but I've watched the video 5 times, and the kid always maintains the bend in his elbow while throwing the punch. The elbow never "locks out" like during a snatch. His fist is in line with his shoulder but the elbow is slightly off line.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 1:09pm

Originally Posted by selfcritical

I must be blind, but I've watched the video 5 times, and the kid always maintains the bend in his elbow while throwing the punch. The elbow never "locks out" like during a snatch. His fist is in line with his shoulder but the elbow is slightly off line.

Not sure what to tell you other than that you're wrong. If I could manage to take a screen capture of his extended arm I would. If you're not straightening your arm, you aren't going to have a solid jab. He throws a few lazy jabs just to demonstrate certain other specific elements of the jab, but when he really pops it out there his arm is at full extension. This is also partly dependent upon range (if you're closer, you won't be able to fully extend as easily).

A few more examples

YouTube - How to Throw a Jab Properly

YouTube - How to Throw a Good Powerful Boxing Jab Punch, Boxing Lesson

arm fully extended, thumb down.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 1:13pm

Keep in mind that you're not just jamming your arm into a straight and locked position, you're exploding it out from you're shoulder so that your fist basically flies to the end of your reach, your elbow straightens for a split second because you don't have any muscular tension in your arm holding it back (if you're relaxing your arm properly) and pops back into place at your guard position.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 1:17pm

Much clearer in those clips. The first guy was probably just being lazier. If my arms naturally hyper-extend when i "lock out" will the technique need to be adjusted? I'm naturally double jointed in the elbows and that sometimes causes weirdness.

**ProudClod** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 1:22pm

Thanks a lot for the incredibly useful info guys! I'm going to practice the **** out of this punch :D

**Anna Kovacs** · Posted On: 7/30/2009 1:30pm

Originally Posted by selfcritical

Much clearer in those clips. The first guy was probably just being lazier. If my arms naturally hyper-extend when i "lock out" will the technique need to be adjusted? I'm naturally double jointed in the elbows and that sometimes causes weirdness.

As long as you keep your arm totally relaxed I think you should be ok, but I don't have any experience with being double jointed.

edit: posted by kidspatula, whoops!

**IMightBeWrong** · Posted On: 8/01/2009 6:23am

I've always been taught to dip the thumb in Boxing. Its intent, whether or not it really makes a difference, is to add to the snapping effect of a jab or straight. Sounds like your school has taken it to the next level, though. I wouldn't try it, personally, although I am more comfortable dipping the thumb with my punches a little bit.

**MMAMickey** · Posted On: 8/01/2009 6:37am

i always found i get more power from having my fist pretty much level.. my defence is fine without cokscrewing my punch

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 8/01/2009 9:46am

Your arm is more solidly extended and your top two knuckles are more solidly aligned if you corkscrew your fist as you punch. It's not going to make or break your boxing, but it does make for a better all around punch.

**MMAMickey** · Posted On: 8/01/2009 11:23am

Originally Posted by KidSpatula

Your arm is more solidly extended and your top two knuckles are more solidly aligned if you corkscrew your fist as you punch. It's not going to make or break your boxing, but it does make for a better all around punch.

right, just tried it on the pads.. and absolutely no difference.. the only benefit was when the pad holder held the pad at a dodgy angle the twisted punch might hit it where a level one would scuff