Punching power is a term that describes the amount of momentum in a person's punches. Knockout power is a more specific term for the probability of any strike to the head to cause unconsciousness in an opponent, usually referred to as a knockout, or King-Hit in Australian English. [1][2] Knockout power is related to the impulse delivered and precision of the strike.
In order to increase the mass behind a punch, it is essential to move the body as a unit throughout the punch. Power is generated from the ground up, such that force from the ankles transfers to the knees; force from the knees transfers to the thighs; force from the thighs transfers to the core; from the core to the chest; from the chest to the shoulders; from the shoulders to the forearms and finally the compounded force transfers through the fist into an opponent. So the most powerful punchers are able to connect their whole body and channel the force from each portion of the body into a punch.
Generally, there are 5 components to punching power that must be present for a puncher to be considered truly powerful: lack of arm punching, proper weight shifting, stepping during a punch, pivoting with a punch, and using proper footwork.[3]
This body connection requires the development of a strong core. The core is perhaps the most important element in a powerful punch, since it connects the powerhouse of the legs to the delivery system of the arms. Basic core conditioning exercises include abdominal crunches, situps and leg raises.[4]
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