Though many boxing matches end with both participants still conscious, the knockout punch in is seen as the climax of a fight in popular culture. If you’re hoping to increase your chances of winning, learn more about how to throw an effective knockout punch.

Punching Technique Tips

Stance

Although the knockout punch can be a single blow, it’s more often a series that produce the desired effect. A punch that delivers enough force to the brain can cause the opponent to fall unconscious.

Rather than raw physical strength, punching power rises from a proper stance, through the torso, into the shoulders, and explodes through the fist.

When setting up for a punch, bend the legs slightly to build momentum. The forward foot should point about 15 degrees away from the target, and as the legs straighten, pivot the rear foot so it faces the opponent. This movement is the initial power grab from the floor to the hips.

Continue the motion from the legs, and twist the hips to bring the shoulders’ momentum forward. This increases the momentum further and aligns the top half of the body with the swing.

When striking an opponent, tighten your fist and exhale. Exhalation helps with timing and empties the lungs. If the opponent strikes back, you won’t get the air knocked out of you.

Mistakes to Avoid

To make a fist correctly, extend the fingers straight out from the body. Tightly curl the fingers at the second joint, and curl again to bring the fingers tightly into the palm. Fold the thumb down to cover the index and middle fingers.

Throwing a punch generates an accumulation of energy from your body and slams it into a semi-solid object, the other person. If thrown incorrectly it can break or shatter fingers, the hand, or the wrist.

When contact is made, the thumb should face the floor and the third knuckles should face the ceiling. Make contact with the index and middle finger’s third knuckles. These two bones align perfectly with the radius bone in the forearm and provide extra strength and shock absorption to the hand.

Where to Aim

A solid hit to the face will cause the brain to slam against the skull, which may knock out the opponent. But there are other nerve centers that may become overloaded if hit correctly: along the jaw, behind the ear, and on the temple. The latter is one of the softest spots on the skull and more susceptible to hard hits.

The best way to target a specific area is by distraction or a series of soft blows. A bolo punch, or feint, will persuade the opponent to lower their defenses from the area you wish to strike. As long as they’re protecting an area, you won’t get to it.

If you want to learn the right techniques in boxing, reach out to Tessa Moon of TM Productions. She has an extensive record, winning her first 12 amateur fights before moving to Hawaii in 2016. Under the tutelage of Joel Kim, she has expanded her experience and boxing skills. To set up a meeting, call (808) 291-7817 or visit her website.