Throw The Punches! Erm, What Punch Is That?

Boxing has always been a popular sport. It was started by the Greeks in the seventh century A.D. and is considered as one of the first Olympic competitive games. Boxing might easily be characterized as a sport where a lot of punches are thrown. However, players can only stick with legal punches.

The following discussed are the legal punches that boxers could throw.

Jab

A jab is a rapid punch that is thrown from the front guard hand. Even if this movement does not inflict much pain, it is the most used form of punch. It is very easy to throw and it does not usually reveal a weak spot to the opponent. Jabs are used strategically to intimidate an opponent or to test his strength. Jabs are also used as trick punches. The number of jabs thrown and landed can be the determining factor of a victory especially if the fight is very close and no boxer was knocked down.

Straight

A straight is a lot like a jab since it is quick but it is more powerful. Unlike a jab, a straight is delivered from a distance far from the target. The punch gets its power from the force of the swinging motion of the shoulders of the boxer. A straight punch will be counted as a cross punch if the punch is thrown across the body and not straight ahead. Boxers who focus on speed rely on a combination of jabs and
straights to win. Examples of boxers who love to throw fast straights include Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao.

Hook

A hook is a punch that is thrown in a semi-circular motion. The target of the hook punch is usually the side of the head or the ribs. Hooks can be very lethal when thrown at the head. People who get hit with a powerful hook usually lose their sense of balance for several seconds. Hooks can also make boxers temporary deaf especially if the punches hit the ears. Hooks to the body are practically ideal for bigger opponents. Famous boxers who use the left hook effectively include Joe Frasier and Mike Tyson.

Uppercut

The uppercut is a very powerful punch and is usually considered to be the most lethal legal punch in boxing. The uppercut is thrown in an ascending vertical motion. The target of an uppercut punch is usually the chin but some boxers throw uppercuts to the torso of their opponent. Although an uppercut is very powerful, it is used rarely. This is because by doing an uppercut, all defenses are lowered. That is why boxers only throw this punch when they are sure that there is an opening to a weak spot. The uppercut is usually the finishing move in a combination of deadly punches.

These are the four basic punches that boxers are allowed to throw. Boxers should refrain from punches such as rabbit punches and low blow punches because these things could cause serious injury or even death. A boxer who throws illegal blows will lose the game by default. While the legal punches could cause a lot of pain, they are not that deadly and that is why boxers should stick with them.