How do you punch properly?

Question

Yeah.. I know this may sound stupid but I'd like to know the proper way to punch. When I punch.. I just end up causing damage to myself. (It really hurts)

Also, question. When throwing a straight punch, do you lock your elbows?

Answer 1

When you extend your arm, you need to turn your fist horizontally.  As for your second question, no.

Answer 2

Keep your thumb outside your fingers, not inside the fist.

Aim to impact with the last three knuckles of your hand

Keep the wrist tight and straight in line with your hand, wraps might help.

Keep the arm just off straight, if you straighten your arm fully and lock the elbow you risk hyper-extension.

Answer 3

there aint no perfect way ur going to get hurt unless u haredden ur knuckles by intaking calcium and hitting it against stuff till its hard[carefully at your level] bruce lee and ali closed there hands at the last second ummm and yeah u also gatta understand for u im going to say dont turn the wrist as bruce lee had once said wisely[ but contradicted an got an a,mazing effect] there is no wrist in boxing and turn ur heel into it by keepin ur heel up and make sure that ur hand goes be4 the body so ppl don see it coming

Answer 4

There are too many minute details that cannot be explained, but shown....

loose-tight-loose, not completely rotated fist, elbow down, throw from the budy not shoulder...

Answer 5

Start with your fist rolled up so that the thumb is on top and curled inwards, you don't want to break it. Place fist palm up by your ummm, chest.... And then extend out, as you do the fist straightens so that the plam is facing the ground when you hit your target. Hit with the first two knuckles and DO NOT LOCK YOUR ELBOWS! You will kill your arms is you do. It might help to have a little snap. And remember to use your whole body, use those hips! Hope this helps!

Answer 6

First you need to know how to stand and position your body before you throw a punch. If your right handed(stronger hand for most power) you want to stand right foot back. The opposite is true for southpaw(left handed) the power comes from your feet and works its way up your whole body lots of it comes from the buttocks abs, legs chest and tricep muscles working in a rythematic motion and body weight transfer with good timing. No DO NOT lock out your elbows. and like Theonear stated the punch should twist to the horizontal position before the actual strike contact. you should also wrap your hands and wrists with hand wraps and use the proper gloves for whatever type of bag you are working on.

Answer 7

Tight fist, hit with the first two knuckles, keep your wrist straight. What part of yourself are you hurting? You may be rolling your wrist, or if you're not keeping your fist tight you may be hurting your fingers/knuckles on contact.

I don't "lock" my elbows, but they are straight-- my arm's fully extended.