Punching Techniques: The Uppercut

Step 1:

To throw a right uppercut, start in the classic boxing stance with both your knees slightly bent. Lower the right shoulder to drop the right side

of the body in a semi-crouch position bybending the right knee more. Remember to keep your hands high and elbows in as you drop to the right.

Don’t pull your hand away from home until you are throwing the punch. Bury your chin as always. 

Step 2:

Now drop your right hand about 4 inches away from your body keeping your thumb up. Transfer your weight to the left leg by pushing the ball of the back foot (the right foot), rotating the heel out and begin rotating your hips forward while you now throw the punch rotating your right palm so it faces you, and punch up. Your right foot and hand are rotating simultaneously as you drive up with your legs. The right side of your back and the right shoulder will follow through with the rotation of the hips. 

Step 3:

The hips finish being squared to the front. The right arm always stays close to the body and moves upward in a semi-circle. For the most effective and powerful punch, keep the elbow bent at a right angle during the delivery and follow through add the arm drive on contact.

Step 4:

Uppercuts to the body will cause the opponent's body to fall forward. Step away slightly and complete the combination with another uppercut to the head.

Left Uppercut

Step 1:

Again start in a proper boxing stance with both your knees slightly bent. Lower your left shoulder to drop the left side of the body in a semi-crouch position by  bending the left knee more. Remember to keep your hands high and tight as you drop to the left keeping your elbows in. Don’t pull your hand away from home until you are throwing the punch. Bury your chin as always. 

Step 2:

Now drop your left hand about 4 inches away from your body keeping your thumb up.  This being most fighters lead hand you MUST bury that chin. Transfer your weight to the left leg by bending that knee putting your head almost over your left knee. Now pushing on the ball of your left foot rotating the heel out drive up driving your left knee across the front of your body like the hook Begin rotating your hips forward while you now throw the punch rotating your palm so it faces you and punch up. Your left foot and hand are rotating simultaneously as you drive up with your legs. The left side of your back and the right shoulder will follow through with the rotation of the hips. 

                                Some things to Remember:

 Start in a good stance.

0. When your body dips down bring your hands up and tight.
0. Keeps elbows in.
0. Bury the chin
0. Bend the knee of the hand you will be using.
0. When punching you must rotate your palm to your face.

0. Drive up with your punching side leg rotating your weight to the opposite leg.

0. Explode up.

0. Snap hand back home quickly.

0. Never make the uppercut the last punch of a combination. Follow the right with a hook and the left with a straight right to close you up defensively.

0. Don’t throw the uppercut at an opponent’s head if he is taller than you (don’t reach).

0. Don’t throw it at an opponent moving backwards.

0. Don’t throw a lead uppercut as the first punch of a combination.