How to Throw an Overhand Punch

An overhand punch, sometimes called a straight punch or power punch, is a powerful and difficult to defend hand-striking technique. Used by professional muay thai fighters as one of their punching staples, the overhand can be deadly if thrown correctly. Follow these steps to throw an overhand punch.

Instructions

1. Set the punch up. You need to think a few strikes ahead before you throw your overhand punch. Jabbing, footwork and a few good fakes will help you to make your overhand punch hand "disappear," causing your opponent to drop his guard from that hand and open himself up to the punch. Try working with a jab first, firing high, strong jabs as you keep your back hand cocked against your cheek.

2. Throw the punch as your jab returns. As you're snapping your jab back to a defensive-cocked position you should throw the overhand punch. Power the punch by pushing off your back leg so you can twist your hips and leverage your back shoulder forward to power the punch. Aim the punch three to five inches behind your target so you get maximum power when you actually hit the target.

3. Defend through and after the punch. The overhand punch leaves you in a relatively unguarded position while you're punching. To defend against possible attack keep your jab hand in a defensive position, high and tight to your head. If you throw the overhand punch from a clinch try to spin away from your opponent as you complete the punch in order to get enough distance to avoid or to block a counter attack.

4. Throw the punch with combinations. Like with the basic jab-overhand punch combo, the overhand punch is deadly when used with the correct combinations. Use defensive kicks to bring your opponent's focus to your lower body and then close distance so you can complete the combo with your overhand punch. Also, don't be afraid to switch your leading leg and hand so you can throw the overhand from the other side if you detect a weakness in your opponent's blocking.