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Step 1
Determine which hand is your strong hand. Although you can throw a straight hand punch with either your left or right hand, it will be most effective if you use your strongest hand. Most right-handed fighters have a stronger right hand, while left-handed fighters have stronger left hands.
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Step 2
Get into a basic boxing stance. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent. If you're right-handed, your left shoulder should be pointed toward the other fighter and your right shoulder should be back. The opposite is true if you're left-handed.
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Step 3
Keep both hands up. They should hover just under the chin, with your forearms in front of your body. This will protect you from the opponent's punches.
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Step 4
Begin the straight hand punch from the foot. Push off your back foot and pivot toward your opponent, twisting your foot, leg, torso and shoulders. Concentrate on bringing power up from your leg, hips, trunk and shoulders and channeling it into your fist as you twist your body. If you don't pivot your body, your punch will be much weaker than if you use the correct form.
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Step 5
Aim for the other fighter's face. Punch out in a straight line and extend the arm out all the way. At the point of impact, your feet and body should be facing the other fighter. Snap your hand back to your chin as you twist your body back to the beginning position.
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Step 6
Remember to keep your left hand up throughout the punch so you have a guard up to protect you front a counterpunch.
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Step 7
Practice shadow boxing in front of a mirror to work on your form and technique.
