Fundamentals
Drive the uppercut in a straight line
Fixed elbow
Swing an uppercut in a big arc and, when it misses, you can't stop the momentum. You lose your balance and leave yourself wide open. Keep your elbow angle fixed and drive it straight up from below by the shortest path. Even if it misses, it hits the opponent's arm or body and stops, so you keep your balance and can get straight back to your guard.
| Type | Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Goals | Uppercut Techniques |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Drive the uppercut in a straight line: how to do it
- From your guard, set the elbow angle on the punching side.
- Without changing that angle, drive your fist straight up from below in one line.
- Whether it lands or not, stop there instead of swinging your arm through.
- Bring your fist straight back to your guard.
Drive the uppercut in a straight line: key points
- Keep the elbow angle fixed and punch by the shortest path, as if stabbing upward.
- A big arcing swing can't stop its momentum when it misses, and you lose your balance.
- Drive it straight up and even a miss hits their arm or body and stops, so your balance holds.
Drive the uppercut in a straight line: common mistakes
- You scoop it up from below with a big swing. Then when it misses your body drifts and you leave yourself wide open.
- You drop your fist before punching. Then the motion gets bigger and they read it.
Drive the uppercut in a straight line: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, repeat driving straight up with a fixed elbow angle, on both the left and the right.
- Get close to the heavy bag and drive short uppercuts without letting your elbow angle open, checking that you can get straight back to your guard as you finish.
Related techniques
By goalUppercut Techniques
Left and right are written for orthodox (left foot forward). If you're southpaw, swap left and right as you read. How to read the notation
This is Japanese-style boxing: techniques as taught at a boxing gym in Japan. American or Mexican coaches may teach some of them differently.