Expert: Jack Rose - 3/21/2008

Question
Hi, can you tell me, or refer other sources, on how to throw an uppercut?

Where does the power from an uppercut come from?
What is the proper movement (legs, midsection and head) to have an effective uppercut?
What is a good training excercise to build power?
For a right, how does the weight transfer from foot to foot? What do I do with my legs?
Is my forearm supposed to be perpendicular to the floor?
Are my knuckles supposed to face back at me?
Do my shoulders lean?
If I am orthodox, would I ever through a left uppercut?
All I have is a heavy bag. Any other way you know to practice uppercuts?

Sorry if this is overload, please do as best you can. I want to know as much as possible about this aspect of the sweet science as possible.

ps. Thank you in advance. And this is a great site for anything!


Answer
Hi Andrew,  all the power from the uppercut comes from the legs and rotation of the body. To throw it, you lean over like your picking something up off the ground, just not all the way down. The punch needs to come straight up from the hip so you actually move your hip out of the way so your elbow can sweep right by it and drive the fist straight up. The power comes from the legs, then the hip, then the shoulder rotation. Your weight transfers to the side that your throwing the uppercut from because of the shoulder lean. The punch is not one you throw often. It is dangerous if you do not throw it quick and short because it leaves you exposed.
On rare ocassions, you can throw a left uppercut. If you throw it correctly, it can be devastating behind a left hook to the body because you throw it inside and it is already basically under their chin from the start assuming he is a righty. It will not work much against a lefty.... their stance screws up the angle you need.

Good Luck,

jackson