what are some good ways to improve punching speed,power, and technique?

Question

other than a punching bag because i already have one of those...but do they really make your punching better?

Answer 1

Power in punching and kicking comes from a combination of technique and timing. Proper technique coupled with perfect timing equals Power.

Quickness comes from a combination of perfect practice and a relaxed, but not sloppy delivery.

Proper technique is something that can only be learned through repetition. Practicing a particular motion over and over again imprints it in muscle memory.

My suggestion is that you train your mind to think only about the result you want to achieve, namely, CONTACT. If you do this and you don't get your mind cluttered with all the thoughts of how you are going to get your fist or foot from point "A" to point "B", you will increase you quickness dramatically.

Answer 2

Technique will come with practice
Learn to use your legs/midsection when you punch and you'll get alot more power behind every punch
Olympic Style weight lifting will help you build power also...Clean and press, Snatch, Overhead Squat, Front Squat, Deadlifts
Some secondary exercises would be for shoulders/back/chest....dont even worry about arm exercises as their just secondary muscles that help the bigger ones
Military press...preferably standing
Pull ups.....1 armed ones if you can....most people cant so dont worry too much
Bent over Row
Incline Bench press
Dips

since you want to work on power try doing 10 sets of 3 instead of the traditional 3 sets of 10

A good (and very doable) goal to have when it comes to weight being used is as follows
4 times bodyweight deadlift
4 times bodyweight Squat
2.5 times bodyweight benchpress
2 times bodyweight military press
1 handed chin up

Answer 3

Well, you could get a makiwara board. Punching it toughens your knuckles and helps improve accuracy and punching power. One mistake some karate-ka make is to let their elbows fly out to the side when they punch. This slows the punch down as well as weakens it. Punch from the center (your abdomen), this is where your power comes from. When you punch, keep your fist slightly loose, then tighten it at the moment of impact, twisting in. Don't forget to exhale as you strike.