which is more powerfull. horzontal or vertical punch?

Question

i have praticed with both and in my opinion the vertical punch is better. i know i can go faster and add more power. with the stright punch i either hurt my wrist or dont get enough speed and power.

what are your thought?

Answer 1

Vertical

Answer 2

If you strike like a pussy...neither is good.
Lets analyse a bit, shall we?
Vertical punch: used in JKD, Wing Tsun, Escrima (to name a few).
Has advantages such as no telegraphing, short travel (usually coming from the front), is fast, keeps elbow low and protects.
Further to that it follows the correct power line. Look at your hand, the strongest fingers are actually the small, middle and ring finger. They do most work in gripping (why do you think golf players grap the club mainly with the small, ring, and middle finger?).
the bones in the hand naturally align with the forearm bones to form a straight line towards the elbow. Bruce Lee's one inch punch is a very good example of vertical punch.
Horizontal punch:
Used in a sequential motion (heel lift, hip rotation, shoulder shrug) this punch also packs heaps. The trick is to properly align fist and elbow. Now look at the forearm bones into the hand the the bones of the index and middle finger, you'll find a small deviation. Therefore, in some karate styles and practitioners you see the fist turning a bit in order to point the knuckles of index and middle finger more towards the target in order to align the bones in the hand with the forearm bones.
As a jab I prefer the vertical punch, for a cross I use the horizontal, feels best to me and is my personal preference.

Answer 3

Vertical punch is stronger, but any boxer/trainer will tell you the horizontal punch is better me be being one of those. I don't know why you can't get enough speed in your horizontal punches, it might just be you need to work on it a little bit more. Your horizontal punch is way faster and it uses less energy. You have a better chance of winning a fight with straight punches than hooks and such.....

Answer 4

Once you acquire the ability to generate inner strength and learn the proper method of punching without hurting yourself, any strike should be powerful. The most powerful hand strike is the one that travels with gravity, not against it or over it! Generate all your hand strikes from your center (solar plexis area). When striking horizontally, pivot on the balls of your feet and trun your heels in the same direction that your strike is moving. When executing an upward vertically strike, use your legs to extend the strike into its target. When executing a downward vertical strike, lift up onto the balls of your feet, use your body weight and drop your strike into its target. I hope this helps!

Answer 5

My opinion is that the vertical punch is better as well, and I practice Isshinryu Karate which uses verticle punches nearly exclusively. (Master Shimabuku actually did teach "twist" punches for a short period in the 60's) It seems quicker to me, and like your muscles can be focused forward rather than on a twist. But, I've seen guys who throw twist punches with great success. maybe it's just a matter of what you're comfortable with. (Like some painters used oil paints, others use acrylics exclusively)

Answer 6

technically, it depends on the distance of your opponent...vertical punch is more powerful if your opponent is close to you and horizontal if the opponent is far from you...

if you hurt your wrist while punching, that means you only punch with your hands...it also produces the least amount of power and speed...

this is the anatomy of the basic punch...it starts with the base of the foot, the energy starts there, then it is uncoiled followed by hip rotation, the shoulder and finally the knuckles landing the target, and it has to be done in one smooth flowing motion...

happy punching :-)

Answer 7

Straight punchs are more effective but of course you have to move your hip and body alittle to add power into the punch. A straight direct punch is faster and quicker. Moving your body with the punch and hips will add some power with it.

Answer 8

Neither.

The 3/4 punch is more effective.

Because the lines of the bones and structure of your body are neither horizontal nor vertical.

Answer 9

I actually think horizontal punch is more powerful.
Vertical punch comes at an angle that is just more difficult to dodge or block.

Answer 10

i think vertical