This latest video in the 90 Second Boxing Tips series is quite simple and straightforward.
I am going to give you an overview of the the most technically and physically challenging punch that a boxer throws – the uppercut.
When throwing the uppercut there a couple of key points to observe. Watch the video then just review the key lessons below:
The uppercut is all about splitting the guard of the opponent, attacking the centre line. In order to attack the centre line the shot needs to land with the forearm on the vertical plain.
To enable you land the shot with a perfectly vertical forearm, focus on the following:
- When initiating the shot, do so from the foot – the rear foot for the back hand and the front foot for the lead hand.
- Generate an explosive thrust from that foot and perform a variation on the rotation of the hips. In effect the hips rotate and drive upwards towards the end of the rotation. This will allow the vertical alignment of the forearm. If you under-rotate then the you will end up with neither a hook nor an uppercut.
A little tip when using the uppercut to the body. Aim for the solar plexus (just below the sternum). In order to deliver that shot, make sure your elbow (of the throwing arm) scrapes your ribs as it goes. Also, drop your knees slightly to reduce the risk of taking incoming shots (your punching hand will be away from the guard position for less time).
To access a series of 6 videos on uppercuts to the head check out this link.
To access a series of 2 videos on uppercuts to the body check out this link.
As always, comments and questions below.
Cheers
Fran
by 
Another old time titbit…. the solar plexus punch made famous by Bob Fitzsimmons, was not aimed or landed upon the solar plexus. Bob threw it two inches to the left or right of the area where the sternum ends and twisted it on impact imbedding knuckle. Causes excruciating pain and winds as well as the solar plexus. Two birds, one stone.
A few fingers jabbing into the region will enlighten anyone as to the terrible area.
Brilliant. Paid to have that knowledge of human anatomy and the pain point. another nice little historical insight, cheers John.
Hi Fran , Great 90 secs again and defo a guard splitter, if the forearm isnt straight your never going up the middle, have a look at this link , this us at our club in sweden , let me know what you think http://goo.gl/NSR6xl, all the best mate and merry xmas
Thanks Fran, well MBC has helped me alot fran with the technical stuff and given me a good insight into how to present information , you can be the best boxer in the world but if you cant pass on the knowledge and information in a clear and positive way its not going to work and this is what MBC has done for me, and i really love the ninety second boxing tips they are just perfect for me, so thank you .Thanks for the kind comments on our club have a happy new year fran
Hi Fran,
Thanks for the feedback. If you watch your video again, you will see that as a matter of routine your are also ‘fading’ your hips from one side to the other and then adding the upward thrust. So you’re really doing it as the great Dempsey describes and combining it with the ‘shovel hook’ hip thrust that he describes.
I also wanted to let you know that I tried the lead hand hook and uppercut with ‘flat foot’ like your pro-am friend/coach teaches. I really like what it does for the uppercut. Especially when stepping in with the lead foot. It can be done almost as Dempsey describes the ‘Falling Step’. Boom! Extra power coming off a larger base for sure! The hook, I’m not so sure of. I’m too ingrained with the throwing the hook off the ball of my lead foot. By throwing the hook off of a flat foot you’re still rotating on the ball of the foot, if I understand it correctly. It’s just that the heel skims the surface of the floor rather than rising in typical fashion. Otherwise, the foot would be planted and not turn at all. You would only be dipping the knee and torquing the hip. Which is how I’ve heard Hopkins describe how he throws a left hook. It goes to what I said before about individual bio-mechanics. Different strokes for different folks! Have a good one Fran!
Thanks Ric
I’ll let my pal know, that’s a very interesting distinction between using the flat foot on the upper and the hook. Horses for courses mate.
Have a fantastic Christmas Ric (will be dropping you an email before then though).
Cheers
Mare boxing sikhavi 6
Hello again Fran,I too am not keen on long range uppercuts although I’ve seen a few fellows who could use them very well.We call body rips and uppercuts to the head “underarm”punches for want of a better title and sometimes to get a quick message to the fighters while sparring “don’t use underarm punches at that range”.etc.I hope this makes some sense mate.ha,ha.I’ll include a link to a story of that Mark Di Mori fellow you asked about for your interest Fran as I don’t know much about him at all.Catch you mate.Regards Terry.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/have-gloves-will-travel-boxer-mark-de-mori-back-in-perth-briefly-but-home-is-where-career-takes-him-20150324-1m6szr.html
Thanks mate. Think I’ve lost interest in the Heavies for now, pretty abysmal state of affairs!!!
I don’t blame you mate,Unfortunately I watched that rubbish the other week-end.One of the worst fights I’ve seen in recent memory.They won’t get me a second time.
Cristalclear!
Thanks for your time & wisdom coach!
You’re welcome, thanks very much.
Thanks for the interesting article Fran.I’m playing catch up as I’ve just come in from work and noticed your latest clip in my email just as I was about to have a look at the side step clip,so I have done it arse about and had a quick look at the Uppercut one first.ha,ha.I also was taught exactly as Pug described.Only small difference is that we still call them body rips here.My old teacher was a very good left ripper and he used to tell me in order to get a straight path to the target(and generate power) you do as Pug said and shift your hip across before delivery.Again,good series of articles mate.Regards Terry
Cheers Terry, well happy that guys as knowledgable and experienced as you and Pug take time to watch and comment, it really boosts my confidence and life, like boxing, is a confidence game 🙂
Hi Fran,
Excellent video. I’ve seen coaches teaching ‘uppercuts’ to the body that are, in reality, hooks to the liver and spleen areas. It has to be vertical in order to split the guard to provide a clear shot to solar plexis or the chin. However, Jack Dempsey, in his book, Championship Fighting, in which he dedicates an entire chapter to uppercuts, ascribes the upward torquing of the hips to a ‘shovel hook’. Conversely, with the uppercut(s), he describes letting your hip “fade” or “sway” to the opposite side/hip that you are delivering the punch from to allow the striking arm to slide smoothly through the movement. I realized after reading and walking through the steps Dempsey describes that that is the way I was taught. The analogy he uses is to that of a golfer completing a golf swing. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on that. Also, Bernard Hopkins, in his Perfect Execution series only demonstrates the uppercut to the head and advises only using it in close range. That it is a dangerous punch to throw from the outside due to exposure and the opportunity to be countered. eg. Buster Douglas vs. Evander Holyfield. Hopkins also demonstrates in, PE – hooks, using what he describes as a shovel hook to split the guard as a opposed to calling it an uppercut. However, he does not torque his hips upward. He simply makes a shoveling motion with his arm much like what I think you and I would refer to as an ‘up jab’.
p.s. when are we going to see the ‘fighting inside’ video that you’ve been working on?