The straight right is the one you throw with your preferred hand – naturally.

For the right-handed boxer, it’s the straight right. Starting from the guard position, the right hand is thrown straight from the chin on a direct line to the target. Unlike the jab, which is an arm powered punch, the right is powered by a torquing torso and a  pivoting right foot. Feel your back going into this one. The punch should accelerate and explode as the right heel of your pivoting foot swings outward. After the impact the hand is sharply returned to guard.

Because of the weight transfer involved, the straight right is considered a  power punch. But the weight transfer is also the weakness of power punches because in a split of a second the boxer is  off his stance, and therefore exposed. After throwing the straight right,  a boxer should get back to guard quickly. The risk of throwing this punch, too often, outweighs the natural please of launching your favourite hand.

The straight right should be thrown straight from the chin without wind-up or dips of the shoulder. The punch accelerates as it track toward the target. Immediately before the explosion the fist clenches. Tension is immediately released as the hand snaps back to guard.

The straight right is best utilized behind the jab or a counter after a defensive move.

The high cross should return along the same path. Using the hinge principle, the punch should be powered from the rear foot. Raise the heel of the back foot, but not the ball.

Low cross

While throwing the lower cross, you should be in the same position as the lower jab punch but with your waist bend to the opposite side.