Hi Guys,
I’m new here and just wanted to add my opinion on the subject. I hope that we can all respect our views even if they are wrong and just give explanations on why and how we believe we are right.
I’m of the opinion that totally locking the elbows out every single time is incorrect but i also believe that the structure of the arm elbow and shoulder must align in a straight line hence the idea of having completely locked out elbows. The theory behind this is that you create a force balance between the floor, your foot, the structure of the body, arm and hand for maximum force.
However it isn’t always necessary to have completely locked out elbows to deliver the punch.
If you analyse a punch in the air for example, the force of the punch occurs and ends at the end of the punch where the maximum travel of the punch occurs.
This becomes a problem because in order to get full extension on the punch and the straight line alignment the force of the punch ends in the direction of the punch and puts strain on the soft tissue of the elbow. So in order to alleviate this problem we slightly pull the punch back at the end and keep this elbow slightly bent. When this happens we lose a small amount of reach and slightly decrease the force of the punch. (Two opposing forces in the same direction decreases the overall force - not me, physics)
Then if we analyse the difference when punching an object like a person, a heavy bag or a focus pad, we see that the final force of the punch where it meets another object no longer ends in the elbows and joints of the arms but has a reactionary force that rebounds the energy back into the arm and the structure of the body. If the punch occurs 2 inches before maximum extension and ends 2 inches behind the target then the maximum force of the punch occurs where the two forces collide.
If the final travel of the punch does not end at maximum extension after impact where the arm is bent the shock of the reactionary force actually ends in the muscles of the arm rather than being absorbed into the structure of the body. Done over a round of punching this would easily tire a person out as the harder one would hit, the more force would be absorbed into their muscles. Tense and tired muscles end in a less powerful, slower punch over all.
The problem with this topic is that it seems that it has categorized into a 1 size fits all answer. The reality is that there isn’t really a final “never ever” on the subject and that it will depend on the dynamics and structure of the punch.
So in short my opinion is that in terms of a straight punch as long as the moment of impact occurs 2 inches before extension and follows through after the punch then you’re doing the punch right when hitting an object.
If you’re instead doing the punch in the air, then you should be holding the punch back just slightly to avoid the shock on your joints.
Which one do you do more? Practice both until they become completely integrated into your body mechanics where you can hold back when you miss and hit with full force when hitting an object
Kindest regards
Ed