I’ve heard this term thrown around a lot by MMA fighters before the UFC show in Australia, and I didn’t quite understand what they meant. I believe it was in relation to power, and how they formerly weren’t connecting with any, but now they’ve learned how to. I’m assuming they learned to plant and transfer from foot to fist, but I’m not sure. Thoughts?
[quote]Beershoes wrote:
I’ve heard this term thrown around a lot by MMA fighters before the UFC show in Australia, and I didn’t quite understand what they meant. I believe it was in relation to power, and how they formerly weren’t connecting with any, but now they’ve learned how to. I’m assuming they learned to plant and transfer from foot to fist, but I’m not sure. Thoughts? [/quote]
I think you pretty much got the idea of what it means. Said fighter finally has good enough technique to transfer power into their punches.
See now I don’t understand that. How were they not planting? It’s just weird for me to think about. Now I know I throw arm punches if I’m tired and not focused, but other than that what were they possibly doing wrong? Any ideas?
[quote]Beershoes wrote:
See now I don’t understand that. How were they not planting? It’s just weird for me to think about. Now I know I throw arm punches if I’m tired and not focused, but other than that what were they possibly doing wrong? Any ideas?[/quote]
Hmmm…good question. Not having good footwork to match their strikes. You know,like when you see someone who moves really well…but never really takes that split second to “dig” into the ground and deliver their strikes. They want to throw punches from their unicycle…lol. Or the person who reaches for everything…i.e. having no comprehension of timing/range. Or maybe it could be not having enough bend in the legs when throwing power shots.
There are many small variables that can apply on a more individual level,but those are the things that come to mind and that I see often with our guys.
Let’s see if I can help-
Look at this clip of Pretty Boy- he strikes solid with a straight right and left hook, but he is on balance, on his toes, throwing his hooks and straight rights. He’s more concnerned with not coming off balance then he is of really loading up the punches- and you can’t really do both at the same time. Against Marquez, his knockdowns were more a function of timing and accuracy than of outright power.
Now look at this clip of Marciano. He was desribed as having awful movement and poor footwork, and derided for not staying on his toes. But still- look at the POWER he gets. He’s flat footed, body is low, coiled almost, and he explodes up, using his bodyweight and pushing off the ground and turning as much power into his shots as possible. Check out 1:13 for an example of this. Or 2:03 in relation to a brutal short right hand.
So think about it- you’re punching the heavy bag and acting like pretty boy, snapping out a jab, following with a right, then stepping offline.
Now, act like Marciano, bobbing and weaving, keeping your feet flat, and pushing off the ground, turning all your weight into the bag with every shot.
That power is the difference. It’s not for every fighter or every style, but for those that use it it can be deadly.
Here’s a better look at his punch power- 1:40 in here is Marciano knocking out Walcott with one of the hardest punches you’ll ever see. Look at him- crouched low, flat feet, all his bodyweight behind it. And knocks Walcott clean out.
Wow Irish when you said maywheather stayed on his toes you weren’t kidding! I always though people meant it as a figure of speech, but you can really see mayweather is actually ON HIS TOES. It’s weird. What’s funny to me is that shot Marciano KO’d Walcott out with didn’t look super powerful to me, but DAMN! Thanks guys, you two are a couple of the few reasons I still post here.
[quote]Beershoes wrote:
Wow Irish when you said maywheather stayed on his toes you weren’t kidding! I always though people meant it as a figure of speech, but you can really see mayweather is actually ON HIS TOES. It’s weird. What’s funny to me is that shot Marciano KO’d Walcott out with didn’t look super powerful to me, but DAMN! Thanks guys, you two are a couple of the few reasons I still post here.[/quote]
That’s why Mayweather is so amazing… his balance and timing are incredible. For a guy who fights on his toes SO MUCH, he does generate alot of power though.
However, Marciano had a punch that could knock out a bull. Never underestimate that short right hand- especially with the bodyweight behind it.
Glad I could help you out man.
It’s about controlling your center or what the Chinese call Dan tien. For every action there is an equal action in the opposite direction. When you hit your opponent or a heavy bag the force of your blow is going to try to push your body away. When your center is high your body will push away easily and absorb some of the energy. If your center is low your body won’t push away so you are going to be able to transfer more power into what you are hitting.
When the feet are planted flat and the center carried low like Marciano that is what they call being rooted. His energy isn’t going to kick back and move him it’s all going into his opponent.
If you watch Mayweather he keeps his weight low at times as well. Look at 1:29 of the video, he’s leaping in with his right side somewhat up, but on his left which he is punching with he has his leg bent keeping his center low on the side he is punching with.