Punch (combat) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Punch

A jab by a boxer preparing for a championship fight

A punch is when you hit something with your closed hand, called a fist. It's a very common move in many martial arts and combat sports. For example, in boxing, punches are the only way to attack. To keep athletes safe, they often wear hand wraps or gloves to protect their hands during training and fights.

Different martial arts use punches in various ways. Some styles, like western boxing, Suntukan, or Russian fist fighting, only use punches. Others, such as kickboxing, Muay Thai, Lethwei, or karate, use both punches and kicks. Then there are sports like wrestling and judo that don't use punches at all in competitions. There are many kinds of punches, and each fighting style might have its own special ways of throwing them.

Types of Punches
Punching Styles in Sports
- Boxing
- Karate
Images for kids
See also

Types of Punches

There are many different ways to throw a punch. Here are some of the basic types you might see in martial arts and combat sports.

Name	What it is
Backfist	You hit with the back of your fist. A spinning backfist is when you spin around completely before hitting, which adds a lot of power!
Casting Punch	Used in Sambo and MMA. Your shoulders move forward first, making your bent arm whip out to hit your opponent.
Chain Punch	This is a fast attack mostly seen in Wing Chun. You throw many punches very quickly from a close distance.
Chambered Punch	A punch common in karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do. It starts from a "chambered" position, meaning your hand is pulled back close to your body before striking.
Cross or straight	A straight punch thrown with your back hand. It gets its power from turning your hips.
Double Axe Handle	You put both hands together in a fist and swing them down like you're swinging an axe. It's not very effective but sometimes seen in Professional Wrestling.
Hammer Fist	You bring your closed fist down on the target, usually hitting with the outside part of your fist.
Haymaker	A big, wide punch where your arm swings out from your shoulder. It's named because it looks like swinging a scythe to cut hay. This punch needs a long wind-up, which can leave you open to an opponent's attack. It's often seen in street fights rather than trained martial arts.
Hook	You turn your body to aim at the side of the head or body. You must hit with your knuckles, not a flat fist.
Jab	A quick, straight punch thrown with your front hand, usually from a distance. It's used to distract, keep distance, set up other moves, or for defense. You hit with the tips of your knuckles.
Leopard Blow (Long Fist)	You tuck your fingertips against your knuckles to make a "long fist." This punch has less power but can reach further and hit smaller, soft areas.
Lunge Punch	You step forward with one leg and punch with the hand on the same side. It's common in Karate and Taekwondo forms.
One Inch Punch	Made famous by Bruce Lee. You throw a punch from just an inch away from your target, using your whole body to create a lot of power.
Overhand punch	A punch thrown with your back hand in a semi-circular, downward motion. It's often used when an opponent is ducking or moving their head. It can be very powerful. You hit with the tips of your knuckles.
Reverse Punch	Similar to a lunge punch, but you punch with the hand opposite to your stepping leg. It's known as Gyaku-Tsuki in Karate and Baro Jireugi in Taekwondo.
Shovel Hook	A close-range punch that's a mix between a hook and an uppercut. It's often used to hit the body at a 45-degree angle, like a liver shot. You hit with the tips of your knuckles.
Sucker punch	A punch that completely surprises the person you're hitting. It can knock them out or seriously hurt them because they don't see it coming.
Superman Punch	A move used in Muay Thai, Taekwon-Do, and mixed martial arts. You lunge forward, pushing off with your back foot, and punch with the opposite arm. It looks like Superman flying!
Uppercut	Your fist moves upwards towards the target, usually the head or upper body. It can get past an opponent's guard because most people hold their arms vertically to block. You hit with the tips of your knuckles.
Upset Punch	Starts with your fist pulled back (chambered position), palm facing down. It's delivered to the stomach or solar plexus (the area just below your ribs).

Punching Styles in Sports

Boxing

In boxing, punches are named by how they move and where they go. You always hit with your knuckles. The four main punches in boxing are the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut.

Karate

A karateka performing a 'reverse punch' or gyaku zuki being performed by two young boys.

In karate, punching techniques are called tsuki or zuki. You hit with the first two knuckles of your fist (called seiken). If you use another part of your hand, like the back of your fist (uraken) or the bottom of your fist (tetsui), it's called a strike (uchi) instead of a punch.

Some karate punches include the thrust punch oi-zuki (made with the front hand), the straight punch choku-zuki, and the reverse punch gyaku-zuki (made with the opposite hand). There are many other types too!