The swivel punch, commonly known as a swivel jab, is a boxing technique that involves generating additional power on a jab by rotating your torso and throwing it as if it’s a hook. It’s one of the more advanced techniques used in boxing and is effective at the highest levels of the sport.
Manny Pacquiao sent Keith Thurman to the canvas with a swivel punch when they fought in 2019, and Terence Crawford hurt Errol Spence Jr. badly with the technique during their super-fight.
This article will explore the mechanics behind the swivel punch, its benefits, and training tips to master it.
Understanding The Swivel Punch
Throwing a swivel punch is a lot like throwing a lead hook. The mechanics are the same for the most part, but instead of your fist traveling in a circular motion, you launch it straight at your opponent. This allows the punch to travel further while leaving your opponent thinking you intend to throw a hook. Imitating the mechanics of a hook also adds some element of surprise to the technique since your opponent is left expecting a punch to the side of their head while you throw the jab between their guard.
Here are the mechanics for the swivel punch:
- Stance: Get into your standard boxing stance with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Your lead foot should point at your target while your rear foot is slightly angled outward. You should feel balanced and stable in a proper boxing stance.
- Hip And Shoulder Rotation: The swivel punch relies on you rotating your hips and shoulders to generate additional power for the jab. Pivot the ball of your rear foot as you rotate your hips and throw the punch.
- Arm Extension: Extend your punching arm as you rotate your hips and shoulders. This allows the power generated by pivoting your rear foot to be transferred through your hips, shoulders, and arms. Keep a little bend as you extend your arm toward the target to avoid overextending it and losing your balance.
- Hand Position: Keep your hand balled into a fist with your thumb wrapped around your fingers as you make contact with the punch. Keep your wrist straight as you land the punch to minimize the stress it puts on your wrist. Feel free to take a half step if you need to do so to close the distance on your target.
- Follow Through: Follow through after making contact with the target as if you were trying to drive your fist through your opponent’s head and quickly bring it back to your guard so you can protect yourself against counters.
Some Of The Things You Should Avoid When Executing The Technique
- Avoid rotating your torso too much since that can negatively impact your balance, taking power off the punch. Instead, rotate your body as you normally would when throwing a lead hook.
- Keep your hands up as you prepare to throw the punch so you can block any counterattacks your opponent throws.
- Keep your feet properly positioned before and while throwing the punch. Punch foot placement can lead to a loss of balance, taking power off your punch while leaving you vulnerable to counterattacks.
- Keep your core tight when throwing any technique that requires rotating your body to ensure power generated by your legs is transferred through your hips, core, and shoulders into your arm.
Benefits
- Increased Power: Adding rotational power to the swivel jab generates significantly more power. This makes the swivel jab an effective way to stun opponents at the start of combinations and cause damage.
- Adds The Element Of Surprise: The rotational movement of your legs, hips, and torso as you throw the punch often gets opponents to anticipate a looping attack, leading to them moving their guard to the side of their head to protect against the punch. This leaves them vulnerable to the powerful jab coming down the middle. Also, most boxers don’t expect you to follow up with a jab when throwing a combination since jabs are often used to set up combos, not finish them. Using the swivel punch technique allows you to surprise your opponent with a jab when they’re expecting a hook.
- Improved Footwork: Drilling the swivel jab helps to improve your footwork and ability to control your body. The pivoting movement used while throwing the punch can also be used defensively to evade attacks.
- Extra Reach: The jab is your farthest-reaching weapon as a boxer, and the swivel jab covers even more distance.
- Strengthen The Core: The twisting motion involved in throwing a swivel punch engages muscles in your core, helping to strengthen them. Practicing your swivel punch on a heavy bag allows you to refine your technique while building up muscles in your core
Mastering The Swivel Punch
Now that we’ve gone over how to execute the swivel punch and the benefits of the technique, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can incorporate it into your fighting style:
1) Shadowboxing
If you’ve never drilled the swivel punch before, start by practicing without a training partner or equipment. Focus on using proper form and keeping your movements fluid as you practice its mechanics.
Make sure you rotate your hips and shoulders as you drill the technique repeatedly. When you feel comfortable, practice landing it on an imaginary opponent, using your feet to move in and out of range while shadowboxing.
2) Heavy Bag
Once you’ve learned the swivel punch technique, add it to your heavy bag workouts. The bag’s resistance will help develop more power and improve accuracy.
3) Pad Work
Work with one of your instructors or training partners while they hold pads for you. They will give you feedback and let you know about any adjustments you should make. That way, you’re not building improper muscle memory.
4) Footwork Drills
Improving your footwork will make it easier to land the swivel punch. Dedicate a portion of your training routine to footwork exercises like jump rope, cone drills, and agility ladders.
Confuse Opponents With The Swivel Punch
The swivel punch is a sophisticated technique that can significantly increase your effectiveness inside the ring. It’s the most powerful type of jab you can throw and one of the hardest to block. Some of the biggest names in boxing have been put on their backsides with the swivel punch, so add it to your fighting arsenal.
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