The Cross or Straight

Chad Boykin on The Cross:

You should feel as though your feet are firmly planted and under you so that you are well-balanced. Begin by keeping the elbows in tight to your ribs, hands up, elbows pointing down. Quickly turn your hip (bending the knee and turning the hip over) and extend your back arm, rotating your fist a quarter turn so that your palm is facing down when the arm is extended.

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Reality Check: The cross is definitely the most powerful punch, only rivaled by the spinning backfist. However, it can break your hand, depending on where you hit your opponent. Aim for the side of the jaw, the side of the neck (just below the ear), or the temple (if you must). Otherwise, use it to the body or use the palm strike from that range.