Left arm punch

[Michael]

When we punch with the left arm on the backswing, our arm extends from both the elbow and the shoulder. Should we maintain this extension through impact, or does the left shoulder return to the same extension it had at address?

[Tathata Staff]

Michael,

The punching motion is felt from the start of the backswing to the end or top of the backswing. The arm slowly extends which loads the shoulder and straightens continuously throughout the entire motion to the top of the backswing. At the start of the downswing, the right arm begins to straighten into and through impact. Because of this and both arms working to continuously straighten from the top of the downswing through and out of impact, it would be safe to say the left arm is much straighter at impact than it was at address.