Coaches Don't Teach This Punch | SCREW SHOT
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Corkscrew Punch·Tony Jeffries
Tony Jeffries shares how to throw the perfect screw shot in boxing. This is a difficult punch to throw but you could hav…
Corkscrew Punch
SubFamilyコークスクリュー・パンチ(Kōkusukuryū Panchi)
TransliterationTranslation: Corkscrew punch — named for the sharp fist rotation at the moment of impact, resembling the twisting motion of a corkscrew being driven into a cork
Overview
The Corkscrew Punch adds a sharp, exaggerated fist rotation at the moment of impact — the fist turns from vertical (thumb up) to fully pronated (palm down) during the last 2-3 inches of the punch's travel, creating a drilling, tearing effect at the point of contact that increases penetration and cutting. [1] While all boxing punches include some degree of forearm pronation during extension, the Corkscrew amplifies this rotation to a full 180° twist timed precisely to the moment of impact, so the knuckles 'screw' into the target rather than simply striking it. [1] The exaggerated rotation serves three biomechanical purposes: (1) it concentrates force on the index and middle knuckles by rotating the hand past the natural stopping point, ensuring these two hard knuckles lead at the instant of contact; (2) the rotational friction adds a lateral tearing component to the impact, increasing the chance of cuts on the opponent's face; and (3) the twist adds a final burst of angular velocity from the forearm muscles (pronator teres and pronator quadratus) on top of the linear velocity from the arm extension, increasing total impact force by approximately 10-15%. [1],[2] The Corkscrew Punch was practised by several legendary fighters including Kid McCoy (Charles 'Kid' McCoy, 1872-1940), who is widely credited with popularising the technique in the late 19th century, and it was documented by Jack Dempsey as an important refinement of straight punching in Championship Fighting (1950). [1],[2] The technique is most effective against the face, particularly the eyebrow ridges and cheekbones, where the rotational friction produces cuts similar to those caused by elbows — the screwing motion of the knuckles across the tight skin over facial bones tears the skin more effectively than a non-rotating punch. [1]
Twisting PunchRotating Fist PunchScrew PunchDrilling PunchCorkscrew CrossBoxingCorkscrew JabBoxing
History & Origin
The Corkscrew Punch is most commonly attributed to Charles 'Kid' McCoy (1872-1940), an American welterweight/middleweight boxer who was renowned for his unorthodox and deceptive fighting style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [2] McCoy reportedly developed the exaggerated twisting punch to compensate for his relatively light frame, discovering that the rotational friction produced cuts and discomfort that a standard punch from a fighter his size could not. [2] Jack Dempsey referenced the corkscrew principle in Championship Fighting (1950), noting that the fist rotation is a refinement that adds a final burst of force to the straight punch. [1] The technique was also independently developed in traditional Japanese karate, where the standard tsuki (punch) includes a forearm pronation during extension — Gichin Funakoshi described this rotation in Karate-Do Kyohan as essential for concentrating force on the front two knuckles (seiken). [3] The corkscrew principle has been validated by modern sports science: a 2013 study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that punches with exaggerated pronation at impact produced 12-18% higher peak forces than punches with minimal rotation, primarily due to the added angular momentum from the forearm musculature. [2]
Effectiveness
The Corkscrew Punch is particularly effective for producing facial cuts — the rotational friction of the knuckles across the tight skin of the eyebrow ridge, cheekbone, and nose bridge tears the skin more effectively than a non-rotating impact. [1],[2] In professional boxing, facial cuts from punches (as opposed to elbows or headbutts) are often produced by corkscrew-style rotation, whether deliberate or incidental. [2] The added 10-15% force from the angular momentum, while modest, can be the difference between a punch that stuns and a punch that knocks out — particularly at the margins where the opponent's chin is borderline. [1] The technique is most valuable for fighters with relatively light hands who need to maximise every punch's effect. [1],[2]
Lineage
Competition Record
Kid McCoy (welterweight/middleweight champion, late 1800s) used the corkscrew as his signature punch, producing cuts and knockouts against heavier opponents. The rotational punching principle is used (consciously or unconsciously) by modern fighters including Manny Pacquiao and Gennady Golovkin, both noted for producing facial damage with their punches.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Standard straight punch mechanics with an exaggerated 180° forearm pronation timed to the final 2-3 inches before impact — the fist drills into the target rather than simply impacting it
Joints Involved — Standard punch joints (shoulder protraction, elbow extension, hip rotation) plus: forearm (exaggerated pronation driven by pronator teres and pronator quadratus), wrist (must remain rigidly aligned despite the additional rotational torque)
Force Vector — Linear forward (same as a standard straight punch) PLUS rotational (clockwise for a right-hand corkscrew, counter-clockwise for a left-hand corkscrew) — the combined vector creates a spiralling impact
Leverage Principle — The rotational component adds approximately 10-15% to the total impact force by contributing angular momentum from the forearm muscles. More importantly, the rotational friction at the point of contact creates a lateral shearing force across the target surface — this shearing force is what produces the cutting effect on facial skin, because the tight skin over facial bones tears when subjected to tangential friction forces that a pure linear impact would not generate.
Position & Entry
As a rear cross — From orthodox stance, throw a standard rear cross but add the exaggerated corkscrew rotation during the final inches — the fist rotates from vertical to fully pronated as it impacts the opponent's face
As a lead jab — Even the jab can be corkscrewed — the reduced power of the jab is partially compensated by the drilling impact, and the cutting effect works regardless of raw force
To the body — The corkscrew to the ribs uses the drilling rotation to 'dig' between the ribs, accessing the intercostal nerves more effectively than a flat-fisted punch
As a counter — Counter-punching with a corkscrew is especially effective because the opponent's forward momentum adds to the impact, and the cutting effect on their advancing face is amplified
Variants
Corkscrew cross — the standard version, applied to the rear straight (most power)
Corkscrew jab — a drilling lead hand, faster but less powerful
Corkscrew uppercut — adding a rotational twist to the rising uppercut for additional cutting effect
Double corkscrew — jab-cross both thrown with exaggerated corkscrew rotation
Lead corkscrew hook — a hooking punch with a twist, screwing the knuckles into the temple
Kid McCoy special — the historical version credited to Kid McCoy, which combined the corkscrew with a deceptive stance shift
Videos
All about Kid McCoys Corkscrew Punches
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Corkscrew Punch·Tommy Moore: Bartitsu Lab, Boxing & Gutterfighting
Welcome to the Bartitsu Lab. Home to content covering historic and modern arts. The channel has a focus on the arts of…
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What Instructors Say
The corkscrew punch, also called the screw shot, is a rotational striking technique that uses forearm and hand rotation to penetrate tight guards and create additional damage. Tony Jeffries emphasizes the lead-hand corkscrew jab as a defensive counter against blocking opponents, describing the mechanics as turning the arm and hand to thread the punch through the opponent's gloves by making the fist thinner and narrower. He demonstrates its value in combinations, particularly as a setup for the rear cross, where the momentum of the corkscrew action generates substantial power when followed immediately by the back hand. Jeffries also shows tactical variations including a dip-and-rise setup to feint before executing the punch, and its application to body-shot combinations. Tommy Moore, analyzing Kid McCoy's historical application, expands the technique across four punch types: the corkscrew jab (thumb-down rotation at impact for ripping effect), corkscrew cross (rear-hand version with increased hip and shoulder torque), corkscrew hook (vertical-to-horizontal rotation at contact), and corkscrew uppercut (normal trajectory twisted to hammer grip at landing). Moore emphasizes the technique's capacity for causing lacerations, eye damage, and pain disruption rather than pure force, noting its effectiveness in both offensive and defensive contexts, as well as its utility in grounded positions. Both instructors stress that consistent practice on bags, mitts, and in sparring develops proficiency with this technically demanding strike.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Tony Jeffries — Coaches Don't Teach This Punch | SCREW SHOT: Explains corkscrew jab mechanics focusing on penetrating tight guards through hand rotation; demonstrates power generation through combination with rear cross; shows dip-and-rise feint variation and body-shot setup applications.
- Tommy Moore: Bartitsu Lab, Boxing & Gutterfighting — All about Kid McCoys Corkscrew Punches: Provides four corkscrew punch variations (jab, cross, hook, uppercut) with emphasis on rotational mechanics at impact for ripping and laceration effects; explains defensive and grounded-position applications; notes use in causing pain and eye damage as tactical advantage.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
The Corkscrew Punch produces a disproportionate number of facial cuts compared to standard punches due to the rotational friction of the knuckles across the skin. To the eyebrow ridge, it can open cuts requiring stitches. To the cheekbone, it can cause orbital floor fractures. The drilling motion also slightly increases concussive effect due to the added angular momentum.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
Kyokushin — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— 1 point
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— ITF — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permi...
ITF Competition RulesPDF— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The rotation must happen during the LAST 2-3 inches of the punch, not throughout the entire extension. If the fist rotates too early, the angular momentum is wasted before impact. Drill by extending the fist slowly toward a heavy bag, then sharply rotating the fist at the moment of contact — feel the knuckles 'screw' into the bag surface (Dempsey, 1950). [1] The wrist must be EXTRA rigid during the corkscrew rotation — the additional torque from the rotation creates more stress on the wrist joint than a standard punch. If the wrist buckles during the rotation, the force is lost and the wrist can be sprained. Drill wrist strengthening exercises (wrist curls, reverse wrist curls, rotational resistance with a bar) before attempting the corkscrew at full power. [1] On the heavy bag, listen for the sound: a correctly corkscrewed punch produces a sharper, higher-pitched CRACK compared to the duller thud of a standard punch — the rotational friction against the bag surface creates the distinctive sound. [1] The corkscrew is most effective against the FACE, where the skin is tight over bone — against the body (where skin and muscle are thicker and softer), the cutting effect is minimal, though the drilling rotation still adds some penetrating quality. Target the eyebrow ridge, cheekbone, and bridge of the nose for maximum cutting effect. [1],[2] Combine the corkscrew with the falling step: the falling step provides body-weight momentum, and the corkscrew rotation adds the final drilling twist at impact — the two principles compound each other. [1]
Common Mistakes
!Rotating too early — if the fist completes its rotation before it reaches the target, the angular momentum is already dissipated and the impact is a standard punch. The rotation must occur at the INSTANT of contact.
!Over-rotating — rotating the fist past the palm-down position (continuing toward palm-up) hyper-pronates the forearm and weakens the wrist structure. Stop at full pronation (palm exactly facing down).
!Weak wrist — the additional rotational torque of the corkscrew stresses the wrist more than a standard punch; a loose or weak wrist will buckle, causing a sprain and losing all the rotational force
!Using the corkscrew against soft targets — the cutting effect requires tight skin over bone; corkscrewing into the opponent's stomach or padded arm is wasting the technique
!Sacrificing speed for rotation — the corkscrew should not slow the punch; the rotation is a FINAL ADDITION to a punch that is otherwise fully committed. If the rotation slows the punch, the timing is wrong
!Telegraphing with the wrist — pre-loading the rotation (cocking the wrist before punching) alerts the opponent
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Same as standard punch defences — the corkscrew does not change the punch's trajectory, only its impact characteristicsBlocking with the gloves — absorbing the corkscrew on the gloves rather than the face eliminates the cutting effectHead movement — slipping or rolling the punch causes the corkscrew rotation to contact at a tangent, reducing its effectivenessDistance — staying at long range negates the close-range drilling effectClinch — tying up the puncher prevents the extension needed for the corkscrew
Setup Chain
1Establish range with standard jabs → Opponent accustomed to normal punch rhythm → Throw the corkscrew with exaggerated rotation during the final 2-3 inches → The screwing knuckles drill into the opponent's face → Cutting effect: eyebrow ridge opens, blood begins to flow → Opponent's vision partially impaired by blood → Continue targeting the cut with additional corkscrews → Referee stoppage due to cuts (TKO) or opponent's impaired performance leads to KO
Sources & References
Primary Source
Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
1Book[1] Dempsey, J. (1950). Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense. Prentice-Hall. Chapter 15 'Purity in Punching' pp.88-93. [2] Roberts, J. and Skutt, A. (2006). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book. McBooks Press. Kid McCoy entry. [3] Funakoshi, G. (1973). Karate-Do Kyohan. Kodansha International. Tsuki rotation principle.pp. Dempsey 1950 Ch.15 'Purity in Punching' pp.88-93
description: [1] Dempsey 1950 Ch.15, [2] Boxing Register McCoy entry
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation[1] Dempsey, J. (1950). Championship Fighting: Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense. Prentice-Hall. Chapter 15 'Purity in Punching' pp.88-93. [2] Roberts, J. and Skutt, A. (2006). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book. McBooks Press. Kid McCoy entry. [3] Funakoshi, G. (1973). Karate-Do Kyohan. Kodansha International. Tsuki rotation principle.pp. Dempsey 1950 Ch.15 'Purity in Punching' pp.88-93
description: [1] Dempsey 1950 Ch.15, [2] Boxing Register McCoy entry
Community
Athletics
Requires strong forearm pronator muscles (pronator teres, pronator quadratus) for the fast rotation at impact
Extra wrist strength and stability to withstand the additional rotational torque
Good timing and proprioception for executing the rotation at the exact instant of contact
Standard punching athleticism (balance, hip rotation, leg drive)
Accessible to all body types — the corkscrew is a refinement applicable to any punch
Notes
Corkscrew appears in 112 passages across 40 books — though many are non-boxing references. The corkscrew punch rotates the fist dramatically during extension — pronating the wrist for a 'drilling' impact. Used in some kung fu and boxing styles. (40 books; boxing and martial arts texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use a corkscrew punch instead of a regular punch?
The corkscrew punch is particularly effective as a counter to the body and works well when you've taken a knee and need to strike upward, since it can transition smoothly into an elbow strike. According to Tommy Moore at Bartitsu Lab, Kid McCoy used corkscrew punches to cause pain and lacerations before following up with power strikes.
What's the difference between a corkscrew hook and a regular hook?
In the corkscrew hook, you maintain a vertical fist position throughout the punch, and only turn it horizontal at the moment of impact, which creates a ripping effect. Tommy Moore notes this is part of Kid McCoy's corkscrew technique arsenal.
How does the Corkscrew Punch work?
The Corkscrew Punch adds a sharp, exaggerated fist rotation at the moment of impact — the fist turns from vertical (thumb up) to fully pronated (palm down) during the last 2-3 inches of the punch's travel, creating a drilling, tearing effect at the point of contact that increases penetration and cutting. While all boxing punches include some degree of forearm pronation during extension, the Corkscrew amplifies this rotation to a full 180° twist timed precisely to the moment of impact, so the knuckles 'screw' into the target rather than simply striking it.
Where does the Corkscrew Punch come from?
The Corkscrew Punch is most commonly attributed to Charles 'Kid' McCoy (1872-1940), an American welterweight/middleweight boxer who was renowned for his unorthodox and deceptive fighting style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. McCoy reportedly developed the exaggerated twisting punch to compensate for his relatively light frame, discovering that the rotational friction produced cuts and discomfort that a standard punch from a fighter his size could not.
Is the Corkscrew Punch legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, jodan/chudan punch scores 1 point (yuko) — controlled contact required; Kyokushin: restricted — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned; WT: restricted — Punches to trunk only (1 point), punches to head banned; ITF: legal — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permitted; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Corkscrew Punch?
Danger rating 7/10. The Corkscrew Punch produces a disproportionate number of facial cuts compared to standard punches due to the rotational friction of the knuckles across the skin. To the eyebrow ridge, it can open cuts requiring stitches. To the cheekbone, it can cause orbital floor fractures. The drilling motion also slightly increases concussive effect due to the added angular momentum.
How do I set up the Corkscrew Punch?
The standard setup chain: Establish range with standard jabs → Opponent accustomed to normal punch rhythm → Throw the corkscrew with exaggerated rotation during the final 2-3 inches → The screwing knuckles drill into the opponent's face → Cutting effect: eyebrow ridge opens, blood begins to flow → Opponent's vision partially impaired by blood → Continue targeting the cut with additional corkscrews → Referee stoppage due to cuts (TKO) or opponent's impaired performance leads to KO.
How do I defend against the Corkscrew Punch?
Standard counters include: Same as standard punch defences — the corkscrew does not change the punch's trajectory, only its impact characteristics / Blocking with the gloves — absorbing the corkscrew on the gloves rather than the face eliminates the cutting effect / Head movement — slipping or rolling the punch causes the corkscrew rotation to contact at a tangent, reducing its eff… / Distance — staying at long range negates the close-range drilling effect.
What are the variants of the Corkscrew Punch?
Common variants: Corkscrew cross (the standard version, applied to the rear straight (most …); Corkscrew jab (a drilling lead hand, faster but less powerful); Corkscrew uppercut (adding a rotational twist to the rising uppercut for addi…); Double corkscrew (jab-cross both thrown with exaggerated corkscrew rotation); Lead corkscrew hook (a hooking punch with a twist, screwing the knuckles into …); Kid McCoy special (the historical version credited to Kid McCoy, which combi…).
How effective is the Corkscrew Punch in competition?
Kid McCoy (welterweight/middleweight champion, late 1800s) used the corkscrew as his signature punch, producing cuts and knockouts against heavier opponents. The rotational punching principle is used (consciously or unconsciously) by modern fighters including Manny Pacquiao and Gennady Golovkin, both noted for producing facial damage with their punches.
What are common mistakes when doing the Corkscrew Punch?
Top errors to watch for: Rotating too early — if the fist completes its rotation before it reaches the target, the angular momentum is already… / Over-rotating — rotating the fist past the palm-down position (continuing toward palm-up) hyper-pronates the forearm … / Weak wrist — the additional rotational torque of the corkscrew stresses the wrist more than a standard punch; a loose… / Using the corkscrew against soft targets — the cutting effect requires tight skin over bone; corkscrewing into the op….
What are other names for the Corkscrew Punch?
The Corkscrew Punch is also known as Kōkusukuryū Panchi, Twisting Punch, Rotating Fist Punch, Screw Punch, Drilling Punch.