A soft blow to the solar plexus can knock the wind out of someone. The philtrum is the dent directly below your nose. Punches are too high. Middle punches are at shoulder level instead of solar plexus. Rising punches are at forehead level instead of philtrum.
Palm faces up.
Thumb is wrapped around fist. Fist is held against rib cage. Elbow is directly back, not winging out to the side. Shoulder down, not tense. This is a basic punch.