Air impact animation for a punch

[jahasaja]

Hi all!

Long time no see. I am slowly working on the next game.

I am trying to make an "air impact animation" (do not know the right word for it) for a punch. However, I have zero experience so I am not really sure how to make it look powerful and cool.

I have not found any good references. Looked a bit at Street fighter 3.


So here is what i got so far:
1:

EDIT:
Made 2 more versions=
2:
3:

So far I like number 2 the most. 

Thankful for any help!

[Curly]

The third one lacks impact. It feels like a tap.
The shape in the first ones looks dull. Try making the "star" frames pointier and symmetrical and the other ones rounder, like in the 3rd animation.
I don't think you need so many frames. You can delete the last 2 frames in the second animation.

[jahasaja]

Thanks for the feedback. Here is a new one that is a little bit like you said with rounded edges.