The Hook Debate: Palm in or Palm down? (17 threads mashed together, have fun)

  • Thread starter Thread starter PhilCollins
  • Start date Start date
reaching hook- palms facing me

inside short hook- knuckle up

but not necessarily all the time. but this is how i train.
 
Hello everybody,

I just started MT about 3 weeks ago. I took Shorinryu karate when I was growing up for about 8 years and competed in AAU point sparring tournaments and did quite well. Now at 27 and my career having me stay in the office and traveling down, I am able to train and practice the martial arts again, and I chose to learn MT.

My instructor is working with me to get out of that point karate mindset and transition into the MT approach and techniques. My biggest struggle is with the hook. Why does it feel so uncomfortable to me? I have np with jabs, crosses, overhands and even my elbows.

My instructor said there are two ways to throw a hook. One way with thumb up and other way with thumb on the side. Is this just a preferance thing? The way I am thinking is that the thumb on the side hook has more power. But on other note, I see mostly with thumb up position.

I apologize for wall of text, I want to get my information down and find my hook so I can get my rhythm down etc.
 
It's mainly just preference, i use both depending on the situation and what feels more comfortable. If it feels weird then there is probably a problem with your technique and when you are shifting your body weight. Go to this youtube channel and click on the playlist on the right "Throwing the Perfect Left Hook", its a 4 part series breaking down the technique, basically a 30 minute lesson on everything you need to know to throw a good hook.
 
Thank you very much Dtravis for the information. I also thought about doing a jab, cross, hook combo and really turning my hips after the cross so I can work on rotating/driving with the hook, pivoting off my front foot. So regarding the thumb positioning, I see that it is totally situational and depending on your angle/distance from bag or opponent's guard.

I will for sure look up that video. Thanks again!
 
you almost NEVER see a hook (right or left) with the palm down, thumb towards you.
Although many boxing coaches and even text books might show that, it just doesnt happen in a live fight.

with the palm facing down hook, your wrist is compromised, hence either leading to a less than stellar hit, or a damaged wrist. have the palm facing you... not completely, but slightly angled, and you'll notice u can hit much harder, and cleaner.

give it a test run on the heavy bag, you'll see what i mean.
 
Samael said:
WTF? People wipe their asses standing up? How would you even do that? My asscheeks would clench on the stuff I wanted to wipe.
Click to expand...

You know, that's exactly what I was thinking! Maybe people who do it standing up have small asses.
 
Ha I swear this topic comes up all the time... many threads on it, and I have yet to hear someone say go for the 45degree angle approach. Why does your palm have to be facing the floor OR your body, when it can half do each? This is generally what my hooks look like, but I'm known for doing things "half-a$$ed"... :)
 
It's just preference. I wouldn't really say either is flat out wrong. But as others have said, I also prefer the thumb up method. It overall is just a more powerful punch, IMO.
 
I always thought of it like this. When you throw a hook with your fist horizontal, its more likely to be blocked by a vertical line(opponents forearm.) However, with your fist vertical, its easier to slip your vertical fist through their vertical guard. In other words, theres more space for you to connect with a vertical fist.


Also, I feel like it would be easier to connect with your weaker knuckles throwing horizontally.
 
At range, like a jab-hook combo I'll go thumb up.
If its in tight I'll keep the thumb towards me. Easier to dirty box and slip an elbow if you're in close and throw the hook with the thumb towards you!:icon_twis
 
I have a tendency to let my hand drop to my waist then throw it.
 
Yes yes, but what about butt whiping? These are pressing matter, gentlement.
 
Thumb up feels better and tighter for me, makes it into more of a hook than just like a straight punch.
 
Thumb up makes far more instinctive mechanical sense to me. The palm down hook only feels good for me when thrown very very shortly and in and arch, like in a clinch/near-clinch position. Further away I really don't like what it does to my wrist. I see plenty of people throwing all their hooks like that though and I'm certainly no authority on punching.
 
mrpopenfresh said:
My old roomate had the weirdest way to wipe his ass. He took a single square of toilet paper, rolled it aorund his index and pretty much scraped the inside of his ass. He was pretty proud to be able to do it with one damm square. I didn't know what to say.

My other friend goes from bck to front, witrh his hands between his legs. That one is just straight up weird.
Click to expand...



You've spent far far far too much time discussing this with your friends buddy :D


Samael said:
WTF? People wipe their asses standing up? How would you even do that? My asscheeks would clench on the stuff I wanted to wipe.
Click to expand...


I'm totally with you. I've never heard of people standing up before. I'm going to file it in the "alternative" pile with Asian people squatting on top of the toilet seat etc.
 
Have you ever lived with guys? It degenerates to poop jokes and burp contest really quickly, regardless of how classy you are (and I'm super classy).
 
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