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

  • Thread starter Thread starter PhilCollins
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thumbs up hook makes for a shorter punch though, and i find it easier to throw tumbs down.
 
Zisteau said:
Can someone sticky one of these threads? I swear they come up once a week on clockwork.



That exchange had nothing to do with who had their palms up or down. It had to do with accuracy. One hit on the jaw, the other deflected off the side of the neck.
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And Carlos seemed to have his arm closer to his body. His hook was tighter, thus more effective.


Also, for the record I'm not opposed to using either. I throw thumb up usually, but thumb on the inside is effective too. I feel like I can land with my knuckles more if I go thumb up, but if they're more exposed or I have a good angle, I don't mind going thumb inside.
 
For me it's largely preference, and depending where the target is.

If I am throwing a longer hook, I prefer the palm down. I just seem to be able to reach the target better without being tight.

Shorter hook, especially hooks to the body are always thumb up. I just feel like I can twist easier.
 
When i started to train i used to do palm down until i went to boxing gym and they told me to do palm to face, i think its easier after you get used to it
 
When I 1st took up boxing in my teens my original coach who was black, taught me the thumbs up hook. A few months later I moved up in class and was moved on to a more "advanced" trainer who was a former pro. He was Mexican (trained all his career in Mexico). He was trying to totally rework my hook that I was accustomed to throwing with my thumbs up. He was all about turning your fist over on every punch. Sorta the screw driver method i guess. He kept trying to convert me to ending my hooks palms down. Never felt comfortable with the technique... Shortly after I stopped training with the guy because his style just didn't feel right for me. Not sure if it's more of a cultural thing with style difference. Thumbs up on hooks just feels so natural and "pocket" for me. At the end of the day it's all about what works best for you. Screw driver technique is great with straight shots but not on my hooks.
 
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Thumb up also protects the weaker knuckles when not wearing gloves.
 
ssullivan80 said:
agreed.... had Hardy not pulled back, it would have been a different scenario most likely.... That said, had he not turned that hand over he would of got knuckles on the chin and likely would of done more damage. Why it is so important to throw a shot to where your opponent is going, not where he is at.... that was the difference, Hardy threw his hook behind the right Condit came under, and Hardy started to throw it short, then had to reach as Condit pulled back, hence the hand turned over (threw it where he was at, had to adjust mid hook), Condit threw his in anticipation of Hardy's hook by coming forward under his right and throwing it shorter pulling back.... Hardy moved right into that hook (Condit threw it where he was going).

Watch the other Gif that Connoisseur posted of Hardy catching Farber, that was the same hook he was trying to hit Condit with, almost identical situation..... Difference was, Farber dropped down farther and didnt pull back as far. Condit didnt drop as far down and sort of slip/ducked the shot...... then came up and narrowed his hips and pulled back into the hook........ Hardy was looking for the same shot both instances, look closely. Difference was Condit anticipated it and pulled out farther into his left hook, got inside Hardy's, who threw it anticipating to land it shorter, then had to reach for it.... why the palm turned down.

SO LESSON TO BE LEARNED, A SHORT 1-2 IS MUCH EASIER TO RECOVER AND COUNTER FROM THAN A LOOPING OVERHAND. CONDIT AND FARBER GIF'S BELOW ARE A PERFECT EXAMPLE........... SAME RIGHT HAND MISS, SAME HARDY COUNTERS, DIFFERENT RESULTS!
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This also shows how important it is to pick the right technique and commit 100% to it. You can pick the best technique for every situation but if you don't commit to it fully then it won't come on time.
 
I noticed some hook with palm towards you while others have their fist sideways with the palm down. Besides preference, what are the advantages/disadv for each hook position? Do certain boxing/MT styles favor one hook over another?
 
good question lol. I like to hook with my palm facing me/outwards a majority of the time so i have less of a chance hitting with my two ouside knuckles, but if im close nd on the inside i'll hook with my palm facing the ground. also depends if im weas 12 ounce gloves or 4 ounce mma gloves.
 
depends what effect your looking for pretty much if you hook with your fist sideways you get more of a slap punch effect whch arent straight up as powerfull but eventually do just as good damage if you land a few good ones, the normal hooking way you have a higher risk of hurting your knuckles but if you connect good you ll do way more damage
 
What are the thoughts on the hybrid?

ie knuckles at 45 degress.
 
HIMBOB said:
What are the thoughts on the hybrid?

ie knuckles at 45 degress.
Click to expand...

You'll be failing at doing a thumb facing hook then.

Swear this topic gets asked every other week. People, use the search function.
Saying that, there's no right or wrong. Thumb facing or up is both acceptable and provide different mechanics behind the punch. Thumb facing normally provides a more compact hook in my experiences.
 
Yeah, I used to throw only palm down as it feels more natural and powerful. I have added a palm-in hook that feels ok from distance, a little faster and less powerful.
 
Short distance and clinch = palm facing
Long distance = palm down

since someone posted above the exact opposite... use your feeling
 
Exactly: see how it feels but work with it for a while and get used to the different body positioning required. For me the palm down hook requires very little arm movement except for rotation, it's mostly body torque. The palm in hook seems to me to be more arm extension.
 
in our gym, we do it palm facing down...more bang for your buck as compared to palm sideways
 
I do palm towards me....let's me get the clinch if the hook doesn't work.
 
I throw it with my palm towards me. My coach said that the only reason boxers turn their gloves are for contact points.
 
I've been throwing it palm facing though my coach says it doesn't really matter. He said he favors palm facing because he thinks it lines your wrist up more naturally and lessens the chance of injury. I dunno but I am going to try and mix ways of throwing it
 
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