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

[sethk]

Don't know this guy...but anyhow this is how your fist should be when you throw a hook

 

[Snubnoze707]

Everyone makes a case for both ways. Try and find what works for you. You will know if you are doing it wrong because your wrist will fucking hurt.

Typically, if I'm at normal hook range, and on the inside, I have my fist horizontal and turned over slightly. If I'm leaping in from outside with a hook, which is something I don't typically do, I'll have my fist verticle.

 

[Payak]

i do exactly the opposite to that picture.
my left hook is my money punch,i could not get power punching like that but im speaking for myself only.

 

[fightingrabbit]

i've only begun to start to learn how to turn over my hooks. and actually get some power and torque in it. its learning a whole different punch IMO.

up until now i've been throwing and landing that same as the picture seen above. no loss of power there though lols.

 

[Ivaylo Ivanov]

I usually throw long hooks and the position of the fist at the time of the impact is like in over hook. By now I was using lots of uppercuts and clinching in mid range so decided to work on vertical fist hooks. Im happy with the power but still have the weird feeling...

 

[Ivaylo Ivanov]

stand with your arms relaxed at your sides and make a fist.

Now bend your elbow 90* so your fist is pointing forward.

Now raise your arm horizontally until your elbow is parallel with your shoulders.

After I did that, my fists are horizontal
But thats due to inside shoulder rotation from the weightlifting. In every person is different...

 

[ChachiKiller]

For some reason I have done palms down to the head and palms up to the body. I think I learned that way but I have always done it.

 

[admbaum]

I throw mine just like the picture. I used to do the opposite but as I learned how my body moves, this is how I draw the most power. But everyone is different. Go with what feels right.

 

[DrBdan]

I've been told to do it both ways and been told reasons why and why not to do it both ways. I think it comes down to what you prefer.

 

[ssullivan80]

A good powerfull left hook should start with the palm vertical, arm bent at 90degrees, and the turn should be done with the legs, hips, and shoulders. As the fist comes through the point of impact the shoulder rolls up to cover your chin and the palm turns over through impact to horizontal (turning the palm over rolls the shoulder up to your chin).

(an overhand left or right the palm is more horizontal)

Throwing a left hook starting with the palm facing :icon_arro(horizontal) requires you to flare out your elbow from your body. Not only does it telegraph the hook, it leaves your ribs wide open. Not that it cant be effective, but it is more of a slapping or looping hook than short and tight. Thrown as a lead hook backing up or circling away it can be effective. But it is still primarily an arm punch.

Throwing the left hook palm facing V (vertical) allows you to throw a shorter hook in close without telegraphing the punch and puts more of your body weight (hips and shoulders) into the hook. It can be thrown at a longer range the same way, by just extending the arm out past 90 degrees. It also does not telegraph the hook. Done properly all you have to do is drop your jab hand slightly as your loading up the left (heavy on left leg), and let your hips and shoulders carry the punch through.

(somewhere in this video Freddie demonstrates a left hook on the speed bag, great way to practice the left hook)
YouTube - Speedbag - boxing training tips

 

[Payak]

thats how its done ssullivan80,freddie roach cant be wrong.

 

[ssullivan80]

thats how its done ssullivan80,freddie roach cant be wrong.

Not saying is the only way! It can be done many different ways. My OPINION is that this is the most effective way to learn the punch and my reason why I believe so. As for Freddie, I just thought it was a good explanation, not that he is always right (Arlovski). But, I think he is pretty qualified to give advice on punching.......?

I have seen many guys get KO'd by punches that are not "technically" correct. If the end result is the other guy gets KO'd..... who fuckin cares if you threw a "incorrect" punch. But someone who fights or has the ring experience (you do) learns what works best for them, a new striker (lot's of the guys on these forums) do not have that to rely on, so proper technique is probably a good idea?

 

[Steakeater**]

Palm facing down, but 70% of the time in sparring, ends up with palm facing to the side

 

[Higus]

I had trouble keeping my elbow and forearm parallel to the ground when my fist was vertical. I would also hit the bags with the wrong knuckles. I switched to vertical fist and the problem was solved.
It comes down to preference. In either case, it's going to hurt the other guy as long as you do it right.

 

[ssullivan80]

im not trying to say the punch remains vertical the whole time. Just from beginning until impact, through impact the punch turns over facing the palm horizontal. See pics, maybe that helps. De la Hoya, Tyson, and Frasier all could be argued as having the best left hooks. (Floyd, Malignaggi, Holyfield, were pretty damn good as well.)

At Impact:

Through impact to follow through:

[

 

[ssullivan80]

whole thing:

 

[Snubnoze707]

As far as hooks to the body go, you definitely don't want your fist horizontal palm down. I throw mine almost in the position as an uppercut, AKA shovel hook. Snappin my hips into it. Seems to have the most power and you can really drive your fist in deep that way...

 

[Snubnoze707]

Now that you bring that up, I do start the punch with my fist verticle and turn it over right at impact. Maybe I will toy around with the timing on when I turn it over. Might be able to get more power...

 

[erznana**]

Left hook I punch vertical (thumb up top). Overhand right and right hooks my fist is horizontal. I think its just a matter of preference and what you feel comfortable with. I've been taught to do it differently by different people.

 

[lilmmafan]

Not saying is the only way! It can be done many different ways. My OPINION is that this is the most effective way to learn the punch and my reason why I believe so. As for Freddie, I just thought it was a good explanation, not that he is always right (Arlovski). But, I think he is pretty qualified to give advice on punching.......?

I have seen many guys get KO'd by punches that are not "technically" correct. If the end result is the other guy gets KO'd..... who fuckin cares if you threw a "incorrect" punch. But someone who fights or has the ring experience (you do) learns what works best for them, a new striker (lot's of the guys on these forums) do not have that to rely on, so proper technique is probably a good idea?

I agree with everything you said except the "Arlovski" part...lol...I don't think Freddie taught him the flying knee so you can't blame him for that.