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

[thetruth2709]

my muay thai instructor told us that in a 'street fight' where you are not going to be wrapped you should throw a hook with the palm facing YOU so your wrist is protected, so I guess when you ARE wrapped your palm should face the floor since you CAN turn your wrist a bit.

 

[JesySpringield]

palms facing the ground is perfect tec for a hook.........but...........it exposes your second form the top nuckle too all of the impack, and if you miss but just catch, all of you little finger too a boxers fracture! in a boxing match do some tec but in a street fight it is a efficent punch but be aware...................then you will be fine...........all of the nuckles

 

[IanMoone]

what are the pros and cons of the palm facing you vs palm down ?

as far as i know, you get more stability and more power with the palm facing you. its more natural to through tighter hooks with the palm facing down. it seems to me having the palm facing down becomes a poor option if you already throw good hooks, but it could be a good way to learn to throw hooks tight.

 

[MindSlave]

what are the pros and cons of the palm facing you vs palm down ?

as far as i know, you get more stability and more power with the palm facing you. its more natural to through tighter hooks with the palm facing down. it seems to me having the palm facing down becomes a poor option if you already throw good hooks, but it could be a good way to learn to throw hooks tight.

Both should honestly have around the same power, but by having your palm facing down I agree that your not fully stabilizing your forearm and wrist, which could result in injury. Not a huge difference either way, but I support palm facing chest.

 

[Flexwave2003]

Could someone with boxing experience, tell me whether or not keeping your shoulders up when you punch is a bad idea? I was always under the impression you keep your hands up, chin down, shoulders raised. I was informed today by a karate instructor this was bad form, and would lead to throwing your shoulders out.

 

[MindSlave]

Could someone with boxing experience, tell me whether or not keeping your shoulders up when you punch is a bad idea? I was always under the impression you keep your hands up, chin down, shoulders raised. I was informed today by a karate instructor this was bad form, and would lead to throwing your shoulders out.

I would recommend having your shoulders raised and near if not on your jaw when throwing punches for the most part. I don't see how you'll throw your shoulders out if you're practicing good form and not bringing your punches too far back.

 

[Flexwave2003]

Thanks Mindslave,
There are numerous styles of boxing, just like in Karate. There are different philosophys for sure.....but when I was shown the basics of boxing (by a pro with a 28-8-4 record) he told me to keep my shoulders up. So as I was instructing the class today, the instructor called me out and told me I was teaching it all wrong. I am always interested in learning correct technique, but I was just curious if I was ass wrong about this or what. Im sure there are different philosophys on it.....

 

[MindSlave]

Thanks Mindslave,
There are numerous styles of boxing, just like in Karate. There are different philosophys for sure.....but when I was shown the basics of boxing (by a pro with a 28-8-4 record) he told me to keep my shoulders up. So as I was instructing the class today, the instructor called me out and told me I was teaching it all wrong. I am always interested in learning correct technique, but I was just curious if I was ass wrong about this or what. Im sure there are different philosophys on it.....

Yeh, it's like what I was saying with palm down vs palm facing yourself. Every coach has things they like and don't like. Try out both while sparring and figure out with is more comfortable and offers better performance. I personally like having my shoulders up to give my jaw as much protection as possible because I don't want my opponent to connect clean and knock me tfo.

 

[Marvin Covar]

i was taught to have my palm facing down when hooking high and facing me when doing body shots. you can do either, if you ask me.

 

[veenutz]

i was taught to have my palm facing down when hooking high and facing me when doing body shots. you can do either, if you ask me.

I'm taught the same way by the boxing coach at my gym

 

[Flexwave2003]

So is everyone for the most part agreeing it is acceptable to keep your shoulders up? Nobodys posted yet to tell me I am wrong, and Im just curious of what the general concensus is about the shoulder thing. If im wrong, Im wrong....thats fine...was just curious if I was ass wrong about the shoulder thing as the instructor was telling me or if one school of thought was being completely dismissed as wrong by someone who was shown differently.

 

[veenutz]

So is everyone for the most part agreeing it is acceptable to keep your shoulders up? Nobodys posted yet to tell me I am wrong, and Im just curious of what the general concensus is about the shoulder thing. If im wrong, Im wrong....thats fine...was just curious if I was ass wrong about the shoulder thing as the instructor was telling me or if one school of thought was being completely dismissed as wrong by someone who was shown differently.

I keep my shoulders and hands up and haven't been told not to do so by our boxing coach. so i guess shoulders up is correct.

 

[Bigg_H]

I keep my shoulders up and my jaw/chin tucked in. I don't know why anyone would want to keep their shoulders down?? Do you? How would it throw the shoulders out? I don't get it?? I have never had a problem with my shoulders (knock on wood) from keeping them up.

I want to keep my shoulders up, especially on a left hook. If I miss, the whole side of my face is sitting there like some KFC chicken ready to be devoured... lol.

I throw my hooks with my palm facing my body. Was taught to throw inside hooks palm facing floor, outside hook with palm facing the body. But I throw them all palm facing body.

 

[Bigsaltyballs]

In MMA/Self Defense, palm in is generally taught because it is less susceptible to counters (Hammerlock, etc.)

In boxing palm down allows you to turn your hook over very quickly.

It's a style thing.

I've never heard of anyone intentionally keeping their shoulders down, that sounds like a holdover from TMA. What was the explanation for that?

 

[Flexwave2003]

The explanation was, the instructor was "previously shown how to box wrong" and had to have shoulder surgery. So the explanation to me was with my shoulders up, and jab extended......the instructor was able to move jab up or down and apparently this was proof of the flawed technique. Upon showing me how it was suppost to be done, the instructor wasnt able to budge my extended jab....yes by extended I mean I was made to leave it out there just hanging out instead of what I would normally do which is throw the jab very fast and bring it back as soon as contact was made or it was a failed attempt.

Im not exactly a stranger on how to strike, and honestly speaking I dont think the technique I was using is wrong. However, I dont think the instructor was necassarily wrong with their interpretation of how a jab is suppost to be thrown....I think the main problem is different philosophys of boxing styles.

 

[SnowBlynd]

You have to keep the palm facing toward you with the hooks. If it is an MMA match or street fight you could break your hand if you don't.

 

[blackandblue]

My boxing trainer tells me to throw hooks with palm down so you don't break your wrist...so that's what I do

 

[Tom Hishon]

I think you punch harder with your thumb out and your palm facing you. See Chuck Liddell.

 

[Camintoi]

Ok I konw there are 2 ways to make a fist when hooking, to the side, or straight up and down. I like both, usually i go straight up and down when i hit hte body but sometimes i use it for the head etc. However when i practice sparring and heavy bag i jam my thumb alot, is the proper way to hold the fist with the thumb on top of the fist b/c i usualyl hold it under the knuckles so it takes alot of force... help.

 

[BabyRj**]

I always hit thumb up, i feel like im gonna hurt my knuckles doing it the other way, not to mention it feels like lost power.