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

[Goshinjitsu]

from my experiences ive always messed up my hands from throwing hooks with palm facing down. i always end up clipping the pinky knuckle which broke my hand once.

Same here. Palm facing me has corrected this problem. I think it's really a matter of preference though I know some coaches will always try to rectify your technique to conform to their understanding of whatever art they are teaching.

 

[Rudy Richter]

Palm facing me for body punche's, Palm facing the floor when aiming for face/Jaw.
.

I agree with that 100%. I think many people think they get more power with palm facing inward becuase they still lack the whip effect execution a little. I was the same way. Of course then not everyone is built the same either.

 

[danny_171]

I throw them with my palm facing the floor, but one problem I've noticed is that my shoulder gets very sore when I do this. Sometimes it even cracks, but I get way more power this way than throwing them with my palm facing me.

 

[OpethDrums]

first set up your feet correctly (rear toe on the ground), then pivot / shoulder pop, palm down

BOOM. WHAT!

 

[OpethDrums]

^ left hook

 

[AstrelONE]

i only throw the hook with palm facing downards when in close. try it on a heavybag, i think that you'll find that it actually feels more natural since a hook at that close range would only require you to fold your arm. throwing rangy hooks in that fashion will definitely mess up your wrist, so in that case, stay keep the palm facing you.

 

[Rudy Richter]

I throw them with my palm facing the floor, but one problem I've noticed is that my shoulder gets very sore when I do this. Sometimes it even cracks, but I get way more power this way than throwing them with my palm facing me.

Agreed 100%...also I dig your quote.

 

[Michael Wanaka]

At medium to close distance, palm facing down (for head punches). For longer distance and body shots, palm facing me.

 

[jamison]

At medium to close distance, palm facing down (for head punches). For longer distance and body shots, palm facing me.

Exactly . Thats is wht they say. However, rarely do people throw hooks 2 different ways. Few guys that throw hooks with great powere with the palm facing them instead of down, Oscar De La Hoya, Tito Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, M A Barrera, Gatti, the list goes forever.

 

[OpethDrums]

at long range you arent really supposed to throw hooks tho and that will mess your wrists up on a bag if you hit hard. hooks should be tight and should shift your weight back so you can follow up with another punch.

 

[J C P]

i only throw the hook with palm facing downards when in close. try it on a heavybag, i think that you'll find that it actually feels more natural since a hook at that close range would only require you to fold your arm. throwing rangy hooks in that fashion will definitely mess up your wrist, so in that case, stay keep the palm facing you.

Ditto, all about distance for me too.

 

[Fersevis]

I don't know if this is me being on the fence, but I actually prefer to have a half and half approach to hooks. I usually have my palm angled towards myself, which in my mind, fits like a key in the temple. I guess if I had to choose I'd say they usually end up more towards myself.

 

[Jaxx]

Whatever work for you is the right way, i know guys that like to throw hooks with the palm almost facing away from them.

 

[jamison]

Whatever work for you is the right way, i know guys that like to throw hooks with the palm almost facing away from them.

It's called Special Olympic's Boxing

 

[Daytrip]

That reminds me, I remember seeing a kung-fu movie or two where they threw their straights with their palm facing sideways...was their any reason for this speed/power wise?

 

[Jaxx]

It's called Special Olympic's Boxing

Yeah, saw you got the bronze last time.:icon_chee

 

[danny_171]

Agreed 100%...also I dig your quote.

Thanks, glad to see I'm getting some props from the veterans.

 

[AxeGrinder]

haha, its funny, left hook palm facing me, right hook palm facing downward...

 

[Vovchanchyn Fan]

I prefer how I was taught, which was to follow what happens naturally/anatomically (ideally in order to maximize power transfer).

Try this:

Hang your hand at your side, then bring your hand up so your arm is bent at 90 degrees, keeping your elbow fixed at your side...and make a fist.

Look at your fist - your fist should be thumb up, pinky down in relation to the floor.

Now begin slowly raising your elbow out and up until your upper arm is level with your shoulder, and observe what happens to your fist. As your elbow goes up, your fist steadily turns until when your elbow is even with your shoulder, your palm is now facing straight down.

Thats more or less telling you what is the correct form to throw your hooks anatomically and with max power.

Basically, the angle of your fist changes depending on whether you are throwing to the body or the head in order to maximize power.

If you are throwing more as a deceptive hook (i.e. where you need distance and not power) then you can get more range by turning the fist /palm in/ to the head...but its a sloppier hook with less power since you will extending it beyond its ideal range (you are extending the elbow past 90 degrees, and relying more on your bicep for stabilization/power transfer instead of bone/ligament).

Thus, I only throw a hook like that to setup something else, i.e. a low kick to the leg.

 

[Rudy Richter]

I prefer how I was taught, which was to follow what happens naturally/anatomically (ideally in order to maximize power transfer).

Try this:

Hang your hand at your side, then bring your hand up so your arm is bent at 90 degrees, keeping your elbow fixed at your side...and make a fist.

Look at your fist - your fist should be thumb up, pinky down in relation to the floor.

Now begin slowly raising your elbow out and up until your upper arm is level with your shoulder, and observe what happens to your fist. As your elbow goes up, your fist steadily turns until when your elbow is even with your shoulder, your palm is now facing straight down.

Thats more or less telling you what is the correct form to throw your hooks anatomically and with max power.

Basically, the angle of your fist changes depending on whether you are throwing to the body or the head in order to maximize power.

If you are throwing more as a deceptive hook (i.e. where you need distance and not power) then you can get more range by turning the fist /palm in/ to the head...but its a sloppier hook with less power since you will extending it beyond its ideal range (you are extending the elbow past 90 degrees, and relying more on your bicep for stabilization/power transfer instead of bone/ligament).

Thus, I only throw a hook like that to setup something else, i.e. a low kick to the leg.[/QUOTE]


End thread.... great post dude!