Fist Configuration in a Hook Punch?

[MikeMartial]

The question at hand: Should your fist be horizontal (palm down) or vertical (palm sideways) when executing a hook punch?

The reason I ask is that in my TKD class, we have always been taught horizontal(Yes, we throw hook punches in TKD. At least, in our style); this seems natural to me, but I have no other formal training.

Recently, in my Muay Thai class, the instructor corrected me to a vertical fist when doing a hook (palm would be facing my face at the end of the technique). This, to me, seems to restrict range of motion, and lacks power. But, then again, I'm not the expert.

Opinions, please.

 

[Spanky11]

in Kyokushin and kickboxing the palm is always facing you when doing a hook punch - more power is twist through body mechanics are possible this way.

 

[Djimbe]

Mine Faces me when I do it .

 

[novamanms]

Some will disagree, but I consider these two different types of hooks. The one with the palm sideways is a snapping sort of hook. Less power, more speed. The palm-sown hook is your power shot.

Arc it a tad more, and you have the cross. Arc it in the other direction, and you have the shovel hook.

 

[MikeMartial]

Interesting replies, guys.

From what I've gathered, both seem to be "correct", just variations of the same. A former boxer I talked to stated he had only ever learned of the horizontal fist (palm down) style of hook.

On a personal note, I found the vertical fist aggravating to my wrists; I wasn't wearing wraps when we were doing pad work, so I might have been flexing or extending my wrist as I hit.

 

[LapRocket]

I have always done a palm down type of hook until recently. In Krav Maga we do the palm facing inward. I personally feel like I have more power and less wrist stress with the palm facing down.

 

[Kane Fan]

I go thumb up, palm towards face

 

[B0ARDIN087]

Interesting replies, guys.

From what I've gathered, both seem to be "correct", just variations of the same. A former boxer I talked to stated he had only ever learned of the horizontal fist (palm down) style of hook.

On a personal note, I found the vertical fist aggravating to my wrists; I wasn't wearing wraps when we were doing pad work, so I might have been flexing or extending my wrist as I hit.

wear wraps before ur stuck taking a 2 week break becuz u sprained ur wrist

 

[Djimbe]

no , go Softer for a while and build up your Wrists . Wraps are a Crutch , and lead to Weakness in a Fight . Build up your Wrists - Fist Pushups , Wallbag , go get the Biggest Cat Iron Pan you can Find (15-18 inches) and do Wrist Work with it , Sledge Hammer wrisst work , anything ...

 

[Gymgurl]

I go thumb up, palm towards face

Same here......

 

[novamanms]

The main difference between the palm-down and palm-sideways hook is the shifting of body/hips to accumulate power, the way the blow feels through the arm and elbow, and the utilization of the knuckles of the index and middle finger into the target.

The palm-sideways hook doesn't utilize the small surface area of the knuckles as much, and often requires better timing due to the need of the person to reposition and cock their hips in a manner to make it a power shot. A hook can be a setup or power shot on its own, but normally it is most powerful for a counter-punch.

The palm down hook can be thrown for more power in close quarters, and is more likely to cause a knockout due to the use of the sharp knuckles on the 1st and 2nd finger. It's a lot more like a cross, except that it isn't corkscrewing as much over the defense of the opponent. It and the shovel hook (half-hook, half-uppercut) are the best body shots, in my opinion. They are more natural to the mechanics of a person than a plain uppercut...to me, at least.

 

[PyRoTeK]

I have multiple ways I throw a punch (hook) pending on the angle I'm throwing from and to. I would simply advise doing what feels most natural. If you are at an advantage over one way use that, rather it be strength, speed, or you are simply using it to distract. If you will notice that you can twist your palms obviously, so it makes sense that one could infact do neither palms down or facing you, facing outword or any of the above but between any of the NorthStar points.

 

[Kane Fan]

Same here......

so basically, I hit like a girl : o )
I heard Teddy Atlas say that he thinks the palm down hook is the way to do it
*shrug*

 

[Demonix]

I do palm down for head shot hooks, and palm facing me for body strike hooks.

After doing years of bag work and striking this is the way it feels most comfortable for me and I feel I get the most power from.