Boxing Training - The Wrong Way to Hook!

[@Xcrewo]

I've been watching your content for a long time now and never really thanked you. I could improve so much thanks to you. God bless, thanks for your effort

[@myboxingcoach]

I really appreciate that, thank you for continuing to watch, learn and comment.

[@harrymackenzie5403]

To show the non believers I hope!

[@kar8226]

@Panduh Army Because Jesus loves knockouts

[@alexraphael6534]

Turning the other cheek is really code for slipping a punch.

[@Xcrewo]

@Panduh Army For the glory of God of course

[@befmrc]

When he said it’s illegal He is talking only about “Amateur Boxing competitions” . Professional boxing it’s a totally different world . Most of you guys didn’t understand this .

[@tm5267]

Years ago... (not sure if they're still around) in UK there was a brand of Competition Glove called "Top Ten". The design wont be much different these days but bare with. If you look at ur tensed fist so your index finger and thumb are toward you, on those Gloves the white 'point scoring zone' on the blue or red glove would go from just half an inch to an inch past your knuckle toward your wrist and finish at the mid-point between your main knuckle and the first knuckle of your finger. With that in mind there used go be hell on sometimes due to referee and judges rulings over the 'slap' of a mid-range hook where-as a mid to long range uppercut was nigh-on exactly the same but rarely got called out. But, that's amateur boxing for you. Sound in the Pros' but... them's the brakes.

[@shenanigans1231]

I appreciate that you put your analysis in the proper context. There are specific methods of throwing punches that are better suited for competitive boxing even if they’re equal in self defense situations. Amateur boxers need to know the difference so they don’t lose points.

[@calisslatv5337]

First one min of video thats all everyone needs to know. Depends on distance and he is 110% correct.

[@sentientthundertank2079]

Man you're great, Its amazing how comprehensive these short videos are, I've learned more about hooks in this video than I did in 2 years of (casual) training.

[@suesonday8902]

Thanks again Coach! Another great video with totally clear explanations on both the HOW and the WHY Your explanation of why to throw the short range hook with elbow tucked in, is gold. You are an amazingly gifted coach. I was originally taught palm in, in another sport. But i think I’m going to put in the effort to unlearn that. So Yet again I have more to learn and work on, which is one of the main reasons I love this sport !

[@jouuueee]

I applied the concepts in your video tonight. I found that with a little bit more concentration and focus when I throw the hook, as you explained twisting the hand to drive the punch, I was able to hit the bag harder and it felt more decisive. It is definitely easier to hook with the palm facing me so it will take some practice to overcome the convenience and establish muscle memory but that is the joy of this sport for me. Your videos have help me immensely. I hope someday to spar in a ring but until then it's me and the bags and your videos. Thanks

[@MylotheMask]

As mentioned..I can't generate any power throwing a hook that way. Very few boxers I've seen (amateur or pro) throw a hook that way. I learned the science behind why punching that way is the correct way (transfer of power generated from the legs). That is also the way they teach the hook in a level 1 boxing coaching course. The problem is "slapping" which is hitting with the INSIDE OF THE KNUCKLE AREA. As long as your landing with the first half of the fist it's legal.

[@tonop4787]

I was trying to box for about 5 years. No sparring, very bad stance, incorrect techniques... After watching some of Fran's videos everything was clear to me: I had to start everything over. The proper stance, punching drills and techniques and then again and again and again. Thank you so much !

[@jamieniche]

How have you trained for 5 years and not sparred. Definitely one of the most important types of training.

[@tonop4787]

I sparred for 2 or 3 times every year (for fun) but I sucked hard (as expected). Now with Fran's help everything is better, but a long road is ahead of me. The most important thing I love about Fran's videos is the key information: what to do, how to do it, why to do it, when not to do it and what not to do. Short videos with simple explanations getting right to the point. Perfect.

[@skip741x3]

I was gonna say same as jamie in the comments..How the heck canyou box for 5 yrs and Not have sparred? You did say you were Trying to box, that make sense...sparring is Essential, without it, all boxing practice in the world, even if you did 20 yrs of it, would still not teach you the practical application that is learned thru sparring...It tests you, it shows you what works and what doesnt, it put you under pressure thats missing when training alone, and it brings the element of uncertainty and surprise into the mix that training alone will never do... best of luck brother

[@tonop4787]

@@skip741x3 I absolutely agree with you. Thanks.

[@folknblues1]

Some very good points made. Your short-range punch I'd call a shovel hook, I like your emphasis on body integrity, using body structure and mechanics to deliver power. Keeping your elbow in closer to your body makes sense. In my brief, inglorious time in a boxing gym in Spokane long ago, I was taught to throw a short hook palm down, and a week and a half from my first match got a rib cracked in sparring, so suspect you're right.

[@bobsmith1080]

With the palm in the shot is theoretically stronger because the bicep is engaged more. There is NOTHING wrong with palm in at all. All you have to do is actually watch a fight and see how the hooks are landed the vast majority of the time. Coaching videos are usually focused on best case scenario or just old information repeated over and over. It doesn't matter how loud you shout it or how often you repeat it, it isn't true that the palm has to be down! Even in the AIBA manual on advanced techniques it shows how to throw a palm in hook!!

[@kiwishbj1]

Go do what you want to do. Advice is free.

[@sadullokhojiboev3889]

Not only biceps,shoulder also

[@harleydavidson8380]

I’ve always wondered this. Throwing palms down puts a lot of stress and pain though my shoulder, I imagine it’s my rotator cuff. I’ve been throwing palms facing me for 8 years plus now and feels quicker and more powerful.

[@plan913]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO! I have gone back and forth on this due to conflicting advice. I agree completely with this...and it just feels more natural to me as well and generates much more power and control.

[@darkzealot07]

Hey Fran Sands, I"ve been following you for quite awhile actually and I am an amateur boxer myself looking to turn pro next year. with that being said.... my coach who is a professional boxer with over 25 fights has NEVER taught me to throw a left hook with the palm down simply because u can NOT generate as much power from that punch... and I've been using my left hook palm in thumb up for ALL my fights... doesn't matter if it's a short mid or long range left hook, and i've NEVER been warned. I've competed in golden gloves in california and i've used the "palm in thumbs up" left hook and has won me fights... so honestly i do NOT think there's a "wrong way" to throw a left hook as long as it lands clean and hits... also it might be different in PRO boxing... because I've never seen a pro get warned by throwing a left hook with thumbs up... never... i'll change my mind once u find me a video of a ref warning or taking points away because the left hook is thrown incorrectly.

[@PunchProfessor]

darkzealot07 * * * * * Well Said Brother Warrior ! I teach how to throw all punches more than one way... Sugar Ray Robinson threw hooks just as you described, especially when he hurt his man, and was going for the Kill! True Paul D' The Punch Professor

[@dottierdig9514]

Try throwing the left hook (without glove) palm in and on a taller opponent, the big gloves allow you punch with the smaller knuckles at awkward angles. Once the gloves comes off you will naturally revert back to punching with the body's natural skeletal alignment.

[@darkzealot07]

DottierDig 95 we’re talking about boxing not street fighting. So obviously you have to have gloves on, so “having gloves off” isn’t even a topic over here. Also I do get where you’re coming from but as long as the hit lands clean it’ll do damage and count as points. Floyd Mayweather throws the same exact left hook if you look up his videos “Floyd’s left hook” on KZbin

[@dottierdig9514]

@@darkzealot07 lol, fine then. I guess if you ever need to defend yourself in a street fight you will just break your hand like Mike Tyson.

[@seakermac]

He's talking about a warning for cuffing, right?

[@bibekbirsingh9433]

Alright, here's the deal. No matter what way you hook, ensure that your knuckles hit the target. Hooking with the palm facing you is more natural but remember to STRIKE WITH THE KNUCKLES. If you're striking with the knuckles, you won't hit with the inside of the glove at all, and it's clearly visible. Joey Hadley, one of Cus D'amato's students ( like Mike ) tells on his instructional video about the hook, he used to hook with the palm down before meeting Cus and Cus told him the proper way is with the palm facing you. You never saw Mike hook with the palm down. Always aim to hit with the knuckles. Jack Dempsey mentions in his book Championship Fighting about the power line ( if I remember correctly) that runs from the knuckles through your forearm. Try pushing up against someone's palm with the first two (index and middle) knuckle, then try with the trio of middle, ring and pinky knuckles with the ring knuckle at the middle. You'll find that with the latter you can push more firmly. I guess it's because beneath these three knuckles lies the most muscle of the forearm. When you hook (or cross or jab or uppercut), try hitting with the three knuckles. You may land with middle and ring or the ring and pinky or with all three. Just make sure to include the ring knuckle! Perhaps more power would be generated with striking using the pinky knuckle but that knuckle and it's bones are too fragile and will break. So aim with the ring one. This is suggested by Mr. Dempsey himself as he wrote it in his book. If you're throwing a long or looping hook, chances are the punch will not land on the knuckles. You gotta bend the wrist in that case. The longer the hook, the more you gotta bend the wrist. If you hook with the arm almost straight (like Joe Frazier's killer hook) , you gotta really bend that wrist. I don't know whether bending that much will injure the wrist or not. For a long ranged hook, palm down is comfy. Middle and short ranged hooks with the palm facing you... strike with the knuckles! You may hit with the part of the finger just above the knuckles.. that's still not hitting with the inside of the glove but it won't be as powerful as striking with the damn knuckles. Peace out.

[@filippetrovic8501]

I can produce way more power when hooking with my palm up, and prevents wrist pain.

[@damianbajic8971]

Da brt bolje je tako ali

[@filippetrovic8501]

@@damianbajic8971 tako su i Tyson i Roy Jones, Tommy Morrison.

[@damianbajic8971]

@@filippetrovic8501 da brt ali ako udaras npr ako fedor emelianenko taj neki dug krose , onda je bolja prst ka tebi .

[@filippetrovic8501]

Prsti vertikalno. Ako to mislis, slazem se. Dlan na dole je glupost

[@lewd0117]

I hook palm in close range, and long range I over rotate so the outside of the glove makes contact. This is to 1. Ovoid slapping and 2. More importantly protects the thumb. I have fractured both my thumbs from hooking palm down in the past, never again will I hook like that.

[@jeaglejj]

Nope disagree, palm down is big risk of injury whether on the wrist or the pinky and ring fingers, palm facing you is a much more natural movement.

[@BernardoWLopes]

Having your palm facing down or up does not change the position of the shoulder joint. That movement occus between the arm and the forearm, at the several joints that comprise the elbow. So your injury was not a direct result of that. If you want to give it a try, just put yourself in the hook position, elbow bent around 90º and your hooking limb parallel to the ground. Now just switch the position of your palm and you'l see the movement only occurs from the elbow down. Nothing in the shoulder

[@johnnycage5565]

yea so true, try hitting the heavy bag with palm facing down and see what happens to the wrist sooner or later

[@LordFarquaad35]

Johnny Cage I busted up my right wrist doing exactly just that recently. I’ve been doing martial arts for years and I normally throw my hooks facing palm up but recently I joined a kickboxing gym and the instructor said to throw the hook on the heavy bag with palm facing down and stupidly I listened to him and paid the price. Took almost 2 months to heal.

[@teamhazardous201]

I agree. Palm down allows the wrist to flex too much. When the palm faces you it lines with the forearm bone.

[@lilosnitch3247]

Isnt it weird???...i am the opposite.I injured myself from the american hook

[@Silentknight052]

No referee in USA is calling that

[@roypadayachy4696]

If retrospective action was applicable, how many PPV events would have been double DQs 😹😹😹😹😹 it makes sense though, it's a rabbit punch but not to the back of the head ... Theres also scientific ways to explain : aerodynamics, gravity etc. (But honestly I'm gonna do my thing, hopefully my hook is effective enough for the ref to start the count)

[@normandunnaganjr.5034]

@@roypadayachy4696 I throw mine palm facing me also. I have a lot of different lead left hand looping style punches that I like to throw. The leaping left hook puts the fist like Frans wants it by default if you throw it at full power though.

[@tm5267]

@@roypadayachy4696 Years ago... (not sure if they're still around) in UK there was a brand of Competition Glove called "Top Ten". The design wont be much different these days but bare with. If you look at ur tensed fist so your index finger and thumb are toward you, on those Gloves the white 'point scoring zone' on the blue or red glove would go from just half an inch to an inch past your knuckle toward your wrist and finish at the mid-point between your main knuckle and the first knuckle of your finger. With that in mind there used go be hell on sometimes due to referee and judges rulings over the 'slap' of a mid-range hook where-as a mid to long range uppercut was nigh-on exactly the same but rarely got called out. But, that's amateur boxing for you. Sound in the Pros' but... them's the brakes.

[@roypadayachy4696]

@@tm5267 i can appreciate that thank you ... Thing is this is boxing, if your opponent is dirty, adapt accordingly, everyone is going to bend/break the rules to get an advantage, fight them the way they fight you : the 'open' hook and the 'illegal' hook - both gonna hurt like hell, cover up, move - give it to your opponent the way they give it to you to let them know its going to be tough for them too - very honest and humbling sport : brings out the best and the worst in us 👊

[@The-Contractor]

So what?

[@markandrews6567]

As always Fran is correct for a amateur fighter throwing medium/long range hooks to the head. They should be palm down because only a percentage of your shots will land clean, so this technique is used to prevent cuffing or palming your opponent this is back to basics boxing obviously you can throw any shot you want but this position reduces fouls, but a medium range hook to the body different story completely fine to have thumbs up really digs in.

[@krisutvv]

Thanks man! Been doing it wrong here in Finland but now will try to fix it, thank you for clarifying the right style.

[@HittokiriBatosai]

Curved punches have always been my achilles heel since I started with taekwon-do. Thanks very much for this clear and informative video.

[@stefanilie3900]

Perfect 1000%

[@markusantonious8192]

Caveat: In the ring, perhaps palm down is okay,, but not so on the street. Palm down without boxing gloves risks injury to the two outer fingers; palm inward is much preferable...and, as far as I'm concerned, a much more natural movement.

[@myboxingcoach]

Fair point Markus, but I'm no street fighting expert so I best stick with boxing..wouldn't want to get someone bopped on the street :-)

[@dfpguitar]

Punching alltogether is a risky thing to do in the street, in fact it is best to walk away from danger and not to engage at all. But if you are; grappling and strikes with larger contact areas like forearm strikes, teeps, knees, low cut kicks or even slaps/palm strikes are all more reliable than trying to get your knuckles to contact with someones nose. If you hit the forehead or chin injuring your hand is likely regardless of how your hand is positioned, but its more likely you will miss altogether.

[@boltar2003]

If you want to win a street fight learn wrestling or some grappling martial art since grappling is how most (unarmed) street fights end up anyway. If you rely on kicks and punches then your first one has to be a knock out otherwise they'll have you on the ground and you're finished.

[@smashleyscott8272]

Fran Sands ... palm in/thumb up is better. By far. Less mechanics, quicker, more snap, less over rotation because of shoulder position. Watch highlights of Tommy Morrison... best left hook in the last 30 years. His palm was in.

[@smashleyscott8272]

dfpguitar ... I'm going to agree yet disagree. The best punch in the street is the one not seen. Therefore, the best punch is one with the least mechanics, the least resistance do to movement & space. Therefore: JAB.

[@maggiezhou7826]

The best boxing coach on KZbin

[@michadebicki6534]

Throwing left and right hook on the heavy bag with my thumb down - I just ended injuring my hand more than once. The stress on my index and middle finger was just to high. So I switched to throwing my hooks with a thumb facing me, not the floor and never again problem with injuries and hand pain occured.

[@PunchProfessor]

Michal Debicki ***** I can relate to what you said ! Try to work on a Punching Bag that is not concrete hard ! I find most bags today are too hard, and not healthy for punching upon ! True Paul D' The Punch Professor

[@smashleyscott8272]

Michał Dębicki ... no hook should have your thumb facing the floor. Thumb up with palm in is ideal, in spite of what this guy is teaching in this video. Watch highlights of Tyson & Tommy Morrison... they ALWAYS hooked with palm in/thumb up. Two of the best hooks in the last 30 years

[@michadebicki6534]

@@smashleyscott8272 well, remember that best hooker ever was indeed Joe Frazier ;) But yes, I made this technical mistake some years ago as a pure novice. Not anymore. Still I prefer jabbing and hunting for counter with my right cross. These two punches are my main weapon in the ring. My reach is not so wonderful - 185cm with 181 cm of heigh, but just enough with good footwork and ability to quickly step in and out of range.

[@smashleyscott8272]

Michał Dębicki ... I can probably agree with you about Frazier.... that being said, watch his highlights. He ALSO threw his hooks with his thumb up/palm in.

[@Quis92246]

That doesn't make sense.

[@daniel09dailey]

Excellent uploads again Fran!! I often teach clients the same about the chain of energy from floor to fist. And also the importance of the elbow behind the fist on any punch. I must confess I do teach the 'palm in' to avoid injury however it was very much in ignorance of refereeing systems, so thanks again.

[@nicocontreras5366]

Amazing, in Muay Thai a coach used to hate hooks with palm down but in close I noted the way you teach is better, with elbow down, like between and uppercut and a hook.

[@BlackyListon]

Always good gems with you Brotha!!! I'm still playing with the hand placement of the hook myself. Inside I go palm down, outside I turn the palm in. I don't use a longer hook because of that very reason. I floored a guy with palm in hook and got a warning, it's a mid to short range punch for me now. As always thank you for sharing!!💯💯

[@blaisehanon]

palm down is called a european hook,palm up an american hook. the pros use the american hook most of the times as it on avg generates more power. there are exeptions,luis ortiz the cuban HW uses the palm down hook and he's a beast with a phenomenal lead hook

[@theredninja2817]

b zanon Freddie Roach teaches how to throw a hook Palm down

[@bigyanko360]

@@theredninja2817 ....well pacman throws his hook with thumbs up

[@tm5267]

Years ago... (not sure if they're still around) in UK there was a brand of Competition Glove called "Top Ten". The design wont be much different these days but bare with. If you look at ur tensed fist so your index finger and thumb are toward you, on those Gloves the white 'point scoring zone' on the blue or red glove would go from just half an inch to an inch past your knuckle toward your wrist and finish at the mid-point between your main knuckle and the first knuckle of your finger. With that in mind there used go be hell on sometimes due to referee and judges rulings over the 'slap' of a mid-range hook where-as a mid to long range uppercut was nigh-on exactly the same but rarely got called out. But, that's amateur boxing for you. Sound in the Pros' but... them's the brakes.

[@edgryff]

Thanks for that Fran - I've had so much conflicting advice about throwing hooks over the years and this really ties it all together

[@adcyuumi]

Old video, but the comments section is lively so I'll say my piece. -- Fran Sands is the real deal; don't disagree with him unless you know your stuff. You'll look silly. He might be, I think he is anyway, the BEST boxing coach making videos online. Everything he teaches is 100% solid. -- That said, I'm of the opinion that the mid-range and long-range hook should turn over just before impact. You strike that target palm OUT, palm still facing slightly down. This engages your deltoid muscle for a bit of extra power, adding to the chain at an ideal time to do so. Engaging the deltoid also braces your arm, making it easier to punch "through" the target. Turning your hand over also better aligns your first metacarpal bone cleanly with the target --- you are less likely to clip the fingers of your glove on the target's shoulder, which would sap power from your shot, if you turn over the hand and strike palm out. Without gloves on (aka if you had to throw a hook to defend yourself), this might also protect you from hitting your fingers against the target's shoulder and injuring your hand. -- I will say that at the longest possible range, you can't turn over the hook this way. You can lose about an inch of reach, and if you want to tag someone with a hook you have to throw it palm down. That's fine if it's an overhand hook and you make 100% sure you aren't about to overreach, clip their shoulder with your fingers, or strike the hard part of their head rather than a good target (critical when you aren't wearing gloves). It is important to be mindful that the longest range hook is basically just a straight punch that you throw outside your opponent's guard instead of down the middle... in terms of how you will generate power and your body's position as you make contact, they are nearly identical punches. -- The one reason you might not want to hook punch palm out is to conserve energy. If all you want to do is land a punch to help win the round, you can just whip in that quick hook and not worry as much about power. Engaging muscles for power can be tiring. Save the palm out hook for when you want to knock someone's head off.

[@DonTHEhandsome1]

Freddy Roach says to punch which way feels more natural. I hurt my shoulders when I turn palm down. Shoulder impingement happens when you load the shoulders and rotate your shoulders that way. Thats why when body builders do shoulder raisers they do not "pour the pitcher" at the top of the rep.

[@TonyqTNT]

Good video. Instructor made me realize that wether you're striking with an extension straight trajectory punch or a hook punch the elbow, forearm and fist striking contact point need to be in a linear alignment trajectory in order to effect maximal potential force transference upon object mass!!!

[@camkret4113]

I've seen it described as "all circular attacks are linear at contact".

[@TonyqTNT]

@@camkret4113 Yeah, but what about the people in Thailand and Myanmar with the powerful circular round kicks?

[@camkret4113]

The big muay thai shin kicks are still linear at point of contact. journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0182645

[@nancysmith9487]

Manhattan physical therapy, great team work

[@matspencer3860]

Really good vids Fran, my grand father always said throw palm down at mid range because it raises the elbow and the shoulder subconsciously. A few hooks in front of a mirror show it.

[@lernerboxinghumanperforman5865]

You're a very good coach and great guy just missing a bit here. Any hook that is too circular or wide at long range will land inappropriately parallel to the radius and ulna. Therefore impacting at the lower knuckles/ palm (palm in) or thumb (palm down). Personally I'd rather accidentally hit my palm than sprain or break my thumb especially if using mma gloves. Moreover the priority here is angle of impact. As long as you are rotating your torso and extending your elbow slightly at impact for long-range hooks you are unlikely to injure your hand and will cause more damage with your follow-through.

[@camkret4113]

Wouldn't you hit your second knuckles not your palm ? I'm unsure how you could possible land with the palm when striking with a fist ? I use MMA gloves when I do my bag work and I use palm down meaning I'm striking with the first two knuckles even if I am using a longer range hook. But i try to avoid that - keep awareness of range and move rather than throw long circular punches because you end up losing the 90 degree angle in the elbow and no longer have your elbow behind the fist.

[@evgeniantelo9697]

Well, in MMA, most hooks are thrown palm down for the simple reason that mma gloves allow you to hide the thumb underneath the big knuckles. On the other hand, you can't make a fist and hide your thumb underneath your knuckles in a boxing glove, hence, the majority of boxers throwing hooks especially with the lead hand, throw them, palm in. So overall I agree with you except for what you said for mma gloves. There are videos showing that more than 90% throw the hooks palm down in the actual fights.

[@lernerboxinghumanperforman5865]

@@camkret4113 Read closely; my comment actually says palm/lower knuckles. My pro MMA fighters always throw palm in and in 7 years have never injured their hand in a fight or training. A lower knuckle scratch is better than a broken thumb. I boxed 17 years competitively, always palm in and never broke my hand. One sparring session in year 15, I turned my knuckles over too early (palm down) and sprained my thumb. I also addressed the unnecessary 90 degree elbow on long hooks (late elbow extension).

[@lernerboxinghumanperforman5865]

@@evgeniantelo9697 Unlikely that it's 90 percent, but let's assume you're right. Most left hook KOs come palm in and always have (Cody Garbrandt, Mike Tyson, Joe Walcott, Jack Dempsey). Most hand injuries come palm down especially in MMA gloves. I've seen it first hand dozens of times. You can hyper adjust and go palm out as many MMA fighters do to avoid the thumb but then proper elbow mechanics are impossible. I have a couple Fighttips videos with Shane Fazen that explain more if you're interested. Maybe I'll put up a more detailed video on my page to help you guys out too. This is always a hot debate.

[@evgeniantelo9697]

@@lernerboxinghumanperforman5865 In boxing, almost everyone throws the hook palm in, I said that in my first reply to you. That's not where I disagreed with you. I spoke about the MMA lead hand hooks. Here is a compilation of a lead hand hook knockouts in MMA. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKeukH2Dh751p6s

[@vule5617]

You can hook far out with palm in if you bend your wrist or fist.. you can recruit more muscles from your arm and chest to make it more powerful..

[@zarian1]

Frans Sands you remind me of my Kru. As you mentioned in the beginning of your book Forget the Ego. Kru wrote on the door of the gym, Leave the Ego outside. Great content and thanks for sharing.

[@JimBobSeeker]

Thank you for this very clear explanation, Fran Sands, coach extraordinaire!

[@dsport2912]

Blown away with this knowledge, i will spread this knowledge thank you fran!

[@HalfDreamRoom]

Thanks Fran. I'll be using this in a school session this afternoon. Great video.

[@myboxingcoach]

Hope it worked out for the kids👍

[@HalfDreamRoom]

@@myboxingcoach It was very useful, Fran. I'd been discussing this very point with one of the lads a couple of weeks back, and I actually showed your video all the way through during our mid-session break. Your delivery is good and the kids were glued to it.

[@camkret4113]

Great video and thanks. I've always thrown my hooks palm down for the reason you describe. Only minor thing I would have called the close in hook almost an upper cut - but thats just semantics as I would have thrown it exactly the same way!

[@dfpguitar]

Thankyou for the detailed explanation, I think I may have asked at one point. You answered it in all the detail I could ever hope for!

[@ph111hud0]

Hello Fran I agree with what you say, I also believe that the palm in method could cause a bicep tendon injury if the punch is not utilised correctly, the strain on the tendon could snap it off at the distal join. Supination of the wrist joint takes the emphasis of power away from the tendon and onto the stronger brachioradialis what in turn is much stronger than the bicep especially in the pronation position. This is excellent advice, thank you so much for this....fellow scouser :)

[@myboxingcoach]

Thanks Phill, appreciate that mate👍

[@youngrichie]

I agree on your points Fran, but let's be honest here there are a lot of boxers who are dirty and will 'get away with what they can'. For example the chopping shovel hook in close using the thumb first is dirty but very effective. One can also 'stack' the palm of your hand with tape gauze and tape.

[@donworland]

I like that you used the term "cuff him" , that isn't in American English maybe but for boxers. Great post, you have a great channel.

[@badjabboxingchannel6810]

Tyson and Roy Jones through their hook with their palms facing them. In the states it’s a legal punch. I teach the hook long mid range and long range with palm facing you. And I pick up the elbow more so it’s also a defensive against a counter right and also shields you at the same time. I also teach the 45 degree hook and the fade out check hook. But all my opinion I’m sure yours is affective also.

[@tm5267]

Fran's coaching from Amateur Competition perspective

[@nancysmith9487]

Goodmorning sir, Thank you, makes sense... also to not leave your sides exposed and can see why you'd have regained integrity with arm down in line with elbow before hook. Cool stuff

[@danzimm1ify]

I agree with the midrange hook technique. With palm down and arm at 90° but longer range hooks need to be palm facing you and arm at 135°. You can land a legal hook without compromising your wrists for sprains and small bones in your pinky and ring fingers. Like you would with palm down at long distance.

[@danzimm1ify]

@Jason Voorhees have you ever followed a straight right with a left hook? Bet you can't land it with palm down. Lol

[@iuris90]

golovkin throws his lethal left hook thumbs up. i think it is indeed personal preference and most people i know (anecdotal, i know) generate more power the "thumbs up way". good video and explanation either way!

[@RickBB87]

Palm inside shouldnt be wrong... in a real streetfight there is a big chance that u will break your little finger by doing the "correct hook" with the palm down... When the palm is inside, your fingers are actually safe and u dont need to worry to hurt yourself.

[@tm5267]

Frans' point of view and knowledge is based on Amateur Competition rules and regs, not street fightin

[@daviesandy1]

great video, i am new to learning boxing, which is great. thanks for the advice

[@CaptainLazerus]

Thanks Fran! I have a brown belt in krav maga and I don't do long range palm in hook punches because if I hit a hard part of the face with my fingers (bare knuckle), I will hurt them and maybe break them. If I'm doing a heel palm hook from the same range, I'll have my fingers all the way back straight. When very close, I'll do an elbow strike instead of a hook punch.

[@gustavjanson9682]

Good thing is, as a krav maga practioner, it's more likely you'll get knocked out by a drunk bum even before you have the chance to break your fingers on his skull so I wouldn't worry about that.

[@mistersonnen848]

Bro what the fuck are you smoking? This is a boxing channel, why the fuck are you talking about elbows and who gives a fuck what you do in your imaginary bare knuckle fights?

[@MrMagEck]

Your videos are the best.

[@sanmike22]

Palm-in hook is is hard for long range, although 90% of boxers world over do it.

[@camkret4113]

I see it all the time at my boxing gym, and they are basically slapping the bag rather than punching it because of this.

[@EC-mt3ut]

Brilliant video, Too many people teaching incorrect technique on KZbin.

[@Combatinho]

I train ring street and palm down will get you 4th and 5th metacarpal fractures. Also, the other version is a shovel hook.

[@fr_fft]

Thanks a lot for these videos really, I enjoy so much the care and the wisdom you put on them. You are the kind of person I would like to have as a coach, shame that I live in other country. Regards!

[@zitoschouten5068]

I prefer the palm out. East European style. Its super effective. Its hard on the shoulders at first but man, with proper technique it hits hard like a mule without any effort. I couldnt land hooks in sparring until i started using the east European hook. Also you hit with all your knuckles and the force is somewhat down aswel as lateraly. Also you can hook to the head from great distance. It gives an extra snap of torque at the end when you get that elbow up.

[@michaelmetcalfe4882]

I think David Haye preaches for palm-in hooks, claiming that you can get extra bicep power into the punch that way. Whether that is valid or not I don't know, I haven't boxed at all in a long time anyway. Possibly because it was drilled into me I always find the palm-down hook more natural, so I'm surprised to see so many comments here claiming the opposite.

[@sumitdaniel6630]

Thanks Fran Sands...made a lot of sense! God bless you.

[@The-Contractor]

Well explained and compelling reasoning.

[@MrBellerose]

Your videos are always great 👍🏻 Thanks, very useful

[@ThePtno1]

Absolutely great video Fran, I envy your boxing knowledge lol

[@shoto520]

Nice info...also the shoulder protects the chin best when palm is down

[@fifes0ul]

Ha ha cant say I have Fran, it’s more like a uppercut for me. The mid range style just seems better, tried it with my boxers last night, and the ability to throw the back hand of that short range left hook was not as effective as the style I suggest. Problems with chin coming up and quite easy to counter with a little head movement, rotate the shoulder and a counter with a lead hand, also blocking was easy again rotating right shoulder in, meant the shot never landed cleanly, add short sharp roll counter with a short range right hook, seems easy to say but in the club last night it just didn’t work, I would say it was more uppercut come screw shot. Anyhoo, great videos I learn a lot from you and I must your the best and most thorough coach on here by a mile 🥊😉

[@Chief2Moon]

For whatever it's worth, dad& grandpa pretty much taught me to throw left hooks as you show here, although no mention was made about being penalized for improperly doing it. Rather, their opinion was that your way gets the most power out of the punch....and that if you miss, you may still land an elbow. Haha

[@brightfuture9106]

Great explanation on correct technique for all ranges Fran 👍🏼

[@ec7645]

You will always get people teaching incorrect hooks, most of the people I’ve seen on here doing it have little to no amateur boxing experience. Great video mate would love to pick your brain to get a few coaching ideas

[@myboxingcoach]

Thanks mate. No worries. Drop any questions here or on the website (tend to get to things quicker on the site). You can get my email address on the site too👍

[@ahmadnassar3366]

The longest hook is the strongest one. It's basic physic taught in high school. The longer the distance in rotational movment the highest the speed making the punch stronger

[@adcyuumi]

If the power came from your glove weighing 20 lbs, you'd be right.

[@nancysmith9487]

Nourishing for life, great job

[@shinyong9978]

I like your short hook because it feels very natural when I throw it

[@khanzazai6087]

Thanks, it was really great and interesting one.

[@robertg305]

Best channel

[@boxingforselfdefence7620]

Interestingly, when I started doing more light bare knuckle work on the bag, I began to change the way I threw the hook, necessarily. The gloves will allow you to land the fist in almost any way but bare knuckle, alignment is everything or the result is pain and potential injury. I wonder if the old timers were onto something with those light little bag gloves.

[@myboxingcoach]

I still like using those little bag gloves. Fell out of favour and I'm not really sure why, with the right bandaging they still provide great protection - I reckon you could well be right.

[@boxingforselfdefence7620]

@@myboxingcoach I guess we're more worried about the longevity of the joints these days.

[@declanryan6540]

Most are a bit quicker than oul Fran, long range hook palm facing is no problem to most after a little slip.

[@david-pb4bi]

I do my hooks with palm facing the ceiling?

[@Chrstana]

Interesting. Personally I hook palm out...😂

[@adcyuumi]

The long range hook, or overhook, is better to throw palm down. When thrown palm in while moving, too easily your hook becomes a weak pawing motion or a clumsy hammer fist. Punching is not done with the whole hand, even in gloves. It is done with the first knuckle of the pointer finger and the interior half of the first knuckle of the middle finger. For this same reason, a midrange hook should be thrown palm down. When the opponent is backing away from punches, both overhooks and midrange hooks can be thrown palm in to gain range. But in this scenario, these punches are no longer hook punches. A hook punch is a rotational punch. When the opponent backs away, your hooks must follow the target -- you are just throwing curved punches from the outside, which especially in the case of an overhook push out into a straight punch as you drive your hand through the target. A hook by definition does not knock the opponent away from you. It moves the target sideways. A lot of fighters famous for throwing "palm in overhooks" fight a lot from the outside and are counter punchers. They are not throwing hooks, not really. They are just throwing punches from the outside, over or under the opponent's hand, and knocking the opponent out of range to disrupt the opponent's flow and balance. If you watch fights with this in mind, you will see how often a fighter must step in a lot after throwing a palm in overhook just to throw a followup punch. With a palm down overhook, the target tends to still be in range without the need for chasing. The shovel hook, or underhook, is more like an uppercut. It should usually be thrown palm in, to avoid the bottom half if the glove being the first half of your hand to hit the target. You have no penetration power if the correct two knuckles are not driving squarely through the opponent. Your punch becomes a violent shove at best, and a feeble push too much of the time. The idea is the same; it's just that for this punch, palm in is the better way to get the bottom half of your glove out of the way.

[@markantonyuk6344]

I came here as last night I was in the gym . And i was tought to throw my hooks with my wrist facing down by the coach . As you won't score points as explained he said the same its a slap . Not going to lie it doesnt feel natural but he said snap the twist wen connecting at last second. It feels that unnatural i had to come see if anything on you tube and here it is thank you i will keep trying till I get it rite and it becomes normal

[@azticbangz1792]

Tell that to Roy Jones...he was named Captain Hook and hooked palm facing in....never once did he get warned lol

[@rokmin8550]

very interesting, I was never taught any of this, I have never seen anyone called on this and I am no longer active but its certainly a better idea to do it the right way and passing it on to others who are active.

[@jamessnell4756]

intelligent. well presented. with sound reasoning. thankyou.

[@myboxingcoach]

Thanks James

[@bryandominguez6225]

POST MORE VIDEOS !!! I WANNA THROW HAYMAKERS , HOOKS , AND THE UPPERCUTS I HAVE TROUBLE WITH ALL THREE .

[@pedropunjabi7339]

Sounds like you suck

[@theone3772]

wow, you are lusting for power, i'm sure with such greed darth sidious will find you soon and teach you how to shoot a lightning bolt don't worry

[@bryandominguez6225]

@@theone3772 lmaooo that was a gud one

[@MetricSun]

The problem with palm down is that if u miss or scrap your opponent you can beak your hand. With palm in even if u miss u protect your hand.

[@richneu2327]

Great and informative video

[@jrock9198]

Palm down creates too much instability in the wrist with minimal support.

[@trayze]

Awesome advice! Thank you! 👍💪

[@estebannemo1957]

Fred always reminded me of Elvis Costello’s tougher cousin.

[@benob6746]

Who is Fred?

[@BadManN_TheBushes]

lunging left upper cut /(Mike Tyson)hook hybrid is nice too

[@fifes0ul]

One more point not seeing an effective roll to a counter punch if you throw that short range left hook, your body position after throwing that shot leaves you vulnerable to counters particuarlly counter hooks, where I believe short range hook thrown like mid range style, allows better body position to roll, to counter a counter,

[@martinrz838]

Amazing content, as always

[@hugo_vega_1]

You seem like a solid dude great content!

[@coondous]

I'm struggling with the palm in or palm down argument. I'm happy hooking with palm down at mid range, but at long range I'm told to turn the hand over. However I feel I am going to break my shoulder doing this. Yet most pros hook with palms in, especially long range hooks.

[@coondous]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpPGf3admtyJopI

[@Sinekyre14]

I've been making this mistake on the heavybag for months. Wow. I'm gonna stop doing it. THANK YOU.

[@smashleyscott8272]

The Forms ... scroll down and read my insight into this. Palm in is better... quicker, less mechanics, less shoulder elevation, and less wrist rotation. It snaps better and cleaner and it's easier to return it to its origin.

[@DoctahDizzle]

Great video! I got your free beginner boxing toolkit and I plan to attend a boxing gym soon.

[@smashleyscott8272]

Doctor D ... watch highlights of Mike Tyson & Tommy Morrison. Best hooks in the last 30 years. Their palms were ALWAYS in.

[@DoctahDizzle]

Smashley Scott I’ve seen some boxers say that the hook should always be palm in, others say palm down. I’ve seen some boxers say that the jabs and crosses must always end with the palms down, but I’ve see numerous boxers, including Mike Tyson throw their cross with the palm sideways, like the old School Irish fighting days. I’ve also heard that in the “old days,” the “boxers” did not have as much wrist protection so jabs and crosses were more common and the palms were placed to the side when punches were thrown, as twisting the palms down can lead to a boxer’s fracture without protection. As boxers got more protection, they could afford to throw their punches palm down because there is more protection, and I think the palms down (during a jab/cross/hook) or up (during an uppercut) also permits more power. When one pushes and lifts you normally turn your palm facing down or up, respectively.

[@smashleyscott8272]

Doctor D ... on straight punches, the turn of the palm is dependent on purpose. Splitting the gloves is easier when the palm is sideways/thumb up, for example. Truth to any puch is how fluid is it... ?? How natural and simple is it?? How quick is it?? How effective is it?? Is it a natural, simple mechanical motion??

[@stthomasaquarius]

I wonder if you could do a video taking about Nacho Beristain's coaching his fighters to throw their straight punches with a vertical fist. It seems like a very uncommon style in boxing.

[@MrLoudthought]

Fran Sands, I love your videos, specifically on footwork. But I will respectfully, and admittedly disagree....I've done some amateur boxing and I coach an have competed professionally in Muay Thai. Muay Thai you can get points deducted from sloppy form, and palm in is standard, especially when you get past the 65ers into the 70s+.... I use Palm in, I generate more power, especially when I sit into it, and minimize risk of injury by using palm in. I've never been warned or even spoken to prefight or otherwise that said palm in was conditional. To your points in the video, I do think the point of contact is what is being paid attention to by referees. Which again forces/allows one to be creative when using a selected punch within a combo. Like peek-a-boo from Cus used a more corkscrew jab which Made the hand positioning change with the built in head slip, level change, and squared off stance to the jab from that system, jab becomes a palm out technique, but still the points of contact were consistent...

[@TheE4kid]

A ref won’t say you’re punching incorrectly! Many fighters throw the left/right hook with thumbs up and many do with thumb and palm down - just preference. Mike Tyson has mean hooks and his thumbs were up!

[@youbintubin1]

Good stuff Fran!

[@mathewreaed6736]

Personally I like the use the close range hook