Boxing Training - The Wrong Way to Hook!

In both my boxing training videos and in the boxing gym, I coach 3 basic ways of throwing a left hook (and right hook for that matter) - short range, mid range and long range. In this boxing training video I want to dispel what I think is some uninformed thinking around the way in the hook should be thrown.
The may actually go against the advice issued in some other online boxing training videos, but I'll leave it up to you as to the way you should progress.
When you throw a hook, either a left hook or right hook, there needs to be some clarity around whether to deliver the hook with your palm facing inwards (towards you) or downwards (towards the ground). Whilst some may suggest that this is a matter of personal preference, I disagree.
Depending upon where your target (your opponent’s head or the heavy bag) is in relation to you, the way in which you deliver your hook is actually a vital consideration.
If your opponent is exactly the same distance from you as the length of your extended upper-arm, this would be described as ‘mid-range’, then you may get away with delivering a palm-in hook rather palm-down (the latter being the way I would ALWAYS coach).
In boxing competition, if your opponent is a few inches further away than the length if your upper arm and you deliver a palm-in hook then you run the risk of being issued a warning by the referee for incorrect punching.
If the opponent is a few inches closer to you and you use palm in but don’t drop your elbow then you lose the integrity of the arm and generate a negative impact upon the power.
So, during your boxing training it is well worth recognising the distinction required in respect of how that hook lands!
Sign up to the Beginner Boxer Toolkit Here: www.myboxingco...
Cheers
Fran

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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

[@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%

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@jasonvoorhees5640]

Dempsey and D'amato were real boxing dudes. not like the bummy clown in this video

[@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.

[@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!!💯💯

[@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.

[@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!

[@EC-mt3ut]

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

[@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.

[@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...😂

[@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 🥊😉

[@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.

[@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...

[@ThePtno1]

Absolutely great video Fran, I envy your boxing knowledge lol

[@BadManN_TheBushes]

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

[@sumitdaniel6630]

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

[@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.

[@dfpguitar]

Thanks for this clarification, we appreciate it. Can you explain what we should aim at with these hooks? In your instructions it seems that you want us to hit the side of the head bang on with the striking face of the glove. Many other instruction videos seems to teach that the fist should just glance across the chin.

[@jjriley5206]

Palm down you're going to end up fucking up your hand if you dont land it perfectly

[@shinyong9978]

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

[@robertg305]

Best channel

[@djordjebozovic3061]

My wrist good hurt pretty bad from throwing power left hooks with palm in. Its just not natural position for palm

[@alrightythen1466]

The confusion comes with people that don’t have the body mechanics down correctly. You do not PUSH the fist into a target. All three of the hooks he demonstrated, he was pulling. Freddie roach also said the left hook is a pull. The way the shot looks is not the way it’s performed. When your feet legs hips torso and shoulders move correctly...its a pull. Don’t push or shove the punch

[@Cloppa2000]

I agree that palming someone on the side of the head is a foul but if u catch his chin with ur knuckles there's no reason u cant have palm in for a long distance hook, and with palm down in that instance ur more likely to hit with ur pinkie knuckle! It depends on distance and target.

[@coachmario1779]

I have the utmost respect for this coach and i have watched with great interest all of his video and I agree with all of their content. I go so far to say that they are much better than Freddie Roach's ones... except for this one. The hook with the hand palm parallel to the floor has been cause of infinite injuries to the wrist and forearm of countless athletes. Also the alignment of the bone of the forearm (Ulna and Radius) is not optimal in that position as the two bones are crossing each other. The best alignment is when the two bones are parallel as the mechanical resistance is optimal and the interosseous membrane of the forearm is in tension. We can only achieve that when the palm during the hook is almost perpendicular to the floor. Also when jabbing for instance, the optimal mechanical resistance of the forearm is when the fist is roughly 30-45 degrees off from being perpendicular to the floor. (eg there is no need to twist your fist clockwise any further). As far as the refereeing is concerned I would refer anybody interested in watching a bout on KZbin and closely check out all the hooks. (this is an interesting one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KhBz Maywather vs De La Hoya) There are lots of wide hooks but none gets sanctioned by the ref.) I hope the above is of help to anybody interested.

[@skip741x3]

well said Mario...ive already left quite a few comments saying the same point..

[@martinrz838]

Amazing content, as always

[@hugo_vega_1]

You seem like a solid dude great content!

[@RaneBane]

You dont have to slap the guy because your thumb is up. Its the middle knuckles that make contact where there is the most padding. Standing southpaw, I love that punch thrown at range against an orthodox fighter

[@youbintubin1]

Good stuff Fran!

[@tobealionyoumusttrainwithl1645]

joe calzaghe springs to mind .. always palm in and the method i prefer .. great vid tho

[@DiamondKingsMusic]

Huge fan of yours, I’d say this. Roy Jones threw more left hooks than anybody..and he threw prob 95% of them with palm in. Not once did I ever see or hear a ref or announcer ever mention a thing about it breaking a rule. Lol maybe it was so fast nobody could see in real time 🙃

[@DiamondKingsMusic]

Can throw Mayweather in that group as well almost all his hooks were thrown palm in, never a word of a rule break.

[@chaundremostert5555]

awesome👏👏👏👏

[@mactram7293]

tk for ur lesson

[@fitness_boxing]

Thank you so mush coach.

[@Tripledigit0922]

Thanks, great video! I know, you are talking about competition and judge warnings. I am not doing competitive boxing but rather for defensive purposes. Does it still stand from that perspective? What's going to hurt the wrist less if I am not wearing gloves? I'd appreciate your response. Thanks much!

[@Hwg84]

Without gloves, if you punch palm down, there's a big chance you'll be hitting with the two smaller knuckles and hurt it.

[@theeel420]

To me palm down generates more power because you turn the punch over & get more snap. I hit the heavy bag thumb up however. .

[@skip741x3]

if you think palm transmits More power, i suggest testing that on the heavy bag... palm down hooks will damage ur wrist very quickly as you try to release force into the bag.. palm in is what you intuitively chose when on the bag becuz ur body Knows this is correct form to deliver power

[@tm5267]

Check Frans comments. Heavy bag, fire away how you see fit. Amateur Competition when you're not hittin a Heavy Bag, palm down for points

[@stephenmonash8245]

I am worried about breaking my wrist...any tips?

[@skip741x3]

Thumb up,palm in is how you need to throw is you want to transmit the generated power to the target... i like fan sands, but have to disagree on this matter...The truth of this is Easily discovered when delivering a hook on the heavybag...Try to generate force through a palm down hook.... hand and wrist injury will follow....

[@teamhazardous201]

The first punch is a lead uppercut in my eyes.

[@Jesusx23x]

I agree . More so like a hook uppercut or hookercut.

[@jimmykrakorn9676]

What about rear hook?

[@soullight8632]

My body naturally wants to punch palm down, but I’ve always thrown the hook palm in. Wtf

[@kgw4891]

I'll be honest I feel like this is an unnecessary point. You can hit some one with hook at any effective range either way, but your range is limited because a hook is a short range weapon. If you have to straighten your arm too much then you are out of range for the hook and you are throwing it incorrectly. Eventually, you could injure yourself that way and if you turn the elbow down as Fran suggests for close range you are now throwing an uppercut.

[@clean04si]

hes correct. not only for any referee calling the shots foul, but strictly from a defensive point of view you're less exposed after a hook with a slight upward and pal down, not to mention its easier to put your hips into it like he said. if you have any doubt lets see pacman explain for basically the same reasons why its better to be palm down. even though he may show his elbow up when demonstrating he does one example with his guard fully raised to show a spectator, and he throws the hook exactly as youve shown. his reasoning, that its harder to slip with palm down. give a watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qICbkKuufdmdbJI great txtbook boxing vids, as always. keep it up!

[@tinkerqueen19]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I've even been taught by highly educated, experienced, and qualified boxing trainers to have your palms facing in and not down that way you're lowering your risk or a wrist injury

[@myboxingcoach]

Yes, on that bag caution should be used with the palm down hook. But against a human head it works just fine. I will always say if you are being coached by experienced coaches who are looking after your interests, go with their advice rather than what you find on KZbin. I coach 3 types of hook as do many coaches that I know. Others don't. That's one of the joys of the game.

[@tinkerqueen19]

@@myboxingcoach thank you for your response

[@cookiemonster-pq2vs]

I'm leaning a lot thanks

[@myjizzureye]

Am I the only one hooking with an inverted hand "thumb facing down"? I do it because it has more range and l can seem to put a lot more into it without danger to my wrist.

[@myjizzureye]

Yeah dunno, its the only way I can hook without risk of fucking my wrist up with poor technique.

[@nancysmith9487]

Recovery rush

[@adamturner2836]

For anyone who doesn't know most of this is irrelevant. Your target moves most of the time which means the position of the target may have changed by time you land your shot therefore altering the physics of the punch without your control and may make your punch look wrong. All this he says is fine if your hitting a solid non moveable target 👍

[@pckmusic]

Wisdom. As usual.

[@hansouth2355]

good to know fs

[@themartialartist1929]

Tx coach

[@Epig420]

Palm down will break your hand if the glove sucks

[@richey761]

The ref will not warn you if you are Ray Leonard

[@EC-ne8hn]

Can’t count how many times I’ve had this argument with other people. Frustrating seeing people taught incorrect techniques.

[@theredninja2817]

Freddie Roach teaches Palm down

[@markbarnor675]

The Americans have a fighter called Beyoncé Wilder who slaps and is successful. On our side of the pond, we had a fighter who retired undefeated called Joe Calzaghe and he slapped the shit out of your Jeff Lacy 😎🥊

[@musharebmahar1111]

If palm in thumbs up hooks are illegal, then Mike Tyson would have been disqualified in all of his fights.

[@tm5267]

Fran's talkin from Amateur Competition point of view

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@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

[@jasonvoorhees5640]

@@kiwishbj1 has fran sands trained any famous boxers?

[@calisslatv5337]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@jrock9198]

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

[@jordanmort4327]

Golovkin hits palm down

[@Jaxzys]

Jordan Mort he generates more power this way through elasticity in his shoulders and arms,can see the way he throws it comes around and then thuds onto his opponents heads,guys still an animal now😂

[@estebannemo1957]

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

[@benob6746]

Who is Fred?

[@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

[@dav22we84]

☝️🥊Fran Sands🥊☝️

[@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.

[@Blackwido88]

I have NEVER heard that throwing a hook palm down was the way to go. It feels wrong too. Hmm

[@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.

[@krisutvv]

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

[@mathewreaed6736]

Personally I like the use the close range hook

[@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.

[@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.

[@andofitness5073]

Wait what I never knew this? I always thought you could throw a long hook and a short hook. You will get points deducted for throwing a long hook? Wtf?

[@m2tappy982]

Great vid!!

[@myboxingcoach]

Thank you

[@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.

[@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.

[@d3athraz0r14]

Now I know why my coach keeps persisting with me not to hook that way. It just felt natural for me to hook that way but coach says no. wacks me across the head

[@uli9084]

Very good information, but totally based on boxing with gloves on. Doesn,t make punching mid range this way you more vulnerable for breaking bones in your hand. Better keep the fist vertical for self defense (so bare handed). Thank you.

[@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!

[@edwhlam]

Looks like Lomachenko has been throwing his hooks incorrectly all along. Someone better tell him. 😀 Just having fun. I have heard the same over the years. Personally, I think the vertical hook is easier on the shoulder. I have never seen anyone called on throwing hooks that way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHemmWBup9ubgck

[@dandukedog979]

If a boxer gets more power throwing his way, he'll keep that way. End of.

[@ernestomejia8837]

If you want to throw it like the best pros, then it’s thumbs up most of the time. Your bicep is too week with the amateur style hook. Keep your thumb up if you don’t want to lose power in you kinetic chain at the arm and elbow. This is what the pros do, no the amateurs. I’ve trained both. All hooks and upper cuts rotate the opposite of straight punches at their points of contact. Sweet science. Thumbs up=solid kinetic chain.

[@Sombersamurai]

Ahhhhh I get it now, thanks for clearing this up for me, I get called on slaps and now I know why.