The Art of Modern Self-Defence: Understanding the Correct Way to Turn your Fist for Hooks
For the dedicated martial arts enthusiast in the 21st century, self-defence is no static art. It’s a discipline evolving sharply and breathtakingly with the changing dynamics of life. Recent understandings of hook punches and the way one turns the fist while executing them have sparked new discussions among martial arts aficionados. This exploration triggers a dialogue, bringing a video by YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, run by Icy Mike, into focus. In the informative video aired on December 29, 2022, Icy Mike dialogues with another coach on how to correctly turn the fist when throwing a hook. They deliberated on the age-old debate of whether Palm down or Palm in is the ‘right way’. The Palm Down vs The Palm In Argument The conversation begins with a riveting discussion on whether turning your fist thumb down or palm towards you is the more powerful strategy. The consensus seems that ‘Palm In’ can engage more arm muscles like the bicep that contract during the punch. Consequently, this ignites the debate about which technique is literally and figuratively ‘lighter.’ Should we recruit unnecessary muscles or ‘lighten the load’? Despite this, the conversation shows that these techniques aren’t mutually exclusive. Instead, they hold unique places and applications within the complex world of self-defence. The benefit of the ‘Palm down’ method is its generation of more power through a smaller surface area. Conversely, the ‘Palm towards me’ or ‘thumb up’ approach is favored for its speed. The Factor of Range As the video progresses, the martial arts practitioners evaluate the role of range in the correct fist position for hooks. They emphasise that fighting isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. The ideal technique involves adjusting your arm’s position and alignment based on your distance from your opponent. Hence, Palm Down, In, Thumb Down, Thumb Up – all of these techniques might have their moments of triumph in a fight, depending on the scenario and range. Practical Application and Implications In the duration of the video, the coaches, using practical examples, reiterate the fact that each strike and fist turn has an advantage and a place of its own. A direct impact in one situation may not work in another context. For instance, the Palm Down approach can work when seeking power and precision, targeting the two primary knuckles of the fist. On the other hand, using the Palm In technique could be for speed-based moves like hand-checking an opponent’s guard. The beauty of this exploration is the realization that there isn’t a universally ‘correct’ way to turn your fist when throwing a hook. In essence, martial arts, and specifically self-defence, are far from dogmatic. They involve continuous learning, adaptation, and personalisation. Understanding when and how to utilise the various techniques uniquely, depending on the fighter’s body type, preferred engagement range, and requirements of a specific situation, is the key to mastering this art.Adaptive and Fluid
Further cementing this notion, the video ends on a note of the coaches throwing punches different ways during sparring or fighting. This exemplifies how adaptable and fluid one needs to be with their fighting technique. A pertinent takeaway from Icy Mike’s striking diatribe is that self-defence does not subscribe to a rigid rulebook. The ‘correct way’ is continually evolving – dictated not by convention, but by the dynamics of the situation at hand. This blueprint of information demands us to be adaptable, training oneself not just in the rigid techniques but in fluid, moment-to-moment responsiveness bolstered by thorough understanding.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a popular YouTube channel run by Icy Mike. He shares practical self-defense instructions and fitness advice. A true aficionado of martial arts, Mike brings humor, straightforward explanations and real-world experience, making his demonstrations both beneficial and entertaining. His commitment to personal safety and health is unrivaled.
Self-Defence Block
For my part, it's entirely dependent on what's most natural. In amateur boxing (UK) the palm-in is discouraged as it may be conceived as a slap by the ref. Oddly, I throw palm-in on lefts, palm-down on rights.
Specifically head? You want to dig to the body and then the bicep IS involved. Head though…
I turn it over at the end. Not thumb down like a straight right but turned horizontal from vertical. Right at the end of the punch. Pro is that tends to amplify the drive through just like turning over a right. Con is that action destabilizes the wrist a bit just like turning over a right.
I can absolutely see though that if you're throwing it on the inside to keep it vertical. If you don't want to put in a lot of complex movement in the short space between your fist and guy's head.
I always was taught to put your palm in cause there more of a chance of breaking your smaller knuckles with the other style the distance thing makes sense in my head tho
I start by throwing hooks with thumbs up and rotate the wrist at the end of the punch, ending with thumb/palm down. This also keeps me from overspending which makes me more vulnerable to a counter. I feel quicker to.
More muscle recruitment increases acceleration which increases force. Mike Tyson's hook is palm in!
I use both when doing a double hook go to the body with the thumb up and palm down to the head
The way he explains it is what feel the most natural
I go palm in to the body. Palm down to the head
Palm in… Speed and movement when finding range, and inside engagement. Palm down… For power off counters, or clean slips when you pivot outside guard.
I do however subscribe to sometimes rotating the Palm depending on the specific target.
A punch is best thrown the best way it can be landed simple there is no palm up palm down crap at all! Ill just hit you the easys,t way to hit you because landing it is more impotant than which way i hold my palm simple just land more shots.
In Muay, you use palm down for short hooks because you may follow with an elbow too. And palm in for longer shots, but also palm out for the longer circular overhead punch or Buffalo swing style punch in Thai, called Wieng Kwai. So certainly it depends. All have their beneficts and cons. And of course you have to take into account if you are bare hand or gloved.
Palm down weakens the link between your center and your fist. But either will work depending on body positions and momentum.
Good overall analysis of an important detail. And a good example of sharing perspectives. Many of the most solid things I have ever learned have come from looking at techniques from both an aikido and a wing chun perspective. with a friend from another system. Plus some classic boxing. thrown in.
This type of video is some of your best work IMNERHO.
I’m a rank amateur but for me it depends on what I’m trying to hit. If I’m throwing a hook to the head, I like palm in because if I miss I won’t hit with the weaker part of my hand. For body shots I like palm down because I can put more of my pec and shoulders into it, gives it a better snap IMO
Good episode 💯🥊 Great to see the open mindedness in technique. I personally use the short hook (palm up) for the body, whereas the long hook for mid range to the head…👍🏾
There is two ways of hooking Thai boxing and kenpo/kempo karate for less than 90 degree angle thumb down to change to elbow. The second way boxing thumb up for wider than 90 degrees angle for more reaching hook for a chopping hook with a small circular movement with the hand.
I trained at Kenny Weldons (Holyfileds first trainer). He taught palm down on tight hooks, as the hook becomes longer rotate the thumb up (the clock method like you showed). I asked Vinny Pazienza once what he thought and he said "I dont think the guy who gets knocked out will notice". lol. Its all personal preference.
Thumb up to the liver.
for me i like the thubb up so i can actually rotate naturally so i can throw a comfortable punch but this just porves everyone is diffrent its height its weight its range so its never a right one
Palm down is tricep
Great explanation & conversation👌🏾
palm down. your radius and ulna bones are parallel and stronger, while your shoulder muscles are engaged, strong. thumb up the bones are diagonal from each other and weaker and more of your elbow muscles are working, and weaker.
Palm up is universal. Palm in gives more acceleration and snap. Palm down Locks the shoulder and generates locked power
I enjoy this kind of stuff. This is exactly how I think when I'm throwing. What is the persons body like, what are their individual weaknesses and strength, what is the angle of their jaw etc.
Very informative!
I think the hook that actually lands and does damage is the right one! 😅 timing and target assessment can compensate for the “wrong” palm position.
Subscribed!
This guy is a major narcissist, attention whore, disrespectful, arrogant, abuses his students as well.
the bald manlet's soft gross skinnyfat body disgusts me, he has a lot of lard on his gut
the bald skinny fat estrogen bloated guy is a narcissist, thinks he is so cool, does not respect his students, always casually hurting them just so he can look cool… he also obviously abuses stimulants/cocaine/etc
ultimate larper
The strongest one is the one you train the most😂
In our KM school they said that palm down is risky because ring fingers and pinkies can break if you don't hit right…
I tried my left hook rotating my wrist away today ( like an uppercut) and holy shit! It hurt so bad! I screamed in pain. Not a good look in the dojo. I can barely move my hand. My ulna is so inflamed.
Find it much easier to get my elbow in line with my fist throwing palm down.
Icy mike king of the kids with no idea as usual
All about palm in personally .
Its the wrist lock it feels so much stronger. Even throwing right out in a full stiff arm max reach hook I still palm in with the wrist locked in a 90degree angle to the forearm .
Any range full force bare Knuckle no problem.
Palm down tweak my wrist every time even wrapped. Just doesn't feel like a natural body mechanic to me .
I'm so used to palm down that anything else feels totally wrong.
When I was in the youth boxing program in my town, I was taught to throw my hooks palm down because you will get penalized for hitting your opponent with an open handed shot.
That was a long time ago, so Im not sure if that is even a rule anymore in competition, but on the street it doesn't matter.
I've always heard your supposed to start palm in and turn it over as you make contact.
Palm in typically gives you more power, but I love palm down because of the range and increased knuckle placement, also you can do a nice variant of palm down called a Thai hook which is where you’re throwing at a slightly downward angle, let’s you chop through guards pretty nice.
there is no one answer, but there is a right one, palm in