Left Hook, Horizontal/Vertical

[SamuraiGuy]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on whether your fist should be vertical or horizontal when throwing the left hook.

I've been told both ways, by several different people, and am not sure which one to really go with, personally the horizontal way feels more natural to me (I'll prolly stick with this either way, just trying to educate myself, unless there is a very good reason).

By Horizontal I mean palm facing the ground, and vertical palm facing your face, just so theres no confusion.

This is a boxing question, and I'd also like to know if you think it should change for MMA, I know I'll get a better response, especially concerning left hooks in here, than I would over there.

Thanks.

[Maxx]

My personal opinion is this: If I am throwing a tight hook, meaning I have just slipped a cross and my opponent and I are nearly body to body, I will generally throw my hook with a vertical fist. I feel as though I get more leverage this way and I feel less likely to injure my thumb. As the range increases though and my hook becomes longer, I tend to keep my fist horizontal. With a long range hook, keeping this fist in a vertical position causes a great deal of tension in the forearm. Turning the fist into a horizontal position eliminates the tension in the forearm.

Just my personal observations, nothing written in stone.

[twtguy]

My personal opinion is this: If I am throwing a tight hook, meaning I have just slipped a cross and my opponent and I are nearly body to body, I will generally throw my hook with a vertical fist. I feel as though I get more leverage this way and I feel less likely to injure my thumb. As the range increases though and my hook becomes longer, I tend to keep my fist horizontal. With a long range hook, keeping this fist in a vertical position causes a great deal of tension in the forearm. Turning the fist into a horizontal position eliminates the tension in the forearm.

Just my personal observations, nothing written in stone.

Im completely opposite. Im not saying that my way is right, Im just saying that I learned for close target, tight, hooks, the palm should face the floor. For targets farther away, the palm should face you.

In MMA, you dont really throw a lot of tight hooks, because if your'e that close, you might as well knee someone. I would keep my palm facing me if you throw hooks at all, and they should be for a farther target. But,
thats just what I've learned, nothing written in stone

[gabbah]

I like the horizontal, because it allows me to have a litte more snap to it... well at least it feels that way but i can't really explain it. It's sort of the same thing when throwing a cross and there's a little rotation of the fist as you get your sholder into the punch. Some extra snap.
It's also easier to hook a little downwards with a horizontal fist, in case your opponent is "hiding" behind his shoulder. This is the main reason I'd go for the horizontal fist.

[Tom Yum]

Vertical for me.

For some reason, I can unload more power with the fist vertical.

[gabbah]

Vertical for me.

For some reason, I can unload more power with the fist vertical.

You are probably holding a horse shoe in your hand when you use a vertical fist, and holding nothing when using a horisontal fist. I'll let you ponder that for a while.

[SamuraiGuy]

Unfortunately being at school, I can only go to my second school (Judo/BJJ) over my MMA school, (Boxing, Kickboxing, BJJ, wrestling).

Therefore no one is around to box, and the people who will.... well lets just say it doesnt go long enough to usually test ranges/theories/tactics on them, because when they start to get hit and whatnot, it suddenly isnt as fun as they thought it would be when they watched the last UFC, boxing match... or . hahhaa.. movie (fight club)... hahahaha...

[gabbah]

Tell them they can wear 10 oz gloves and you wear 16 oz and it'll be fair.

[SamuraiGuy]

Tell them they can wear 10 oz gloves and you wear 16 oz and it'll be fair.

Ugh until I recently got another pair of boxing gloves they wear using my MMA gloves... 14 oz, vs 4 oz....

Do you see why I cant really test anything out now?

[gabbah]

Ugh until I recently got another pair of boxing gloves they wear using my MMA gloves... 14 oz, vs 4 oz....

Do you see why I cant really test anything out now?

It'l be like boxing vs wing chun! It'll be fun! Come ooon, don't be such a pussy!

[SamuraiGuy]

You need some tougher training partners, brother.

lol these arent my training partners, my training partners smash me.... (well.. some of them... others I smash, but isnt that the way things go).

These are just goofy university kids who want to "UFC" someone....

And thanks for all the replies guys.

[knifehand]

i prefer the vertical fist hook myself only because i find the wrist is more supported from shock in that position.....tyson also threw his hook that way as well .....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql4Dd_0p1Hw

[SamuraiGuy]

Samurai,
I checked with the gym owner. The prices I gave you are solid.

And if you were interested, we could even get you a fight in an amateur MMA or kickboxing show while you're here.

As long as theres no headgear... I hate that shit... for some reason I feel like I cant see anything when I wear it, even when I can, I also feel like my head is 8 times bigger and easier to hit.

I'm still trying to figure out how much money I'll have to spend, time to spend, etc...

I'd definetly go for that though, once I figure out which way I want to throw my hook haha...

(Probably as most people suggested go with whatever works best at the time).