Originally Posted by
HerbM
halisray,
You didn't mention wrapping your hands so that would be my first suggestion. Buy 180' wraps and find one of the videos here or on the net about how to wrap them correctly. Always wrap your hands, which includes the wrist, for striking the heavy bag.
Dempsey's book (available download link is posted here in this forum) "Championship Fighting" talks explicitly about which knuckle to use.
Recently we had a discussion here and many experienced folks confirmed what Dempsey suggested: With wrapped hands and gloves, AIM with the Ring Finger knuckle to achieve a 3-knuckle landing with Small, Ring, and Middle fingers.
This is COUNTER to what is taught in most karate/martial arts, where the first two fingers are commonly taught. This not only assumes no wrapping (which the smaller bones of the outside of the hand need more) but also that you know PRECISELY how to align your fist/knuckles with your radius (arm) bone which requires VERY subtle and accurate movement -- probably years (or at least months) of practice before hitting anything very hard.
I have only been using the ring finger idea for about 2 weeks (in boxing on the heavy bag) but already my hand
feels better -- and I seem to be hitting harder, mostly due to better rotation of the shoulder (hand turns over further) which helps release my spine and waist to turn into the punch more completely.
Prior to that, my punches had reached the level where my index knuckle was starting to develop persistent (although minor) soreness.
Harder punches with less injury and more relaxation and rotation are all good things.
The folks here on the forum were a big help -- from recommending and providing links to books, to confirming or clarifying the information there, and offering additional advice.
--
HerbM
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