Which Knuckles?

I was just reading some of Jack Dempsey's book that Chris posted (thanks for that Chris, great read) and he talks about punching with the outer three knuckles. I've heard this before but the coaches I've learned from have all said to use the index and middle knuckles. Dempsey's book went through a demonstration where you lean into a wall holding yourself up by your fist both ways but I didn't feel more stability on the outer three as he said I should. Maybe this is because I'm used to using the inner. I also feel like using the outside knuckles decreases your reach a little bit, but maybe I'm off on that.

Are the inner two typically taught just because they are less likely to lead to injury? Do you get more power using the outer knuckles? I'd like to hear what you guys think about this.

Ive tried the outer knuckles thing,never felt natural

One problem that I saw with Dempsey's punching knuckle position is if you're fighting a taller opponent, your pinky knuckle is taking most of the force. Besides that you're thumb is more vulnerable if you throw your hand that way. I prefer a slight twist so that the pinky knuckle is pointing up to get the best of both worlds.

Done properly the shots should turn so you are punching with the outside 3 is the term. Biomechanicly its true form for power and protection,. it takes time to understand the concept of touch and feel. The understanding of right and wrongs of the biomechanics of excersice, the power of posture, what works, what doesnt. work the theory Head over Arsehole and what moves the shoulder is the other shoulder the more you turn the shot correctly the more the other shoulder moves giving good form for power with the next shot and protection of the chin if your shoulders there his fist isnt. Remember power comes from what stays back not what goes forward and muscles working as they should

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Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Ive tried the outer knuckles thing,never felt natural

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Did the same and broke my hand because I landed the punch with the last 2 outher knuckles. My ring finger knuckle is now hammered back a cm into my hand. Need a bloody operation now.

Kel very rare that should happen Id think about how you wrap your hands, the knuckles run 3 and 2 The finger nearest the thumb is the weak link plus theres a lot of thums damaged because of it by not turning it away

I've never been concerned about my knuckles. The things that need the most protection, IMO, are the wrists and thumb. In fact, and you'll all disagree with my philosophy here, but I rarely even wraps my hands anymore when on the bag. I find it hurts more when I do even though I KNOW I'm doing it right, it prevents me from overworking (sparing my elbows and shoulders from impact soreness and strain) and on making sure I hit the bag very true, working form over power. I wrap when I spar.

That's just the way I do things....

sit straight to your moniter.

Put your arm out straight so that your two inner knuckles are touching the moniter. Look at your wrist and think about how it feels.

Now roll your fist so that your outer three are touching the monitor, how does that look and feel?

Do the same and push the monitor, again... which feels stronger? if you look at your index knuckle you can see that with the inner two, the push is going inline with the index knuckle and chest... you're loosing loads of power at the wrist and elbow.

Do it with the other three and you can see the strength go right down your knuckle, along your arm to you elbow.

it's not something I've read about or thought about till I read this thread. It's just how I've developed my punches. over repetition and sub concious trial and error I guess you end up adapting naturally to what is the most effective. Like scrap says, touch and feel ;)

this probably works better if you stand like you're gonna punch a wall and dummy it that way.

Von that actually makes a lot of sense. Adam keep thinking cc to both makes sense to me.

Throwing it vertically works if your arm is parallel with your shoulder but it's different if you're dealing with a significantly taller opponent.

I like hitting with the 3 outer knuckles because the wrist is straight even if your fist is horizontal or vertical. I've heard that Dempsey and Archie Moore refered to the middle knuckles (middle and ring) as the aiming knuckles.

Although the wrist should remain straight with all the punches, I think a slight twist at the forearm is necessary in protecting the thumb.