Quote Originally Posted by greynotsoold
I have always, well, most always, tried to land my jab with my thumb towards the floor. Land the hook with my thumb towards the sky. I am familiar with Ned Beaumont's books and, in my opinion, you are asking for problems by following him. That's what happened to me.
If you extend your arm, fist closed, you'll see that the 'line' goes from your index knuckle straight up your arm. Those outside knuckles...pain, folks. Lots of pain when they get sprung. Look at the hands of any boxer or real martial artist and you'll notice the same thing: the index and middle knuckles are huge and typically permanently bruised while the outside two are pushed up to about their wrist.
You throw that left hook and try to land it with your palm down and you WILL screw up your hands and your wrist. When I was in Phoenix I worked with a dozen guys from this particular gym that taught that, landing the hook with the palm down. He said it gave you more power. Really? Everyone of those guys winced when he threw a hook. It is guaranteed to mess up your wrist and your knockles.
Beaumont just pretty much agrees wth what DEMPSEY says though...the jab vertical works for me anyway, it definatley gives me more snap/power. The hooks im not convinced on, it just feels awkward unless im at extremely colse range.