Don't turn the fist over at close range

Don't turn the fist over at close range: how to do it

1. At close range, where your arm doesn't fully extend, throw the punch without twisting your fist.
2. Don't add a twist of the arm. Land it by pushing through with your body's rotation.
3. When the distance opens and you punch with your arm extended, turn your fist over just before impact so the back of your hand faces up.

Don't turn the fist over at close range: key points

• If you turn your fist over at close range, your twisting hand collides and the punch gets cramped. Not turning it also sends the power straight through.
• At long range it's the opposite. If you extend without turning it, the striking surface is off and you're more likely to hurt your fist.
• Whether you turn it or not is decided by the distance you're punching from.

Don't turn the fist over at close range: common mistakes

• Turning your fist over at close range the same way you do at long range. Your hands collide, the punch gets jammed and loses power.
• Carrying the close-range habit to long range and not turning the fist. The striking surface is off and you're more likely to hurt your fist.

Don't turn the fist over at close range: how to practice

• In shadowboxing, turn your fist over at the distance where your arm fully extends, and don't turn it at the close distance where you punch with your elbow bent.
• Get close to the heavy bag and throw short punches without turning your fist. Check after every punch that your wrist hasn't twisted.
• Take one step back from the heavy bag, throw punches with your arm extended, and land with your fist turned over. Alternate with the close-range punches.

Related techniques

• Choose your punches by range
  Pick by range
• Short right hook to right body uppercut
  46b
• Short right body uppercut
  6b
• On the inside, push with your legs, not your arms
  Push with legs
• Keep breathing at close range
  Breathe
• Know your range
  Your range