at eye level to protect the other side of your face. If you miss with the palm heel cross, your assailant may try to counterattack on that side (see Fig. 48).
On the same side, tuck in your elbow so that your assailant doesn’t try to hit you in the ribs (see Fig. 49).
Once your arm is fully extended or has made contact, return it immediately to its original position. This will help you protect yourself from a counterpunch. The power in this strike comes from adding the full rotation of your hips and a push off with your rear foot to your natural “strong arm” strength (see Fig. 50). Put together properly, these elements add up to a devastating blow that can easily stop an average-sized assaultive male. I have tested this technique many times with excellent results.
Remember, to make this strike as effective as possible, do not telegraph the strike before the blow is executed (see Fig. 51). Just let the punch travel in a straight line from the ready position to your assailant’s chin, eye, jaw, chest, groin, or wherever you choose to strike. If you can make the strike travel quickly and in a straight line, your attacker won’t have time to tense his muscles to absorb the strike, increasing your chances of stopping him.
The Boxer’s Cross
The boxer’s cross incorporates all of the principles of the palm heel cross, except that you use your fist to make the strike (see Fig. 52).
Remember to keep your chin tucked under your shoulder, turn with your waist into the punch, and keep the opposite hand at eye level with your elbow tucked in. Push off with your rear foot as you pivot into the punch (see Fig. 53).
Since you are striking with your fist, it’s important to remember to make the fist correctly—holding the wrist flat and straight at the moment of impact to both increase your power and prevent injury (see Fig. 54).
When striking with your fist, the main impact area should be the flat section of the index knuckle and the middle knuckle of your hand (see Fig. 55).
The Hook
The famous (or infamous) left hook is one of the most devastating punches in boxing. Ask any of the opponents of the fabled Joe “the Brown Bomber” Lewis, and they will all tell you that this was his most lethal punch. He could throw it with knockout power from a 6-inch distance. Even the famous Muhammad Ali was knocked down by a left hook when Joe Frazier took Ali’s heavyweight title.
The Palm Heel Hook
This same blow can be transformed into a palm heel strike. We’ll call this a palm heel hook (see Fig. 56).
Start in the defensive boxing stance. Without telegraphing the blow, quickly rotate your front hip and at the same time lift your nongun hand elbow to shoulder level, which will be naturally followed by your nongun hand arm. The striking arm should be parallel to the ground (see Fig. 57).
You will be striking with the heel of your palm, and your fingers should be pointing to the sky. You should also pivot on the ball of the foot of your nongun leg so that you can throw the force of your body’s weight into the punch (see Fig. 58). Again, don’t telegraph the strike before you deliver it.
The palm heel strike must be practiced repeatedly because it is not as natural for most people as a jab or a cross. It takes time to make the proper body mechanics feel natural and the strike effective. It’s well worth the effort, though. I have used this strike in the field and in competition with excellent results.
The best way to practice this strike is to hit a heavy bag from a short distance at least one hundred times a session (see Fig. 59). The more you practice this strike, the more power you’ll be able to apply to your target.
The Boxing Hook
The boxing hook is executed in the same manner as the palm heel hook. The only big difference is the hand position at the end of the strike (see Fig. 60).
Start in the defensive boxing stance. Quickly rotate your front hip. At the same time, lift your elbow to your shoulder level. Your arm will naturally follow your elbow and your arm will be parallel to the ground. This time you will be striking with your fist. Your fist should be parallel to the ground, and your wrist should be flat and in line with your fist (see Fig. 61).
You should also pivot on the ball of your front foot—as you did in the palm heel hook—to get your full body weight into the punch. Once the punch is executed, quickly return to the defensive boxing stance.
Finally,
