Punching - elbow in or out?

[JerryLove]

Which way is easier to push a car?

 

Six of one, a half-dozen of the other I suppose. As pointed out, the "down" position menas that your elbows protect your body more. I use either depending on which hit is coming out and what angle of attack I'm after.

[Goju1]

Punching and bench-pressing are 2 different activities recruiting 2 different types of muscle fibers, and for all the afore mentioned reasons the fists should be kept close in - the pecs are not as important to pucnhing as you might think. A punch from the outside is much easier to block, also. If you notice, a good boxer will also keep their hands in close to the head.