In order to become a more well rounded puncher you need to learn How To Throw A Lead Hook. A hook is known as a power punch that if done correctly can knock out your opponent.

In this article you’ll learn how to throw a lead hook with perfect form, and how to throw power behind it in order to knock out your opponent.

 

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Throw A Hook With Perfect Form

When learning how to throw a lead hook it’s best to learn the form your arm. Let’s start with the right hook. When throwing a hook you have to make sure your rotate your torso and angle your arm correctly. This type of punch is to be aimed anywhere on the side of your opponent. Whether it be the temple, side of the face (cheeks), rib cage etc.

In the orthodox stance you want to throw a punch with your arm bent at a 90 degree angle. In other words, you’re throwing a horizontal punch towards your opponent. When throwing the hook be sure to torque (rotate) your torso and shoulder, and pivot your lead foot slightly in order to give the punch optimum power.

Throwing A Short Hook

When throwing a short hook you have to consider the distance between you and your opponent. If your opponent is close within two to three feet from you, then the short hook can be used.

Throwing A Long Hook

When executing the long hook you are going to go through the same motions as the short hook, the only difference is you’ll have to extent your arm out a bit.

You’ll also have to extend your body forward a bit because your opponent won’t be in direct reach.

Throwing the long hook comes with a bit of a drawback, and that is you’ll throw it with less power than a short hook because your opponent is a bit further, and you’ll be rotating your shoulder and hips a lot less. But depending on how good you land it, you can still knock someone out with it.

 

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How To Throw A Lead Hook

 

Hand Positioning Of The Hook

When throwing a hook you have two options for the position of your fist. You can have your fist with your palm pointed towards you, or you can have your palm facing the ground.

To be honest there is no right way to do it, it’s just a matter of preference. Some fight it better to throw the hook with their palm face down, while others prefer their palm to be faced towards them

They’ll even give one or two reasons why they prefer one way over the other. The truth is it all boils down to preference and it’s okay to throw the hook whichever way you feel comfortable with.

 

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How To Throw A Lead Hook | 4 Variations

 

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Set Up Straight Or Cross

You can also use the lead hook as a way to set up a straight or cross. This all depends on the positioning of you and your opponent. If you miss with that punch of your free hand, then your opponent can easily counter with a punch of his own.

In fighting you have to strategize and take calculated risks in order to prevail. If you blindly throw a hook and then follow up just because it’s instinct, you’ll end up in a world of hurt.

Wild fighting can lead to you getting knocked out. Move strategic at all times, just like a game of chest. Remember, boxing is called the sweet science, so think before you move.

 

How To Throw The Right & Left Hooks

 

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Common Mistakes When Throwing The Hook

• Your elbow is too low. When you throw a hook your forearm is to be parallel to the ground. You are throwing a vertical arc. When you throw a hook be sure that your elbow is not too low. This will decrease the power of the punch, making the hook ineffective.
• Not rotating your hip, torso, shoulder. Forgetting to rotate your hip and shoulder will make your hook less powerful. Generating that kinetic energy through torque is important in order to knock your opponent out.
• Throwing the hook too wide. When you throw a wide punch your opponent can telegraph that and counter you. When throwing a jab keep it nice and tight, and not wide.
• Reaching back more than you need to. When throwing a job some people think that winding up their punch from behind them will give it more power. That’s not true. The power of a hook comes from the rotation of your hips/torso/shoulder. Winding up a punch is telegraphing it and your opponent defend and counter it with a punch.
• Throwing the hook out of range. I’ve seen many beginners throw the hook out of range. Again, this type of move can be capitalized on by your opponent and he can really throw a counter punch to you that can be devastating. Hooks are to be nice and tight, thrown when your opponent is in striking range.
• Dropping guard from the other hand. Often times you see both amateur and professional fighters execute a hook while dropping the opposite hand that’s guarding their face. Yes, you’ll even see pro fighters get too much into the moment and do this. This will leave your head wide open to get hit, so be careful
• Punching straight through. The hook has a starting and ending point. You don’t want to punch the hook all the way through crossing your body. You will be susceptible to punches. Instead stop the hook when it reaches your centerline. Or in other words where it’s aligned to your nose.

 

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Common Mistakes When Throwing A Left Hook

 

In conclusion the hook is an incredible punch to use to knock out your opponent. If it doesn’t knock him out it will at least shake him up, and leave him discombobulated enough for you to throw a series of follow up punches.

When throwing a hook remember to use proper technique and form. Always remember to rotate the half of your body that’s throwing the lead hook. Never wind up or over extend your hook, because it can lead to a counter punch from your opponent. Always finish the hook at the centerline of your body, and use it when your opponent is in striking distance.

 

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