Become Fighter
Check hook against the rush: Boxing guide
Stop an opponent who charges in, and turn them off their line.
A fighter who charges forward with their head down is hard to stop with straight punches alone. The check hook solves this. You throw a lead hook as they come in, then pivot away so their momentum carries them past you.
The hook is not meant to knock them out. It stops their rush and turns them. The pivot afterwards is the part that makes it safe, because it takes you out of the line they were charging down.
Key points
- Throw the lead hook as they step in. It needs to be short and tight.
- Pivot on the lead foot immediately after contact, turning your rear leg out and round.
- Keep the rear hand up to protect you if they swing back.
- Finish the pivot in a balanced stance facing them again from the side.
- Do not use it when they are standing still. It exists for the rush.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Standing still after the hook. The pivot is part of the technique. Without it, the rush hits you.
- Swinging a wide hook. A check hook is short. A wide one telegraphs and leaves you open.
- Dropping the rear hand. Keep the rear hand up. The opponent may swing back as they pass.
Combinations that use it
Related techniques
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Counter punching module of Boxing fundamentals.
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More from Counter punching
- Slip and counter: Boxing guide
- Catch and return: Boxing guide
- Pull counter: Boxing guide
- Reading the jab: Boxing guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.