Become Fighter
How to throw a hook
A curved punch thrown with the elbow bent, powered by the turn of the body.
A hook travels in an arc and hits from the side. The arm stays bent at about ninety degrees, and the power comes from turning the hips and shoulders, not from swinging the arm.
You can throw it with the lead hand or the rear hand. The lead hook is quicker. The rear hook is heavier and takes more rotation. Start slow and keep your balance.
Key points
- Keep the elbow bent at about ninety degrees and level with the fist.
- Pivot on the ball of the foot on the same side as the punching hand.
- Turn the hips first, then the shoulders, then let the arm follow.
- Keep the other hand on your cheek.
- Stop the punch in front of you. Do not spin past it.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Swinging the arm wide like a haymaker. Keep the elbow bent and the fist close. Power comes from the hips.
- Dropping the elbow below the fist. Raise the elbow until it is level with the fist throughout the arc.
- Dropping the other hand. Press it to your cheek on every hook. It protects you if the punch misses.
- Spinning past the target and losing balance. Stop the turn once the fist is in front of you. Stay on balance and return to guard.
Combinations that use it
- 1-2-3: Jab, Cross, Lead hook
- 3-2: Lead hook, Cross
- 1-4: Jab, Rear hook
- kb-hook-body-kick: Lead hook, Body kick
- mt-3-rear-elbow: Lead hook, Rear elbow
- 1-2-3-2: Jab, Cross, Lead hook, Cross
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 Building your boxing module of Boxing fundamentals.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Building your boxing
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.