1 minute read
Coach Samantha
How to: Throw a Hook
Last month, we looked at how to throw a cross. This month, let’s take a look at the hook.
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A quick review: Why does technique matter? Clean technique ensures safety; improper positioning can be damaging as it can led to hurt joints or pulled muscles. Technique is also the foundation for speed and power. In order to have a strong and quick punch, you must also have great technique.
The following steps will assist you in perfecting your hook: punches, first begin in your guarding stance - hands up protecting your face, with elbows tucked in by your ribs (fig. 1). Now, unlike the previous punches, the hook can be thrown off either side. Depending on the combo, the hook will come off the lead or rear side.
Step Two (Fig. 2 & Fig. 3): hips (fig. 4). If our right hand is throwing the hook, we will twist onto the ball of our right foot, and if our left hand throws the hook, we will be on the ball of our left foot. As we twist, we also make contact on the side of the bag.
To throw a hook, we are going to drop the hand that is throwing the punch slightly from our guard. Be careful not to wind upthat is strictly for the movies! While dropping your hand, begin positioning your hand. Now, there are two options: you can have your thumb up (fig. 2) or palm down (fig. 3). Either position is acceptable. The most important aspect is that our knuckles make contact with the heavy bag, NOT our palm.
Step Four (Fig. 5):
To complete the technique, you want to pull your hook back to its place in your guarding position and return your feet back to their original position (fig. 4).
The most important thing to remember, with any technique, is that form is the most important aspectmore important than speed and power.
Once you have the technique, then we will add the speed and power.
Step One (Fig. 1):
Just as with our previous
Step Three (Fig. 4):
Next, we want to twist our
Practice the hook at home or even on the bag before your next class. If you ever want to go over the hook or any other technique, ask any coach in the club.
Hands up in front of your face.
As you extend your arm, twist onto the ball of your foot, while turning your hips.
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Click on the link to the left for a video demonstration of the cross.
Return to original guarding stance - hand to cheek and heel “flat.”
