Boxing Training – The Wrong Way to Hook!

In both my boxing training videos and in the boxing gym, I coach 3 basic ways of throwing a hook – short range, mid range and long range.

In this boxing training video I want to deal with what I think is some uninformed thinking around the way in the hook should be thrown.

This may actually go against the advice issued in some other online boxing training videos, but I’ll leave it up to you as to the way you should progress.

When you throw a hook, either a left hook or right hook, there needs to be some clarity around whether to deliver the hook with your palm facing inwards (towards you) or downwards (towards the ground). Whilst some may suggest that this is a matter of personal preference, I disagree.

Depending upon where your target (your opponent’s head or the heavy bag) is in relation to you, the way you deliver your hook is a vital consideration.

If your opponent is exactly the same distance from you as the length of your extended upper-arm, this would be described as ‘mid-range’, then you may get away with delivering a palm-in hook rather palm-down (the latter being the way I would ALWAYS coach).

In boxing competition, if your opponent is a few inches further away than the length if your upper arm and you deliver a palm-in hook then you run the risk of being issued a warning by the referee for incorrect punching.

If the opponent is a few inches closer to you and you use palm in but don’t drop your elbow then you lose the integrity of your arm and this results in a negative impact upon the power you can deliver.

So, during your boxing training it is well worth recognising the distinction required in respect of how your hook is thrown.

Any thoughts or questions then post them below.

Cheers

Fran

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