How to throw a hook - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

gazbrook · 05-28-2007, 05:03 PM

There seems to be some confusion (maybe it's just me) on how to throw a hook.

I prefer to throw a hook with the palm of my hand facing inwards. Some people say that its should be thrown with the palm facing down,similar hand position to a jab or a straight right.

I have tried the other way,but it hurts my wrist like hell and just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's just because I have punched this way for 28 years.

What are your opinions?

Daniel · 05-28-2007, 05:28 PM

Strangely enough, I throw right hooks with my palm facing inward, and left hooks with the palm facing down from far range and inward from close range.

Peniel · 05-28-2007, 07:33 PM

Two different hooks different applications.
The application is determined by the angle of attack. Varying degrees of upward attack, downward attack( like to the lower torso),tightness of the hook ( large crescent or tight crescent). The wrist is more stable with the fist parallel with the upper arm regardless of your wrist strength.
To hook with the fist rotated outward takes a great amount of skill and accuracy. The elbow must extend more from the body to achieve correct form. If not it becomes more of a slap rather than a hook. The hook with the fist rotated out is not as smooth a motion. It is more closely a V movement rather than a crescent movement.
This is difficulty to elaborate in text.
Both are correct but are frequently used incorrectly.

Ring_Raider_07 · 05-28-2007, 08:08 PM

I throw it w/ my palm kind of inward. But, I only throw tight hooks and my striking isn't the best in the world...

Bonanza Andress · 05-29-2007, 04:22 PM

i mix it up all different angles but always throw with power i hate people who throw a puny jab out there

yaiir · 05-29-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonanza Andress

i mix it up all different angles but always throw with power i hate people who throw a puny jab out there

Jab is important to set up other shots and to keep your opponent away.

You cant go out throwing bombs all the time...

Bonanza Andress · 05-29-2007, 04:42 PM

i understand that but they throw puny jabs when i throw jabs i still put as much power possible behind them i dont just stretch my arm out there

Peniel · 05-30-2007, 09:11 AM

No better way to land a good body hook than to allow your opponent to think he can take all you have to offer.
I send several a moderate power. Just enough to sting but not enough to really back them up.
Wait for an agressive commitment, they will expect you to land that hook but they won't be expecting your full power.
I've ended a lot of fights this way from not so experienced fighters and have took the wind out of the sails from some pretty good fighters, fighters who should have known better.

sitnspin · 05-30-2007, 09:23 AM

It's a common Cuban style to start your hook with the thumb at the top and turn it inward and down just as it lands. They believe it adds more torque and momentum. The better of my two coaches never bought it, but he acknowledged how successful the Cubans are in international competition, "So they must be doing something right." I was taught to imagine you're holding a pitcher of beer in your hand. You don't want to spill it as your smashing it into your opponent's head.

In other words, you're not rotating your hand at all as you're bringing it around. I'm obviously not suggesting it's the only way -- just how I learned it and I pretty much stuck to it. That same coach was also big on longer hooks -- using them to reach targets further away than would normally be expected, like the kidneys.

IrishMike · 05-30-2007, 09:31 AM

I find the hook with palm down has a slightly longer range. We are told to try and land it with the knuckles of your index and middle finger

Peniel · 05-30-2007, 09:52 AM

I think what you are describing about the Cubans S&S, is similar to what I was saying.
When the hook begins, the elbow is close to the body. As it progresses, the elbow moves away from the body, rotating the palm downward.
I think this is a very solid technique. Solid power and less expenditure of energy. Thats whats we are all looking for. Greater transfer of power with less expenditure of energy.

Avenue_Brawler · 06-06-2007, 01:50 PM

I prefer to throw hooks with my left hand, when I aim for the head I throw it with the palm facing downward

when I throw hooks to the body, or throw a shovel-hook its with the palm facing me (sideways)

either way my hips get into it as do my legs.

Hope that helps.

Avenue_Brawler · 06-06-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonanza Andress

i mix it up all different angles but always throw with power i hate people who throw a puny jab out there

You must have never heard of a stiff jab. Not all jabs are "puny"

gazbrook · 06-06-2007, 02:46 PM

My instructor has a good jab on him. It really snaps my head back when he connects properley. Thanks for the advice/opinions guys. I will keep on trying to vary the way I throw hooks. This will mean in a real fight situation, I will be more comfortable in using different techniques. It will in turn , make my hooks harder to defend against.

Avenue_Brawler · 06-06-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazbrook

My instructor has a good jab on him. It really snaps my head back when he connects properley. Thanks for the advice/opinions guys. I will keep on trying to vary the way I throw hooks. This will mean in a real fight situation, I will be more comfortable in using different techniques. It will in turn , make my hooks harder to defend against.

I hear that... back when my uncle taught me boxing, the bastard had the meanest jab ever, it'd snap my head back, and before my head came back there was another waiting to greet me.

another time I got caught with the jab was when I sparred with my friend while I was in the navy, he got upset at how I smothered him up close with hooks and plenty of body pounding till he finnaly took a step back and irritatingly said ""***** BACK UP!!" and threw prolly the stiffest jab I think I've ever been hit with. I'm quite heavier then the guy, and I even had my head lowered to reduce impact but the shot caught me totally off guard and I even had to re-balance myself afterward.

Case in point: DO NOT SLEEP ON THE JAB.

Drewpy · 06-22-2007, 04:51 PM

i was told to always throw a hook with the palm facin inwards because if its facing down then theres a big chance (if yu were wearin mma gloves) that yu will end up connecting the punch with your last 2 fingers and it good damage your hand BUT if yu palm is facing inwards then when yu connect the punch it hits with all four knuckles

I was told to always try hit your oppenent with mainly the first 2 knuckles, but obviously yu will clip the others

Kaledonia · 06-23-2007, 09:22 AM

I throw hooks by striking a jab about 20 degrees off target to the guys head, sliding my body in with the jab, I then whip my hips around simulatanously as i whip my hook in from the elbow, palms down to strike swiftly with the index knuckle (and usualy the finger as well, or if its a really bad night the thumb), bring the striking hand in so it faces my other arms shoulder, slide back out and resume stance.

If am boxing against the bags, i usally hook typical boxing style by comming in, whipping the whole arm out and in bringin it across the target, hitting with palms facing in.

Wilko · 07-01-2007, 11:27 PM

I've always thrown hooks with my palm facing towards me. I asked my trainer what's the proper way to do it and he said it doesn't matter and to do it the way it feels comfortable.

XxGnPxX · 07-30-2007, 11:27 AM

Just do whatever feels right to you man. look like chuck keeps his palm facing in like you in this video

gazbrook · 07-31-2007, 10:51 AM

If Chuck punches that way, it's good enough for me :-)