THE HOOK
“The hook is usually utilized in close quarters fighting. Depending on how you set up this punch, you can pull off a lead hook. To properly throw the hook, you must utilize your hips, shoulders, and a slight turn of the front foot. You have to twist your hips into the punch. The hip rotates with your stomach, shoulders, with power starting with weight on the lead foot or weight on the back foot if you’re throwing a right hook (from the conventional stance), along with your elbow at the same height of your chin. Some fighters rotate their fist right before impact. The hook is used mostly with inside fighting. But with speed and proper set up, the hook can be used from the outside as well”
The hook is a powerful punch in boxing that can be very effective when used correctly. As you mentioned, the key to throwing a good hook is to utilize your hips, shoulders, and footwork. By twisting your hips into the punch, you can generate a lot of power and transfer it into your opponent.
It’s also important to keep your elbow at the same height as your chin to protect your face and maintain good form throughout the punch. Some fighters rotate their fist right before impact to add additional power to the punch.
While the hook is typically used in close quarters fighting, it can also be effective from the outside with proper speed and setup. It’s important to remember that the hook is a risky punch to throw if it’s not set up correctly, as it can leave you open to counterattacks from your opponent.
SETTING UP THE HOOK
“Setting up the hook can be done in different ways. You can set the hook up for a head shot, or you can set it up for a body shot.
One of the simple ways to set the hook up for a head shot would be to mix it into one of your punch combinations like the jab, right , left hook for example.
To get a higher landing percentage I would mix the punch combination with body shots and then come up top with the hook. Jab, right hand to the body, left hook to the head (assuming if your fighting orthodox). Every fighter has his own favorite combinations that he or she prefers to use but the concept
is basically the same.
Mixing the body shots to set up the hook is done to keep your opponent guessing, and to try to draw his guard down just enough to slip the hook in.
Another way to set up a power hook is to utilize feints. That small deceptive movement can freeze your opponent, slowing his reaction time and giving you a small window of opportunity to land that hook, in the case of using the lead hook.
Other options: feint the jab, hook. Feint the right cross, hook. Feint a small move to your opponent’s body then up top with the hook, ect..
Every fighter is his own artist. They have to figure out what it is they like and what works for them”
This is absolutely right. Setting up the hook properly is crucial for its success in a fight. Mixing the punch combination with body shots is a great way to set up the hook for a head shot. By mixing up your punches and targeting your opponent’s body, you can create openings for the hook to land effectively.
Feints are also an effective way to set up the hook for a power shot. By faking a punch, you can trick your opponent into lowering their guard or moving in a certain direction, which can create an opening for the hook to land with greater force. However, it’s important to use feints sparingly and strategically, as overuse can make them predictable and less effective.
Another way to set up the hook is to use footwork to create angles and openings for the punch. By moving in and out and side to side, you can create opportunities to land the hook on your opponent from unexpected angles.
Overall, setting up the hook requires a combination of technique, strategy, and timing. With practice and experience, you can learn to effectively set up the hook and use it as a powerful weapon in your arsenal.
THE UPPERCUT
“The uppercut is usually utilized in the inside fighting game also. Its power comes from the stomach, waist, shoulders, and legs with the power starting from the ground. It is a power punch. Usually the uppercut is used inside with the hook. For example stepping inside with the jab followed with the right (assuming your fighting orthodox) which puts you in the perfect position to twist your hips and shoulders to land a power uppercut. Advanced boxers can lead with the uppercut with good timing and proper set up by using feints. Freezing your opponent by feints and lengthening his reaction time along with speed, could pull off the lead uppercut”
You are correct, the uppercut is a powerful punch that can be very effective in inside fighting. As you mentioned, the power of the uppercut comes from the stomach, waist, shoulders, and legs, with the power starting from the ground. This punch is often used in combination with the hook, as they work well together in close quarters.
To set up the uppercut, one effective technique is to step inside with the jab followed by the right (assuming orthodox stance), which puts you in the perfect position to twist your hips and shoulders to land a power uppercut. This combination is often used to surprise opponents and catch them off-guard.
Advanced boxers can also use feints to set up the uppercut. By faking a punch or movement, you can freeze your opponent and lengthen their reaction time, giving you an opportunity to land the lead uppercut with good timing and speed.
It’s important to note that the uppercut can be a risky punch if not used correctly, as it can leave you open to counterattacks from your opponent if you miss or if they dodge the punch. Therefore, it’s important to practice and master the technique.
The TRU Art Of Boxing 