Hooks and Footwork

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:10pm

My coach has been showing me a way to get more power out of my hook by bringing my back foot up almost (but not quite) even with my lead foot. As you bring the back foot up you turn at the waist a little to give you more leverage, and as you throw it you shift all your weight from your lead to your back leg. I'm not sure if I'm describing it properly, but unfortunately I don't have pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about. When thrown this way the punch has the potential to end the fight, but it's a lot more difficult to set up. You have to be very close to your opponent, and the timing necessary to step in and bring your rear foot up before throwing the punch is tricky. So far I love the amount of power I can generate by throwing it this way, but I'm still a long way from being able to set it up and land it on an opponent. Does anyone else throw hooks this way, and if so how do you set them up?

**Kintanon** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:16pm

That sounds like "sitting" down into the hook the same way you would a cross.

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:19pm

I do lower my center of gravity when I go to the body with it- which I love doing because I think if I landed it well I could hit the guy hard enough to make him piss blood:bully:

**Kintanon** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:22pm

Do you end up with your fist in tighter towards your body when you throw it that way? Almost 90 degrees at the elbow? Also, are you throwing a lead hook or rear hook?

**From Bell2Bell** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:27pm

It's a lead (left in my case) hook, the elbow is bent at a right angle, and my coach wants me to strike with my knuckles verticle. That's something new for me because I'm much more comfortable punching with my knuckles horizontal.

**SpringHeeledJack** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 4:42pm

Believe me, the knuckles vertical is much better. My hand now has five pins, a plate, and a screw in it due to horizontal knuckles.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 6:11pm

Originally Posted by From Bell2Bell

My coach has been showing me a way to get more power out of my hook by bringing my back foot up almost (but not quite) even with my lead foot. As you bring the back foot up you turn at the waist a little to give you more leverage, and as you throw it you shift all your weight from your lead to your back leg. I'm not sure if I'm describing it properly, but unfortunately I don't have pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about. When thrown this way the punch has the potential to end the fight, but it's a lot more difficult to set up. You have to be very close to your opponent, and the timing necessary to step in and bring your rear foot up before throwing the punch is tricky. So far I love the amount of power I can generate by throwing it this way, but I'm still a long way from being able to set it up and land it on an opponent. Does anyone else throw hooks this way, and if so how do you set them up?

So you're talking about a sort of last second stance change to give more room for your hooks to generate momentum? You'll have to show me the technique exactly so I can really grok it. I guess I sort of accidentally threw a couple hooks like this at one of my fights at the WAKO tournament and while they felt strong I don't think I was able to get as much drive through as I get with the standard pivoted hook.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 6:13pm

Originally Posted by debul937

Believe me, the knuckles vertical is much better. My hand now has five pins, a plate, and a screw in it due to horizontal knuckles.

The thing about the horizontal fist is that it's easier to generate power from close range, as you don't have to cock your elbow out as much.

**SpringHeeledJack** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 10:25pm

True, but if you land it wrong, like on your two smaller knuckles, it really sucks. I guess the potential is there with any punch, but that just seems to increase it. I've gotten to the point now that the horizontal-knuckle-punch just doesn't feel right anymore. I feel like I have no power when I throw it that way. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 2/05/2007 10:43pm

I use the horizontal hook a lot when I'm in clinch range and have never really found it to be awkward or put my hand in a dangerous position. Then again, I'm not that good at generating power with my hooks from that range so there ya go.