Boxing Training - Tips For the Left Hook , Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:43 PM, in

As far as boxing training tips go, it should be noted that boxing is not a difficult sport to learn or to coach. It is a matter, for the pupil, of mastering a few fundamental punches and blocks; for the coach, of being able to teach the necessary technique in these punches. A left jab and a right cross, interspersed with a few left hooks, comprise the necessary repertoire. A boxer correctly executing these three punches will win over the "fancy Dan" every time.
The Left Hook
The left hook is the most difficult of the punches to master, and consequently a bit more difficult to teach. But once accomplished, it pays dividends. As with the jab and cross, there are a few "musts" to be followed in delivering a proper left hook. Let us examine the steps to be followed.
Now, consider this for your boxing training tips: at the start of the hook the feet are in the regular on-guard position.




That is, the boxer is on the ball of the left or front foot, and on the toe of the back or right foot. At the finish, this is reversed. The boxer is on the toe of the front foot, and on the ball of the back foot. Both toes at the finish twist to the right, and the left knee is bent.
This is necessary because of the pivot of the body to the right when the left hook is thrown. Much of the "kick" behind the left hook is accomplished by this footwork, thus the shift from the toe of the back foot to the toe of the front foot is vitally important. It is good practice for the coach to have his boys go through this foot shifting over and over again, before teaching the actual punch.
The left hook must begin from the on-guard position for proper deception. The opponent does not know whether to expect a jab, a cross, a feint, or a hook, as long as they all start from the same position.
At the finish of the punch, the left thumb is up, just as it was at the start of the punch.
There is no twist of the fist as in delivering the left jab and cross. This important as boxing training tips go because it is necessary for the proper protection of the hand.
The forearm is rigid from the elbow to the knuckles, and does not bend at the wrist. This makes for greater punching power and prevents sprained wrists. The hook is thrown in a half arc to the opponent's chin, and with a complete follow-through motion for power.
A left hook, thrown properly, has a tremendous "kick" to it. It must be a loose, easy, snappy, punch. Frequently a boxer tries to put too much body behind the punch, thereby making it a push punch. The hook is a loose, arm-propelled punch. The "kick" comes from the looseness of the delivery and the proper pivoting of the feet and body.
Another advantage of a left hook, in addition to the "kick," is the short distance it travels to reach the opponent's chin.




Naturally it is a quicker and easier punch to land than the longer-traveling right cross. The hook moves about a third of the distance and is a more deceptive punch.
As previously stated, the left hook is the most difficult of the punches to master, but I have found that working on the light punching bag is an ideal way to learn this punch.
Consider for your boxing training tips that in addition to left hook practice on the punching bags, the boys may be paired up the same way as when practicing the jabs and crosses to the chin and body. One does the punching and another the blocking, with frequent switching around so that the boys learn both the punch and the block.
Proper practice of the left hook will make for a stronger boxer.

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