Many coaches teach you to twist the front foot when you throw the hook. I do not. In this video lesson I explain why. It is for boxers, martial artists and anyone who wants a faster, safer hook.

I do not expect you to take my word for this. All I ask is that you try both ways and see which one is faster, easier to double or treble up, more powerful, more balanced, keeps you safer and keeps you in the best position to defend or attack. The answer will be obvious.

The Problem With Twisting the Foot

When you pivot hard on the front foot, the body turns a long way and keeps going. That feels powerful, but it causes problems:

  • You end up turned away from your opponent and need time to come back
  • Throwing a second or third hook quickly becomes awkward
  • Your balance shifts onto a foot that is now pointing the wrong way
  • Your guard and position are harder to keep

In a fight, that extra time is exactly when you get hit.

Where the Hook's Power Really Comes From

The hook gets its power from the hips and the body turning, not from spinning the foot. The legs drive, the hips rotate, and the arm stays fairly fixed at the elbow so it carries the body's weight into the target. You can get that hip rotation without screwing the front foot into the floor.

Keeping the foot planted gives you a stable base. You hit, and you are still square enough to throw again, slip, or step. That is why doubling and trebling the hook becomes so much easier.

Common Mistakes

When people first try it this way, they often make one of these mistakes:

  • Swinging with the arm because the foot is not turning, rather than turning the hips
  • Letting the elbow drop so the punch becomes a wide swing
  • Dropping the rear hand away from the face
  • Leaning over the front leg and losing balance

Keep the hips doing the work, the elbow up and the other hand home.

How to Practise

Go to the heavy bag. Throw ten hooks twisting the foot, then ten with the foot planted. Then throw double and treble hooks both ways. Pay attention to speed, how heavy the shots feel and how balanced you are at the end. Then try it on the pads with a coach calling combinations. Be honest with yourself about which works better.

Take It Further

The hook and every other punch are built step by step in the Learn To Box Online Course. If you prefer DVDs, The Boxing Series covers the punches in detail.