In tonight’s class we covered the hook punch. A simple technique often taught in the first striking lesson a student has. But which version?
Now in my 20 years of learning martial arts, I have come across a variety of ways to throw the humble hook punch and have found that even the top, highly effective strikers disagree on the fundamental principles!
After much experimentation and mind changing over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two fundamental variations that are useful in different circumstances and as is often the case, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do it. Just pros and cons for each.
Number one method:
- Thumb pointing up so knuckles are vertical
- Fist follows a flat horizontal path describing a teardrop shape from your chin, out to side of target chin, circle into target and return to base
- Elbow stays on same level as fist throughout
- Head stays fairly static with twist coming from shoulders
Now this style of punch has the pros of being tighter and as it does not involve much shifting of balance, the followup strikes come quickly. Also the angle of striking means that if it lands on target of the end of chin, it will easily lever the opponents head in a twisting motion increasing chance of a KO.
On the downside, the power is not so great as the full bodyweight is not behind it and there is not the same whipping power as the second method.
Number two method:
- Thumb facing towards you with the knuckles on a horizontal place.
- A full body movement -foot, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and finally the fist giving powerful waveform whipping motion
- Elbow comes up above the fist and drives the fist down at an angle ‘digging’ into the target with the full body weight dropping into it
- Bodyweight and head move to opposite side of target assisting the fist to dig through
This method generates far more more by combining full body mechanics to generate power and also by allowing the fist to move in a more anatomically natural way. It also makes use of gravity by dropping and digging into target.
Although a fast punch still, as the full body moves to the side, followup is slower as the full body needs to shift back. Balance is compromised slightly by losing posture.
I like both ways in different circs. Method one is great to use in sharp and tight combinations against a switched on striker who is likely to fire back accurate counters.
Method two is more of a finishing punch against a dazed opponent or one whose striking is not a big a threat and is unlikely to through an effective counter.
In conclusion, I would say become comfortable using both methods and then use them appropriately!
by Morgan Nunns of Freefighters MMA
