Hook Punch
A hook punch is generally suitable when your opponent is close. Rather than punching straight ahead, you bend your elbow and punch around your opponent’s defense, aiming at the side of his face or body. Body movement is extremely important when executing a hook punch.
Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.
Send
your left fist
forward, bringing your
elbow up so that
your forearm is
parallel to the
floor. The
elbow should remain
bent. As
your hand travels
to the
target, the
meaty part (the
pinky end of the fist)
should remain
down. Rotate your
left shoulder and
hip forward and
inward, adding power in
the direction of
the punch. Make
contact with your
first two knuckles
against the
side of your opponent’s
jaw or body. Pivoting
the left (front)
foot will
add power to a
left (or forward) hook
punch.
Recoil. The
fastest way
to recover from
the hook
punch is
to simply drop
your elbow down. This
brings your
hand up into a
guard position. Then
rotate your
body back into a
normal fighting
stance.
Tips:
For beginners, we
emphasize punching
with the pinky
down to protect
the head.
Once you
have practiced,
you can rotate
your fist so that
the palm faces
down.
Uppercut Punch
An uppercut can be thought of as a hook punch at a different angle. Whereas the body rotates inward in the direction of the hook punch, the uppercut punch rotates the body upward.
Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.
Bend
slightly at the
waist (contracting
your abs) and
knees. This will
drop your center
a bit below the target.
The amount
of bend can be
very slight, depending
on the height
of your opponent.
The meaty part of
your fist faces outward
(toward your opponent’s
body).
Punch
out and upward,
rotating your
left shoulder inward
and upward. Keep your
elbow close to your
body at all times. Do
not drop your
hand down to your
waist—this would expose
you to a
counterpunch. As
your punch
rises toward the
target, drive your
legs upward as
well, adding power. Just
before contact, rotate
your fist so that
your palm faces
back toward you, which
adds torque to
the punch.
Recoil. The uppercut should punch through the target, then pull back down in a piston-like motion.
Tips:
Use your
legs to
generate power. Don’t
forget you can
make a right
uppercut as well.
Left/Right/Left Hook
This sequence is a rapid combination of left straight punch, right straight punch, and left hook. The attack changes angles, and possibly heights.
Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.
Throw
a left straight punch.
Be sure your
left hand comes
back to your
face as it
recoils (don’t let it
recoil low in preparation
for the
hook).
As
that punch recoils,
send a right
straight punch, rotating
your hips
for power but
not changing your
stance.
As that
punch recoils, send
a left hook, turning
in with your
left hip and
shoulder
Recoil, returning to fighting stance.
Tips:
The rhythm
of the punches
should be the
same. Avoid a
pause between the
right punch
and the
hook. The
punches should overlap
(i.e., begin the right
punch as the
left recoils, not
after).
Your partner should bring the focus mitt in to about the center of his chest when holding for the hook punch, and tilt the fingers outward slightly, creating a safe angle for your punch.