Hook: atttack and defence

 

Hook is a sort of roundabout punch.

Its PURPOSE?  Since the hand movement is curved and if you are smart you punch explosively at the last minute, then it can confuse your opponent. Importantly, if you opponent is also a kickboxing expert, his hand is already in a defensive position to ward off your attack: a hook extends its reach beyond his defence. So you can appreciate how important the hook can be in wearing the target down. 

Also, like a knee kick or elbow punch, in a hook, you throw it at SHORT RANGE. Why? Again, because you are close to your target, his guard is up and you are throwing him off guard by hitting him from close quarters, but to give yourself the distance you curve your hand... 

In a hook (not so clear in the image where my student is demonstrating) your body takes the power through the ankle,the hip right up to the shoulder. You swivel accordingly. Remember how deep you swivel will depend on whether you are using your lead hand or the rear hand. Below you see me show you how to throw a hook. The other hand remains in guard position. And after throwing your hook your attacking hand must immediately fall back into the guard position. Tomorrow will upload the defending move in a hook. You must practice both steps diligently. The hook, the way we are showing it here, is aimed to hit that spot on the skull just over the ear. Can disorient the target thoroughly. To parry that obviously your hand (the defender's) must be strong enough to ward it off... that comes only with regular training and conditioning. Partner practice becomes crucial in such defence...