How To Hook Punch With Hurricane Power in Boxing, Kickboxing or MMA

Boxing Basics: How To Make Your Hook Punch Hurricane Powerful
by John D. Nottingham Certified Boxing Coach, K3 Kickboxing Phoenix Phoenix USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing


So You Want To Throw a Thundering Hook Boxing Punch...
A good hook punch is an essential tool in your boxing or kickboxing striking arsenal.  The key to any punch, including the boxing or kickboxing hook punch, is the stance.  Powerful strikes are built on a good foundation of mechanics, balance and proper weight shift.


How NOT to Throw a Hook Punch
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Throw-a-Hook-Punch-314102744
Notice the common error of dipping, looping or swooping the hand down away from the jaw-line then into the punch.  Not only does this telegraph the strike, it makes it less efficient and leaves the jaw unprotected for longer than necessary.  While this coach appears to be fit and athletic, his technique could improve significantly with some basic coaching corrections.

Using the arm, shoulder and neck and the proverbial "I'm hitting hard" wanna-be Rocky face for your power in a hook punch is a waste of valuable energy.  You'll know you're probably throwing a good hook when you mostly feel it in your core, the abdominal muscles, lower back and the legs.  Concentrate on the whip of the weight shift and proper alignment of your musculoskeletal structure.

You can't judge a book by it's cover.  This is how to properly throw a hook punch.

How to throw a thundering hook punch by World Champion and Master John Graden.

The great Freddie Roach [Considered one of the greatest boxing trainers alive today.]

"If a good hook misses, the elbow lands." 
-Freddie Roach, coach of Manny Pacquiao

The short hook punch step by step*:

1. The hook punch's power is derived from the ground up so start in a good stance
2. The lead foot pivots 90 degrees to facilitate rotation
3. The weight shifts to the back foot in a whipping motion
4. The short hook hand leaves the chin and goes directly into the angle for punch in the shortest route possible while avoiding dipping, looping or swooping.  
5. Hooking arm is at 90 degrees with the elbow directly in line with the fist
6. Strike through the target by rotating the torso past the point of impact. Aim for a spiral whipping action.  (Note that punching with a boxing glove, MMA glove, bare fist may require you to change the position of the hand to best connect with the optimal striking surface. 
7. Keep your eyes forward and chin tucked in the shoulder
8. Try to pop it with speed rather than kill it with power 
9. Coil like a snake and snap through explosively
10. Return the hand to guard position to protect the chin with the elbow in to protect the body.

 * Note: this is only one type of hook punch.  It has numerous variations.

Kickboxing Basics | Boxing Basics | MMA Basics | iLoveKickboxing.com

My preference is to throw the hook punch with a vertical fist.  This suits me as a martial artist as I do not want to count on having a boxing glove on to prevent damaging my hand.  The horizontal fist is at higher risk for boxers fracture (the breaking of the small bones of the hand).  I also like to practice the strike with an open hand palm to have that as an option that protects the metacarpals.  Striking the skull can be quite destructive to the small bones of the hand.

Whatever method or variation of the hook punch you choose, the important thing to remember is that it should suit your goals, needs and the situation.

  

How To Throw a Good Jab in Boxing or Kickboxing

How To Throw a Good Jab in Boxing or Kickboxing for The Ring, Workouts or MMA
by John D. Nottingham, Certified Boxing & Kickboxing Coach, K3 Kickboxing Phoenix Phoenix Arizona USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing

A good jab is a fundamental for boxing and kickboxing.  In this article, I will share some of the secrets to an effective jab that you can use in the ring or your favorite fat burning workout.

1 | Foundation
The foundation of a jab is your stance.  They key to a good stance is maintaining control of your center of gravity.  The stance is typically shoulder width to shoulder width and a half apart in both length and width.  Knees are bent over the toes to keep you off your heels, fast on the feet, mobile in any direction and pre-loading the muscles of the legs to fire on command.

Your width and length of your stance is best determined by your body style, conditioning and application.  Often you will see boxing stances a bit narrower than MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) or Kickboxing stances.  The Kickboxing or MMA stance tends to be a bit wider to prevent take-downs and to avoid leg kicks.

The power of the punch comes from kinetic linking and a whip like motion derived from a combination of muscle activation sequencing and bone alignment.  Punch from the legs and body - not just the arms.  Integrating the jab with the stance, timing and movement is key to having a great jab punch.

2 |  Relax
Speed comes from relaxation.  Trying to punch too hard activates both antagonistic and antagonistic muscle groups and actually slows you down, wastes energy and is less efficient.  By training to relax and hit clean, rather than hard, the kinetic energy transfer is often higher.

"Lead with speed. Devour with Power." -Boxing Maxim

3 | Engage shoulder
To maximize reach and follow through, extend the lead shoulder into the punch.  This allows the torso to rotate and transfer rotational energy into the force of your jab punch.   Also, tuck your chin in pocket of shoulder to reduce neck rotation, exposing the chin and wasting energy.

4 | Concentrate on targeting
The choice of target and the concentration of force on target are key to getting great results from your jab.  The chin or 'button' as it is called is a classic KO point.  The shock from the punch travels into the neck and base of skull causing a rapid twist or whip action.  In turn the brain stem is stunned, brain displaced in the skull and the result is often a rebooting of the computer (brain).  The base of the ear, K-9 tooth point, side of neck (carotid artery/vagus nerve) and just above and beyond the ear are also key knock out points.

Keep in mind that the jab has many uses including  to:

• Establish and/or maintain range
• Cover your movment
• Set up other shots (punches, kicks etc.)
• Irritate
• Distract
• Disorient
• Obstruct vision
• and disrupt the brain of your opponent.  

It also wears down an opponent and can frustrate them.  One theory is that if your opponent is busy defending your jabs they aren't attacking.

5 | Reaction force
The shorter the amount of time your fist is contacting the target, the more penetrating trauma it can cause.  The snapping back action is called reaction force and is an important physics principle. Work more for speed than trying to hit hard.  You still need to follow through your target but concentrate on the retraction of the limb.
Work to make your jab pop the target like swatting a fly.  Your aim should be to make your jab 'sting' or be strong enough to stop your opponents combination, forward motion, shock the head or set them on their heels.

6 | Drill action rotational force
The drill action on your punch will amplify the intensity of the strike.  It is a rotation of the entire arm - shoulder complex, not simply the wrist.

7 |  Sit on the punch
It is common for beginners to raise up on a punch and nullify much of their power as well as telegraph.  It is better to practice firing the punch in a straight line, the shortest distance between two points, to be efficient.  Keep the feet planted and avoid raising the back leg.  Remember that the jab is often used to set up shots to your stance is crucial for follow up combinations.

8 |  Exhale
Breath out sharply on the punch to augment power transfer from the thoracic cavity (core) as well as manage fatigue and prepare for a counter punch or attack.

9 | Protect your joints & use proper gear
Maintain a slight bend on the elbow joint to protect the tissues of the arm.  Properly wrap the wrists and wear good gloves to protect the hands, wrist and joints.

10 | Practice with a coach
Work bags, mitts, gloves and other targets to develop your jab.  Have a qualified coach evaluate your technique to prevent bad habits and develop good form.  A trained eye with and experienced mind can do wonders for your progress.

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