for orthodox fighters, how do you learn to hook off the jab? Should i try to jab twice and then throw a hook off it? Any risk in leaving yourself open for a counter?
Jab and bring the jab back about half way, then turn over the left hand (prefer palm down), push with the left foot, turn your hips and transfer your weight to the right foot. The hook might not be as hard as some of the other hooks you throw (but your opponent might not see it and it might clip the chin). The hook off the jab will also turn your body and position you to throw a hard right hand. All you have to do for the right hand is push off the right foot, turn your hips and transfer your weight to the left foot. Hope this is understandable.
Yeah, the momentum of your jab recoiling as your reel it back in should be combined with the start of the hooking maneuver (popping your elbow out, cradling that "egg" coaches tell you about when you're first learning to hook) and with enough practice you can make it one seamless fluid motion. Don't forget about your leading foot mechanics as well, the forward scoot for the jab needs to abruptly halt and be converted into the "putting out a cigarette" motion for the hook with your left hip turning in sync with the bend of your elbow. You shouldn't really be open to a counter as long as your right hand is staying at home defensively while you do all this, and you aren't dropping altitude on the left (no reason to) as you recall the jab and start turning it over for the hook.
You can't hook off the jab if you don't move both feet. When you jab and step forward with your left foot, bring your right foot with you. Otherwise, you won't be able to transfer your weight.
Is it possible or useful to hook off the jab to the body Grey? I just thought about that then. Charles used to feint jabs to the body and then hit them with the hook when they tried a parry. Not too far removed. EDIT: A secondary question can you hook off the body and hit the body?
I think that jabbing to the body and hooking to the head is probably the first thing that most would think of- depending on how he chooses to defend against the jab to the body, the opening created for the hook is more obvious. As I think about it, the mechanics of that move might be easier to learn- they are a bit different. Yes you can go to the body- jab, then hook to the body. But, unless you just drop your left hand to throw the second punch, you have to get your left shoulder low. You do that by turning your body as if you had thrown a right hand and by where you put your left foot.
Sometimes it’s good just to see. Watch Ezzard Charles in the third Layne fight and likely many others - but Grey and Pat have pretty much got you covered. There are other ways of looking at it to consider - you could be jabbing coming forward and your arm shortens with the stride (you’re meeting the fist halfway) allowing you to throw a hard left hook but it’s not quite the same.
It's also an excellent idea to practice hooking off a shoulder feint, a dip, a half jab, a double jab, even a triple jab. This will nail down the technique properly and allow you a variety of options. Also practice following with a right hand. That way, even if you miss with the hook, you'll keep your balance so you can still throw the right or slip any counters.
