throwing decent hooks

Hooks... throw from a very compact defence , never lead with it, keep it strictly tight in (no flapping arms or wide hooks or you wont stand a cat in hells chance in landing it) the arm must always be horizontal on impact and the elbow must always be up high , and always a good twist at the waste.. pivotting as its thrown with opposits hand close to side of face for protection, recoil as soon as its been delivered and assume a defensive position out of range to re group for next punch combination...

 

i disagree i think you can lead with a hook effectivly

 

Yes, you can lead with a hook effectively... the problem is, if you miss, you put yourself in the way of MAJOR harm.

The drawbacks far outweigh the benefits...

 

and if you miss you end up looking like a right twat

 

Depends on how fast your hands and feet are, and how much rangier you are than your opponent. I think lead hooks are great, especially when you're taller. Watch some of Wlad's old fights, he has a fantastic lead hook. Hooking off the jab is a wonderful thing as well, although it's very hard.


The left hook is a hard punch to learn when you start, because your right hand is better coordinated than the left. On top of that, it is not a straight punch, but instead a twist of the hips, or actually, of the entire body. During the first half year that you box, practice it over and over and over on the bag until your technique is great.... you'll feel the power come automatically. Going from there to landing it during sparring is another step that is hard, but again, more than worth it.

 

It's pretty well known that a lead hook is not advised by old time trainers.

You have to jump forward to land a lead left hook. Unless you are supremely fast, your opponent will easily see it. And 99% of boxers are not supremely fast.

A hook off the jab or a feint and a hook is fine because you're masking the hook beforehand.

You'll get away with it against bums, but against someone competent, it's gonna be trouble.

 

agreed !! i used to like throwing the hook either,as you say after a jab or feint,or even having touched your opponent to get range.
i tried leading with a hook and i was one of the 99% and invariabley missed

 

Against someone competent? How about a world class boxer like Gene Fullmer? Didn't stop Robinson from knocking him out with a lead left hook.. and that was when he was in his mid 30's and lost the great speed he once had. By the way, that happened in the 50's, so you may think about your "old time trainer" remark. The lead left hook is a great weapon that brings variaty to your arsenal and makes you unpredictable, which is extremely important.

 

i try a lead left ook alot and land it and i wouldnt say im extremly fast, im quick but no FMJ

 

I throw a lead left hook quite often, as long as my opponent expects a jab it's not that dangerous. I may not be Roy Jones, but my opponents aren't exactly James Toney either. ChrisPontius makes a good point about being unpredictable. Being too orthodox makes you predictable.

 

Sorry... thta was not a lead left hook.

Robinson set it up with a lot of right hands which Fullmer countered with his own right. But he kept pulling it back just a bit further each time as he attempted to block/parry SRR's rights with his left.

When Robinson deemed that the set up was ready, he did the same move of stepping back and getting ready to launch a right. But this time, it was only an ever slight feint that Fullmer went for to block and counter, leaving the right side of his chin blatantly exposed for Robinson's short, stunning hook.

You seriously think Fullmer would've got caught by a lead left hook???

 

If they're expecting a jab, that means you must be feinting before you throw the hook?

 

Yes, it can land... but again, if you miss, you could be in deep sh*t...

 

Not necessarily, it means that a jab has been established.

 

if you miss any punch you could be in deep ****. Ever heard the saying make em miss, make em pay. For started your chin should be protected by your shoulder when you throw the hook so if you miss your chin shouldnt be exposed to a right hand. I think there left hooks work against certain opponents and it mixex things up, if you keep coming in with a jab, you will eventually just get countered or parried. I dont see anything wrong with leading with a hook. For the peope who dont that means you got one less punch in your kit. And whos to say what you can and cant do in boxing. You can do anything in boxing as long as you get away with it. Its only once you get knocked out it becomes a problem..