Page 36 - Fighting Fit: Boxing, Workouts, Techniques, and Sparring

Chapter 3

often far outweighs the natural pleasure of launching
your favorite hand. The straight right is best utilized
behind the jab or as a counter after a defensive move.

Right notes

The straight right should be thrown straight from the
chin without wind-up or dips of the shoulder.The
punch accelerates as it tracks toward the target.
Immediately before the explosion the fist clenches.
Tension is immediately released as the hand snaps back
to guard.

Left hook (3)
The legendary left hook is the most difficult punch to
learn. Unlike the jab and straight right, the left hook
has mysterious nuances that simply take time for most
boxers to discover and assimilate.

The hook is generally misunderstood. Most beginners
think the left hook is some sort of sweeping, round-
house punch thrown and powered by a loopy left arm.

The hook is an inside power punch. It’s most effective
when you’re close to your opponent.The punch begins
with a weight transfer to your left side. From the guard
position the left elbow is brought up, almost parallel to
the floor, so that the arm forms a sort of hook (hence
the name).At the same time the fist is rotated either
palm down for a very close target or palm-in for targets
farther away.

Here’s the secret.The arm is held in place as described
above; the punch is delivered by pivoting left foot, left
leg and torso sharply to the right in a powerful, one-

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