Basic Boxing 5 The Left Hook

youtube.com -- Following up the right hand is number 3 of the famous 1-2-3 combination, the left hook. A video tutorial on basic boxing, throwing the left hook. Part 5. Watch Video

  1. Stand in your normal boxing stance. Power punchers generally keep their lead (left) foot closer to square with their right than straight punchers.
  2. Do the following simultaneously:
    • Plant your back (right) foot and keep it there. This foot will never move.
    • Shift your left foot onto the toe and twist leftward as if you are stamping out a cigarette.
    • Lower your left arm and cock it at a ninety degree angle in a parallel plane to the floor.
    • Twist your torso to the left.
    • Keep your right hand at the chin as a guard.
  3. Then do the following simultaneously:
    • Starting with the legs, unwind your slightly twisted body while twisting your left foot on its toe to the right.
    • Use all of the force you can muster to unwind your torso.
    • Keep your chin down (always) and your head facing forward. Ideally, your head will stay in the same place throughout the duration of the punch.
    • Keep your left arm locked at a 90-degree angle.
    • Strike your opponent squarely on the chin.
  4. After the point of impact, your energy should be completely expended. Don't twist so much that you fall over. Maintain your balance.
    • Quickly twist back into your normal stance. It will feel fluid and fast. You are very vulnerable to a straight right (a knockout punch) after you have thrown a left hook.



  1. Even more difficult than throwing this punch is knowing when to use it. You must
    • Be in close, so that your opponents straight punches are less of a threat
    • Have enough energy to throw this taxing punch
    • Have already weakened your opponent with body blows or jabs so that they are less of a threat in general and so that they are less likely to see it coming
  2. The left hook has a setup time. In other words, you can't avoid telegraphing it. You have two options: learn to perform it as fast as possible (study Joe Frazier's left hook technique) or divert the opponents' attention. Often the left hook follows a successful jab because the opponent is worried about the straight right coming (this combination takes a lot of strength and endurance). Shorter, more compact boxers should opt for a combination of both of these techniques.
  3. Only use the left hook for a knockout punch or after a successful combination. You will miss almost every time because all your opponent has to do is lean back a few inches.
  4. Learn to bob/weave after performing the punch to lessen the chance of getting hit by a straight right afterwards. Make it a habit.