After learning the most important punch in boxing, the jab, your natural next step is to learn how to throw a boxing hook and an uppercut. The hook and uppercut both happen to be the most devastating strikes in boxing. They also happen to be the most incorrectly thrown strikes.
You have to be accurate with both these punches to cause enough damage to take the wind out of your opponent. If precisely thrown, and with enough power to them, they have the potential to knock the opponent out within a very less time. So accuracy and strength are the keys and below you will learn how to add that to your punches, starting with the uppercut.
Throw a Boxing Uppercut
Uppercut is not oft-used by fighters because of the nature of the punch. It has to be thrown in close quarters and new boxers are taught to keep a distance from the opponent. As a result, the uppercut is abandoned by many beginners. Which is a mistake. You can always find the opportunity, during the fight, to land the uppercut and you should never take it off the table.
Here is how you can throw a precise uppercut:
Step 1
Bend your knees slightly. The power in the uppercut comes from your lower body, so bending is very important.
Step 2
Bring your hips down. Most boxers don’t realize that when you throw an uppercut you have to bring the hips down as the punch goes up towards your opponent.
Step 3
Body rotation. You have to rotate your lower body and hips to generate power for the punch. Pivot your corresponding foot when throwing the uppercut. When throwing a left uppercut, pivot the left foot and rotate the hips towards the punch. Your shoulders should move accordingly.
Step 4
Bring your arm in the angle for the uppercut and keep it relaxed. The palm should be facing up. Time it to the rotation of your body. When the fist makes the impact, tighten it to deliver a strong hit. The punch should land right after the rotation of the hips for maximum impact.
Step 5
You have to pull the punch after it reaches a certain point. You can’t keep going straight up and leave yourself vulnerable. Bring it up to the opponent’s chin and bring it back to your normal stance. If you have the chance, you can pull back and try another uppercut.
Practice these steps on an uppercut punching bag or with your sparring partner. You have to get the hip rotation right as it is the most important part of the process. As always, be as fast as possible.
Now it’s time to learn to throw the boxing hook.
Throw a Boxing Hook
With the boxing hook, you have to be quick, crisp, and powerful. Study up and see how you can add these three elements to your hook punch;
Step 1
Keep your body straight, in your normal boxing stance. Lower the left or the right hand slightly to prepare for the punch.
Step 2
Pivot the front foot to generate power for the punch. If you use just the upper body movement, the power won’t be there.
Step 3
Rotate the whole body. Hips and shoulders should move in unison. Towards the left for the left hook and towards the right for the right hook.
Step 4
Get your arm into position. It should be parallel to the floor with the elbow bent at 45 degrees. At this angle, the arm should protect you from the counter of your opponent.
Step 5
Tighten the other arm onto your body. It will help you rotate faster.
Step 6
Fist rotation depends on the target. It can be moved upwards if you are aiming for the chin. Your hand should be relaxed right until you make the impact, then you can tighten it up.
Step 7
Complete the punch and recover quickly or continue with a combo if you see an opening. Boxers often make the mistake of overreaching when throwing a hook. Overextending can be a problem and can leave you open to counters.
Follow the simple steps given above to throw powerful and quick hooks and uppercuts. You should practice hard before trying them out on a real opponent.
