Need help with hooks, uppercuts too.

[Sasquatch]

The two most difficult punches (For me anyway) are the hook and uppercut. Lately I've just been working jab cross hook combos and stuff, and am getting pretty proficient at double jabs and such. I really wanted to get good at them after watching a few old Roy Jones Jr. fights. My hooks are sluggish and my uppercuts are basically non-existent. I don't go to any gyms yet (I'm going to start going next week), and all I have is a heavy bag and double end ball to work with. I guess I'm asking for any advice, videos, links, whatever to improve my sluggish, goofy off balanced hooks, and some uppercut advice. Oh, and if somebody has a combo drill where they incorporate more body shots, I'd be grateful if they shared that as well. Thanks guys

[Sagacious Lu]

Other than to keep practicing them on your heavy bag it sounds like what you really need is a good coach to help you out. I'd be willing to bet that after a week or two working on the focus mits with a decent trainer they'd improve dramatically.

[Sasquatch]

Yeah, I guess I'll post an update in a while after a few weeks at the boxing gym. I was just hoping to get a "Head start", so I would be a little more competent. Thanks man

[Juicefree]

If you haven't already I'd suggest downloading the 'Jack Dempsey' manual (there's a link somewhere on this forum). This manual will massively improve the power and quality of your technique.

Hope this helps.

[Paco]

Here's a couple of pointers:

1- Hook:
Keep the left hook tight. Think of a jab. I find that shadow boxing a hook off the jab helps me keep it tight. One boxing coach friend says there is no such thing there's no such thing as a right hook, basically a right should be an overhand (Keeps the right hook tight).

2- Uppercut:

More shoulder than arm. Again, keep it tight. I use the whole body: bob and weave when doing uppercuts in shadowboxing.

3- Watch the Juan Manuel Marquez- Jaedang Taekasr fight on Showtime. This was last Saturday night. I saw it twice. Marquez dispatched a tough Thai guy with uppercuts and overhands. Sweet.

[Sasquatch]

Awesome guys thanks.

[Hardball]

Put a long staff behind your head and rest it on the base of your neck. Snake both arms around the outside of the staff and rotate circular motions like a washing machine. This will help your hook when you are not hitting the heavy bag. For the uppercut, just try throwing hundreds and hundreds of uppercuts per day. Use the air unless you have a partner with an uppercut bag.