The Lead Hook

[swan104]

I am currently aware of two different ways of throwing a lead hook to the head:

1. The "JKD" way, where you put your whole body into the hook by pivoting your body and your hips into the punch. Your lead foot should be pointing in the general direction of the punch. There are pics of Bruce Lee doing this

2. Boxing/kickboxing/other martial arts - only the waist is used in putting the power into the punch.

I definitely prefer using option 1, since I am training in this method at the moment. However, I have been taught option 2 in the past.

What do you guys/gals prefer?

If the JKD way of throwing the lead hook is seen as more efficent and powerful than the conventional way of hooking, then why don't boxers adopt this method (maybe they do but I haven't really looked into it in much detail)?

Just something that came to me during my daily toilet break at work one day!

[Tom Yum]

I think the boxing/kickboxing version is the same. Your lead leg also points in the same direction of the hook and you pivot on the back leg, torque the hips while pushing off from the front leg.

[ryanhall]

Another big difference is the hand positioning. In JKD, the vertical fist is used for the hook, while in boxing/martial arts, a horizontal fist is used. The latter is an extremely inferior positioning, and it will result in a break or sprain without gloves/tape.

[Alex]

Ryan, it depends who you get your JKD instruction from. I have seen the JKD hook done with vertical fist and I have seen it done with horizontal, both from respected first-generation JKD instructors.

With proper structural alignment of the wrist when performing the horizontal fist hook, there is not any more risk of injury than the vertical fist hook. As you know, the priciple behind the vertical fist of JKD has to do with positioning of the elbow. When the horizontal fist hook is performed it is done taking into account the position of the elbow.

If you extend your arm as if you had just fired a straight lead, then slowly rotate the elbow up to where it would be if you had fired a hook, you will see the fist automatically becomes horizontal. This is its 'natural' position.

[ryanhall]

Alex,

With proper structural alignment of the wrist when performing the horizontal fist hook, there is not any more risk of injury than the vertical fist hook

I agree with the rest of your post, but I take issue with this. There is an increased risk of sprain or breakage when the horizontal fist positioning is used for a hook. Firstoff, you are hitting with the two big knuckles. This is not what you want for bareknuckle fighting--you will break that index knuckle. If you doubt me, just look at the old school bareknuckle boxers or read Jack Dempsey's "Championship Fighting"--he advocates the three knuckle landing that was used before the substantial gloves of today were worn. If you make a fist and look at your hand, you will see that the bottom three knuckles line up directly with your wrist and forearm. The index does not. If you feel down that index into your hand, you will notice that the metacarpel comes into your wrist at an angle. This is where the support is lost and a break becomes yet more likely. Sure, you'll break your fist anyway if you hit somewhere other than the nose, jaw, chin, or temple, but you should use the three knuckle landing anyway.

Secondly, the wrist does not have support from the rest of the arm when the fist is positioned horizontally. This makes for a less stable punch, which can result in a sprain or fracture of the wrist. As you know, one of the reasons that boxers use the horizontal fist positioning is because it uses the "cutting edge" of the fist. They are trying to overcome the gloves and cut the opponent as much as they are trying to knock him out with the shot.

Overall, the vertical hook is a much safer shot. I also find that I have more power with it as well, as it's easier to crank the entire body behind the shot. Vertical fist punches are always safer than horizontal fist punches, even though they sacrifice in power (minus the hook).

[Alex]

If you make a fist and look at your hand, you will see that the bottom three knuckles line up directly with your wrist and forearm. The index does not. If you feel down that index into your hand, you will notice that the metacarpel comes into your wrist at an angle. This is where the support is lost and a break becomes yet more likely.

Can't argue with science, that makes sense to me!

the wrist does not have support from the rest of the arm when the fist is positioned horizontally.

I also agree with this. I think this is less of a factor when it comes to the hook (compared with other punches) because of the whole position of the arm in general when torquing, but it is certainly a factor that is important to consider.

Cheers,
Alex

[Thai Bri]

I htrow lead hooks with the palm. As they land my fingers point away from me (not upwards). They are hard blows that rock the head good style.

I don't have the slightest worry about injuring my hand.

[Alex]

I have used this method too, Thai Bri, and your are right- it can be devastating to the receiver!

[JkD187]

instead of saying which method is beter this or that, why not just use bolth methods, there are times when u might want a strong lead hook like when ur close and times when u dont want to put ur whole body behind it and juse use the shoulder like in long/medium range.

[doubleouch]

For MMA turning the whole body puts you in a bad position and can get you body locked.

[Maxx]

Personally, I think it depends on the situation. Over the years I've seen the hook taught a variety of ways with varying levels of commitment with regards to the turn of the body and the hip, but I've never really seen it categorized in this way.

One thing that I've discovered with regards to the vertical vs. horizontal fist is that it depends on the range. The circular motion of the lead hook can vary from anything between a close body shot with a great deal of bend in the arm and a great deal of body torqe all the way out to what could only be categorized as a loopy jab with only the slightest amount of circular motion. Obviously the amount of circular motion and body rotation is going to depend on the actual range of the target in question. In close range, a tight hook would be best while at long range a wider one would work well. In my estimation, I find that a vertical fist works best at close range while a horizontal fist is better for the longer ranges. If I try to keep my fist vertical for long range hooks, it puts a tremendous amound of strain on my forearm. I can release that pressure by turning my fist more horizontal.