Last Updated on October 2, 2021 by
In boxing, a hook is a punching technique usually aimed at the jaw and sometimes used for body shots. It is done by swinging your arms by turning the core muscles and back which is bent at an angle of 90 degrees in a horizontal arc into your opponent. A cross, on the other hand, is a punching technique in boxing usually thrown with the dominant hand immediately an opponent leads with his opposite hand. Just like hook and uppercut punching techniques, a cross is a power punch that crosses over the leading arm. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the differences between these two punching techniques.
Whether you’re a professional boxer or a fitness boxer, you should have heard of the basic punches – the jab, the uppercut, the hook, and the cross. Most importantly, if you’re planning to learn boxing for competitive purposes, these basic punches are the first set of strikes you need to master. In this article, we are going to talk about the differences between the cross and the hook punching techniques in boxing.
Overview Of The Cross Punching Technique
A cross punch is a strong and straight punching technique thrown with the rear hand instead of the lead hand. It is a type of punch that’s thrown by crossing the body and hitting the opponent in a straight line from the guard position. You’ll have to retract the lead hand as you throw forward the rear hand from the guard position to avoid getting a counter hit from the opponent.
It is a smart move to rotate the torso counter-clockwise to gather more strength. At the same time, you should move the weight of your foot from the lead to the great foot. This punching technique has its major strength from the blend of weight transfer and rotation. Nonetheless, you should quickly retract your hand back to the guard position after making the contact.
Normally, a cross is used as a counter-response to a jab from an opponent. But that’s not to say that it can be used to set a hook or used after a jab. Due to the fact that finishing will be painful for a smaller pad holder, it is advisable not to drive through with the punch during pad work.
Overview Of The Hook Punching Technique
A hook punch is a punching technique in boxing that is thrown with the lead hand instead of the rear hand, and it targets the side of the opponent’s head. It is a type of boxing punch that’s thrown by clockwise rotation of the torso and by drawing the elbow horizontally to the first. From this fighting stance, you should hit the opponent from the side in a clockwise arc as the rear hand stays in the guard position.
You can use this boxing punch to strike the side of the opponent’s body, sometimes called the rip, even though it is primarily aimed at the side of the opponent’s head. The hook is a powerful punch that if it’s stuck well, can knock down your opponent. There are three major types of hook punch in boxing. Let’s quickly check them out.
1. The Textbook Hook
The textbook hook is one of the most effective types of hook punch in boxing used in almost any situation during a boxing match. It is a smart move to master the variations of the hook punching technique. To make a textbook hook punch, you will have to first throw your fist towards the opponent with your elbow in a straight line with your cheekbone. Your elbow just has to be parallel to your cheekbone to avoid throwing the hook wide. Ensure that your weight and momentum are accurately shifted as you pivot. A textbook hook punch is very effective and efficient if you execute it correctly. Work on your form and stance first, then look to add more strength and momentum.
2. The Lead Hook
A lot of professional boxers use the hook as a lead punch even though it normally appears at the end of a combination. You can use the hook to knock down your opponent if it is used as the first punch in any combination. Ensure that you don’t cock your fist backward before throwing a lead hook. If you cock your fist backward before launching a lead hook, it will be telegraphed by your opponent and might be ineffective.
The main cause of throwing a lead hook punch is to catch your opponent by surprise. The best thing to do is involve yourself in constant head movement. This will help make it difficult for your opponent to telegraph a lead hook. One reason why a lead hook is very effective if executed properly is because of its unpredictable and startling nature. You can as well complement a lead hook punch with the rear uppercut.
3. The Check Hook
The check hook is commonly dubbed as the step-back hook and it is used as a counter to a forward-moving attack from an opponent. Peradventure, you are faced with an aggressive forward moving opponent, you have to be smart and quick to defend against such attacks. Using the check hook is an effective way to counter an aggressive forward moving opponent. The check hook becomes more powerful when your step back is explosive and quick.
Final Words
The cross and the hook punches are the two common and most powerful punching techniques in boxing. A hook is thrown with the rotation of the trunk and from your lead hand. A boxer has to bend his arm through the motion looming like a hook. On the other hand, a cross is thrown from your rear hand and it normally crossed the body to the opponent’s jaw. We’ve come to the end of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good resources in your quest to know the best basketball training programs. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks
