Left hook feels weak and awkward.

[Thedeadgamer]

My left hook feels awkward and weak during training. Idk the reason, but from Fran sands he says that hooks are better to throw from a squared stance. Any truth to this? Could standing sideways slightly hinder my left hook or do I just need to get used to it? The main thing that feels weird is turning my hips.

[OctoberRed]

My left hook feels awkward and weak during training. Idk the reason, but from Fran sands he says that hooks are better to throw from a squared stance. Any truth to this? Could standing sideways slightly hinder my left hook or do I just need to get used to it? The main thing that feels weird is turning my hips.

did you suffer any injuries in the past?

[greynotsoold]

If you don't shift your weight to your right foot first, then turning your hips will be awkward. Also, look at where your feet are placed. If you are creating an angled stance by rotating your left hip forward you should be ok; if you are doing it by getting your feet in a line, rather than under your shoulders, your stance is too narrow.

[4truth]

Try throwing it low with the palm up or perpendicular till you can start to generate some power and feel your weight naturally shift to your left foot.

tumblr_m8n4c24T0F1qaa8d1o1_500.gif
Leaned to the left like that, your right foot will nearly come off the ground on impact as all of your weight is shifted

[greynotsoold]

When you throw a left hook the weight transfers onto the right leg, not off of it.

[4truth]

When you throw a left hook the weight transfers onto the right leg, not off of it.

Isn’t that more of a check hook. Day in and day out most hooks are thrown off of the front foot like the one in the gif I posted. Driving forward more often than pulling back is how I’m thinking most hooks are thrown.

[greynotsoold]

A lot of hooks are thrown off the front foot, but it is not the right way to throw them. What happens is that a guy steps in with his jab but doesn't move his right foot forward.
When you do that it makes it difficult to properly transfer your weight on any punch, especially the left hook.

[GGG Gloveking]

Isn’t that more of a check hook. Day in and day out most hooks are thrown off of the front foot like the one in the gif I posted. Driving forward more often than pulling back is how I’m thinking most hooks are thrown.

It depends if it's a hook to the head, or to the body. Head shots need that front leg rotation, and transfer of weight to the rear leg. With body shots, you can dig in with weight on the front leg.

Tony Jeffries has a good video on the lead hook and how to throw it

[4truth]

It depends if it's a hook to the head, or to the body. Head shots need that front leg rotation, and transfer of weight to the rear leg. With body shots, you can dig in with weight on the front leg.

Tony Jeffries has a good video on the lead hook and how to throw it

I’ll have a look. Earlier this morning I was watching a Freddie Roach video.

I had good professional instruction many years ago but I’ve been working out on my own now for a lot of years. I suppose it isn’t surprising I’ve developed some unfortunate habits.

[Kiowhatta]

I agree with the previous poster's that the Tony Jeffries channel is good, it's a no-frills straight to the point boxing educational.

I also have trouble with my lead hook, I also had some training when younger, and like to work out regularly on the bag.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plzJQQcG94M

The title of this guys video pretty much matches your thread, I found it helpful.

There are a lot of issues to cover with the lead hook. Are you looking to rock the walls? Be as fast as lightning?

Pardon my facetiousness, but I find my own expectations and over-thinking get in the way. Ironically there are so many 'how to' videos, that there is a fine line between learning and saturation.

Marvin Cook advocates NOT spinning too much on the balls of the feet as it's not necessary. I found reducing the importance of this oft taught technique improved my balance and accuracy.

There are so many variations on the hook. From a standing start and without any loading up, unless you throw the hook wide and snap it back at the elbow joint, it's not going to be very effective.

I also agree with Fran Sands about standing square. I believe this is one of the so-called cardinal rules that can be bent. Watching great 'hookers' like Iron Mike and Joe Frazier they produced most of their kinetic energy by bending and twisting at the waist, not so much the hips.

I actually think the whole 'twist your hips' is a misnomer, and over-emphasised, like the spinning on the balls of your feet - they aren't part of the beginning of the movement, more of a by-product, or end of the chain.

Yes, the hips and core do combine, but its the torso that twists more.

Like I said, it's a complex issue of a basic concept. If I throw the hook in combination and position my feet so that the target is off centre and to the right, it also provides more room to land. However, at 46 my feet don't move as fast as my hands and I often end up throwing punches out of position.

For me, I have to tread the line between setting goals to motivate myself, but not take it so seriously that I end up roasting myself for making mistakes.

In the Gatti v Ward fight, I think it was Max Kellerman? who asked George Foreman why Ward's body shot was so effective.

Foreman responded, "Because he believes in it". What I think Foreman meant was Ward's left hook to the body probably felt entirely natural and he didn't have to think about it; also it was probably his strongest side, most of us have either a stronger left or right-hand side.

Hope that helps, and hey I'm no expert.