Circular hook VS Leg drive assisted hook? Which is better and why?

[AlexKid]

So some people throw the hook with a purely circular force. Pure rotation from the hips.

And some people throw it with the leg drive much like the way the straight right is thrown. Because of the leg drive the hook gets some linear force, and they try to make any rotational force smack the head directly to the side (in a linear way) rather than follow through with the elbow as with a purely rotational hook.

Which is the better method for hooking and why?

Does it differ for hooks at short medium and long range?

[nivek535]

go out there and try everything you've asked and see if you find an answer to each of your questions...

[frosty-g]

So some people throw the hook with a purely circular force. Pure rotation from the hips.

And some people throw it with the leg drive much like the way the straight right is thrown. Because of the leg drive the hook gets some linear force, and they try to make any rotational force smack the head directly to the side (in a linear way) rather than follow through with the elbow as with a purely rotational hook.

Which is the better method for hooking and why?

Does it differ for hooks at short medium and long range?

Depends on situation and distance. Try throwing a long distance hook just using rotation and you'll see it doesn't exactly work.

go out there and try everything you've asked and see if you find an answer to each of your questions...

yes you should really to be fair, you would be able to answer a lot of your questions for yourself

[BG_Knocc_Out]

I see left hooks being taught by being thrown with the palm down (elbow up), but I feel like this is an incredibly flawed technique. I know I've seen Roach and lots of MMA coaches teaching this, and I wish they didn't. Structurally it's very bad on your ulnars and your wrists. The type impact will leave a lasting impression on your wrists leading to ganglion cysts, very common among boxers. The only time I would encourage palm down hooks with the elbow up is an orthodox fighter trying to land the hook against a southpaw. Given the right trajectory, you can effectively brush over their shoulder and connect in many areas of the head if they decide to lean on their back foot as a defensive maneuver. Best example of this is Golovkin - Proksa. Granted, Proksa keeps his left low, but still works great with a southy with his gloves up and gets behind their hands

Traditionally, the hardest, fastest, most accurate and defensively built-in hooks are thrown with the elbow pointed at the floor (guideline). Examples of which are Trinidad's, DLH's, Maywathers, etc. You have to keep your punch within a narrow window of the opponent. It may not seem like it, but the punches that seem to be the most physically effective are the shortest. If you've ever boxed and have been able to knock someone down or out, it always seems to be the punch you didn't think even landed as good as it actually did.

You have to think in terms of economical movement.. What gives you the most **** for your buck. The latter hooks mentioned involve much less movement from the elbows, which is great for maintaining stance, balance, and positioning, all the while still allowing the whole body to be behind that punch.