Proper hook technique on heavy bag vs shadow boxing

[Ayrossi]

Hello,

First of all, some more information about myself.

I just started boxing two weeks ago at 21 years old.
Before that I practiced karate for nearly 8 years.

After a few lessons my coach told me that my 1 and 2 are pretty good. At karate we focused a lot on the jab.

My footwork is not bad too for a beginner.

Now the thing is, we didn't throw hooks in karate, everything went in straight lines.

After watching a lot of videos on the proper technique for hooks I started practicing through shadow boxing and it felt okay until two days ago.

I've been explained that when I throw a hook my arm should form a 90 degree angle at my elbow.

Two days ago I started to practice easy combinations on the heavy bag but I encountered two issues with the 1/2/3:

1) My reach is a lot longer for the 1-2 then for hooks.
I lose time after the 2 because if I want to keep that 90
degrees angle I really have to come closer to the bag.
When I had a closer look at some of the more experienced
boxers in the gym I saw that on the bag they were far from
keeping that angle when throwing those hooks on the bag.
When they shadow-box they keep it but we can clearly see
that the hook doesn't go as far as the jab and 2.

So my first question is:

Is the technique for a hook different for shadow boxing
and when thrown on the heavy bag? Or is it just a matter
of footwork to close that distance?


2) When I gave hooks on the bag with a little bit more power
I felt my whole biceps tense at each contact with the bag.
After a few hooks It became a real pain.
Luckily after two days of rest the pain went away.

This is certainly due to my bad technique, does
someone has an idea? Because my coach looked at it but
didn't point at something specific

Thanks in advance!

[greynotsoold]

The first part is a footwork issue, closing distance. Also pay attention to your shoulder turn on the right hand, and as it flows into the hook.

The pain in the bicep... without seeing you, I'm guessing you aren't getting your weight turned on your feet, so the bicep and shoulder are taking the stress. Pay attention to your right foot as you step in with the 1-2, then hook. It is probably getting too far behind your body.

[EDD1]

I would recommend you ask someone to do mittwork with you, it is much better than learning to do the hook on a bag.

It is impossible to figure the angle of your arm everytime you throw it.

The mitts help because you have to adjust how far out you extend your arm to land the hook which help you develop the variance in distance you would encounter in a sparing session or fight.

Also, using mitts has less of an impact on your tendons in your arms, the bad is a heavy object and if you are new to boxing you can hurt your tendons and even possibly tear a bicep.
If your gym is crowded and no coach has time to work the mitts with you I recommend you buy some mitts and offer to exchange mitt work with another gym member.
You may have to do it outside the gym cause some gyms have trainers that might not approve of someone else working mitts with you (boxing coaches can be petty that way sometimes)

[OctoberRed]

I would recommend you ask someone to do mittwork with you, it is much better than learning to do the hook on a bag.

^^^^ Agreed.

[Warrior Scholar]

So my first question is:

Is the technique for a hook different for shadow boxing
and when thrown on the heavy bag? Or is it just a matter
of footwork to close that distance?


2) When I gave hooks on the bag with a little bit more power
I felt my whole biceps tense at each contact with the bag.
After a few hooks It became a real pain.
Luckily after two days of rest the pain went away.

This is certainly due to my bad technique, does
someone has an idea? Because my coach looked at it but
didn't point at something specific

Thanks in advance!

at least you got plenty of wooden flooring to get better and jump rope on. rubber mats are toxic. You put a lot of ass into your hook is why your bicep is sore af. Practice to Vary the tempo of the punches with the mustard always being on the final blow of the combo.

relax the fist before throwing the punch a bit, then make the fist approaching the destination. this mastered through shadowboxing will make you better on the bag.

[OctoberRed]

at least you got plenty of wooden flooring to get better and jump rope on. rubber mats are toxic..

I can't stand rubber mats, too.