How to Throw a Hook in Boxing (Lead and Rear)

The hook is a short, turning power punch to the side of the head or body. Thrown right, it is one of the most damaging punches in boxing. The whole secret is the pivot.

Quick answer: Bend your arm to about 90 degrees, pivot your lead foot, and rotate your hip sharply so the turn drags your arm through the target. Keep the elbow behind the fist and the angle fixed, then snap back to your guard. The power is in the pivot, not the swing.

This guide assumes an orthodox stance, left foot forward. Southpaws mirror everything.

How to throw a lead hook, step by step

1. Bend your lead arm to about 90 degrees into an "L" shape, and raise the elbow to about shoulder height so your forearm is roughly parallel to the floor. For a head hook, your fist, elbow, and shoulder form one horizontal line.
2. Pivot your lead foot, turning the heel outward, and rotate your lead hip and torso sharply in that direction.
3. Let the hip turn drag the arm through the target while the elbow angle stays fixed at 90 degrees. Keep the elbow behind the fist for a whipping snap.
4. Land at face level. For a head hook you can land palm facing you or palm-down. Both are taught, so pick one and keep your wrist straight.
5. Snap the hand straight back to your guard.

Key cues

• Turn your hips fast so the arm is dragged through without the elbow angle changing.
• Hips lead, the arm follows. The pivot is the engine.
• Keep the hand up at face level on the way out and back.

Common mistakes

• Over-swinging, opening the elbow well past 90 degrees. This turns the hook into a slow, telegraphed haymaker that lands with the weaker outside knuckles.
• Not pivoting the lead foot, which leaves you arm-punching with no power.
• Dropping the hand low to load it, which telegraphs the punch and opens your face.
• Falling past the target instead of snapping back to guard.

The rear hook (the "4")

The rear hook uses the same shape but the back hand. A few differences:

• No weight shift to load it. The power side is already loaded on the rear.
• It is riskier. The rear hand travels farther and your body rotates more open, so it takes longer to land and leaves your center more exposed. That makes it easier to see and counter.
• Use it up close, usually to finish a combination, not as your first punch.

Keep your lead hand tight to your face during the turn to cover the opening, and do not over-rotate.

A safety note

Hooks are a common punch for wrist sprains, so keep your wrist straight and firm on impact. Do not dip the hand low to wind up. Return to guard fast. And remember, these cues are not a substitute for a coach who can watch your form. See the movement in our technique library.

What is next

The hook usually follows the straight punches, as in jab-cross-hook. Make sure your jab and cross are clean, then learn the uppercut. To chain them, read boxing punch numbers and build a round with our free combo generator.