The double hook is an effective boxing combination that often finds its target when thrown correctly. The technique typically works best at the end of a combination set up by other punches. A double hook involves rapidly throwing two hooks with the same hand, not throwing a right and left hook.
The technique can be even more effective when you mix up the target of both hooks. You can target the head with the first hook and attack the body with the second. Examples of boxers who excelled at throwing double hooks at different targets include Sugar Ray Robinson, Teofimo Lopez, and Manny Pacquiao.
How To Throw Double Hooks
The key to properly executing a double hook is using the first punch to set up the second punch. Speed should be your primary concern when throwing the first hook. Your second hook should be the power shot where you put everything you have behind. You want to wind up your body when throwing the second hook by turning your right shoulder over your lead food. It’s the same movement you would use when slipping inside a punch. You must wind up for the hook regardless of whether you plan to attack the body or head.
The reason why you want to throw your first hook fast is to set up the second punch. This is a tactic you should use whenever you throw a combination. You don’t want to put everything you have into all your punches since that will quickly leave you gasping for air. It also forces your opponent to be more defensive since they expect you to throw every punch with full power.
Focusing on speed instead of power when throwing punches allows you to conserve energy while giving your opponent a false sense of security. They’re more likely to drop their guard or make an error as they think they can handle your hardest punches. That’s when you surprise them with a full-power punch that catches them off guard. A perfect example of this practice is the double jab-cross combo. The double jabs are thrown as fast as possible, and their job is to restrict your opponent’s vision, so they don’t see the powerful cross behind them.
Throwing fast punches during combinations also increases your odds of landing since your opponent has less time to react to each punch. Study any of the best combination punchers like Roy Jones Jr., and you’ll notice most of the punches they throw in combination don’t have much power behind them. They score points on the judges’ cards and create openings for more powerful attacks.
The most straightforward variation of the double hook is the double lead hook so let’s take a look at its mechanics:
- Get into a boxing stance with your knees slightly bent. Nailing the stance is an integral part of executing the technique since you need to be balanced appropriately to transfer energy from your legs into your torso and, finally, your fist. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and your non-dominant leg should be in front. That means if you’re a righty, your left leg should be in front, while the reverse is true for lefties. We’ll assume you’re in an orthodox stance for our example, meaning your left leg is in front
- Shift your weight to the balls of your feet, so you’re mobile and bouncy on the canvas. Keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet. Brings your hands up to guard your head and keep your elbows close to your chest
- Transfer your weight to your lead foot as you prepare to throw the punch. Use your lead leg to generate force as your dig into the ground and rotate your torso as your swing your fist. Keep your elbow directly behind your fists, so your punch lands with your arms bent and your knuckles pointing toward the floor. Exhale as your fist makes contact with the target
- Avoid straightening your arm when throwing a hook since that takes away from the power behind the punch. Keep your arm high, bent at the elbow, and in line with your elbow when throwing
- Bring your hand back to the guard position just as quickly to defend against any counters. You can fire off another hook right after bringing it back. The mechanics are the same, but wind up by rotating your torso, so your right shoulder is over your lead leg before throwing the punch. This puts a little extra power behind the punch
Popular Ways To Throw Double Hooks
Now that we understand how double hooks works, let’s take a look at some of the most popular ways to use the technique:
1) Double Hook To The Head
The double hook to the head can be highly effective if you set it up correctly. Start by throwing a few combinations at an opponent that end with a lead hook. For example, you can throw a few jab-cross-lead hook combinations at your opponent so they start to expect that specific combination.
That’s when you add an extra hook to the combination. You go jab-cross-hook and follow up with another hook just when your opponent thinks the combination is over. Put all the power you have behind the last hook since there’s a good chance you’ll catch your opponent off-guard with it.
2) Lead Hook-Lead Hook To The Body
This combination works best when you’ve already gotten your opponent to raise their guard to block the punches you’ve been throwing at their head. You can use this combination on its own or add it to the end of a combination like our first setup.
Fire a lead hook at your opponent’s lead and fire another at their body. If you already know how to throw a shovel hook, finish up the combination with it instead of a conventional hook.
3) Lead Hook To The Body-Lead Hook Head
Set this combination up by attacking your opponent’s body frequently, forcing them to drop their guard to protect their body better. Fire a fast hook to the body to get them to bring their guard down, then immediately follow up with a hard lead hook to the head. You can catch your opponent with their hands still down if you’re fast enough.
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