Rear Hook

How to throw it

Throw the rear hook by rotating the rear hip and pivoting hard on the rear foot, keeping the elbow up and the arc tight since this is a shorter-range punch. Turn the whole body into it so the power comes from rotation, not the arm alone. Keep the lead hand high to guard the side you have opened.

When to use it

The rear hook is a big-power close-range shot, best when you are already inside and straight punches would jam. Use it to catch an opponent who has slipped toward your rear side or dropped their lead guard.

Common mistakes

• Winding up and looping it wide, which telegraphs a punch that only works at short range.
• Not pivoting the rear foot, so the hip stays locked and the power leaks away.
• Reaching for a target that is too far out, since the rear hook has no reach to spare.