The Rear Hook

The rear hook is one of the more curious punches in boxing. Part of the reason that it is a somewhat curious punch is the fact that its use is usually pretty limited. While the rear body hook is employed somewhat regularly, the rear hook to the head is kept to a minimum.

There are a few reasons for the miminal use of the rear hook with the most common reason being that it is primarily an arm strength punch. This is because the elbow drifts very far away from the body in order to create the hooking motion.

Also, the rotation of the body for the hook does not do the person punching many favors. That is to say, the body ends up squarring and the elbow of the punching are is away from the body. This leaves a huge gap for a counter punch to come up the middle. Doesn't sound like a really safe way to throw a punch does it?

I have seen some focus mitt drills where the rear hook is employed such as jab/rear hook...but I was never sold on the punch. I guess it has its uses, but those uses are fairly minimal.