Thread: Avoiding right hook to the body

I was sparring (kinda: hooks only) with this guy. Whenever I throw a left hook to the head, he'd duck down and throw a bomb to the body. I was lucky I can take good punches to the body . My problem was I couldn't think of any way to avoid these counterpunches. I still am baffled as to what to do... so... any suggestions? thnx

If you know whats coming then feint and counter yourself.

How about dont lead with a left hook when sparring that bloke for starters.

You guys in reverse stances to each other?

Yeah, I wouldn't lead with it unless you can catch them by surprise, throw it unexpectedly and/or from a angle.

However, you can still counter with your left hook. When you slip outside of the jab, you don't have to worry about their right hand, you can then throw a left hook counter with relative safety. You can also pivot toward the right after the slip and then throw the hook which will allow you to hit them with more than one shot as they have to turn back toward you. It works better if you can get close after the slip, and then pivot to the side of him. You can also throw the hook/uppercut up and under his extended left arm.

Circling left, which includes pivoting, can give you opportunities as you're leading with jabs. I find that if they're catching my jabs with their right, that helps to keep that hand preoccupied. So then after a pivot, I step in and toss in the Ol' left hook behind their catcher's mitt. Surprise.

I like all that you've mentioned Chris.

Do you ever find yourself throwing a left jab out to someone who likes to step to their right and slip your jab and come in with a low hook:

That you throw it loose (make him really commit) but instantly drop your elbow and flatten his arm with yours (like trying to catch a ball with your palm down ) moving your left leg out that same way but back slightly on the end of his hook for room but pivoting with your right hip and throwing your straight right hand down the pipe? Its like half way to switching stance but you throw on the opening then keep moving out on his right side which is spent, and avoid his left.
Sorry going of track, you know me, just one of those weird things to mess with.

That's interesting, Andre. Let me see if I follow. So knowing that they're going to slip the jab and throw a left hook to your exposed left side, you try to intercept their left arm, that is slap it down as you drop your elbow? Then set yourself to counter with the straight right, stepping to right and then pivoting to the outside of their left arm for a possible follow up. Is that right?

I think that it'd be neat if you could intercept and push aside their left hook. It would put them off balance, and give you a sense of control. I'm not sure if I got the right idea though.

One of Thomas's ideas, if I recall correctly was to have them react to your jabs to begin with and then have them throw the counter left hook to the body off of the slip. You have these non-committal jabs that don't really put you at risk, but you also mix in hard jabs so that they have to respond to all of your jab. The left hook to the body is an obvious choice, so you're ready for it. You throw another easy jab, and they go after it with that hook we were talking about, but you time it with your straight right.

Anyways, since you like outside-of-the-box sort of moves, here's something else that I've been thinking about. You draw their left hook with your jab again, but instead of bringing your left arm back to guard, you bring your arm back about half way while raising your left elbow, getting ready to hook. You time their left hook to the body, shifting your weight back onto your right foot, thereby countering their hook with a left hook of your own. It'd take practice in going from a jab to a left hook, and then working on timing with a partner or a coach working the mitts, but I think it can really work.

One daring move would be to stop their punch by catching their left bicep with the palm of your left glove as they start throw the left hook. I never tried it before, I think that it's worth mentioning.

Whoops I was more in thought of them hooking you under your left jab with their right hook to the body after they step out to the outside of your jab; then you knowingly adjust and drop your jab arm like snatching a ball out of the air sort of move palm down and follow in right at the same time with your right straight down the pipe your hip is behind it your movement behind it and you walk out on the same angle to your left as you go away from his loaded left rear hand.

Off your same stance two naturals or two souths they'll square up a bit and show what they are thinking (if they are that type of a mover).

Also if they are already in the opposite stance to you it could all stem off them by an easier step out and a lead arm right hook under your left jab.


Im just playing here.

You know what I mean; they catch you with the hook... you set it all up for them again.

Originally Posted by Chris Nagel

That's interesting, Andre. Let me see if I follow. So knowing that they're going to slip the jab and throw a left hook to your exposed left side, you try to intercept their left arm, that is slap it down as you drop your elbow? Then set yourself to counter with the straight right, stepping to right and then pivoting to the outside of their left arm for a possible follow up. Is that right?

I think that it'd be neat if you could intercept and push aside their left hook. It would put them off balance, and give you a sense of control. I'm not sure if I got the right idea though.

One of Thomas's ideas, if I recall correctly was to have them react to your jabs to begin with and then have them throw the counter left hook to the body off of the slip. You have these non-committal jabs that don't really put you at risk, but you also mix in hard jabs so that they have to respond to all of your jab. The left hook to the body is an obvious choice, so you're ready for it. You throw another easy jab, and they go after it with that hook we were talking about, but you time it with your straight right.

Anyways, since you like outside-of-the-box sort of moves, here's something else that I've been thinking about. You draw their left hook with your jab again, but instead of bringing your left arm back to guard, you bring your arm back about half way while raising your left elbow, getting ready to hook. You time their left hook to the body, shifting your weight back onto your right foot, thereby countering their hook with a left hook of your own. It'd take practice in going from a jab to a left hook, and then working on timing with a partner or a coach working the mitts, but I think it can really work.

(Think that could work with a correcting short left right step out slightly to your left so you give yourself distance away from his hook but not as much effect on your distance with yours.)Wouldnt want to get caught with too much weight on your right leg.




One daring move would be to stop their punch by catching their left bicep with the palm of your left glove as they start throw the left hook. I never tried it before, I think that it's worth mentioning.

Wohhooo MAybe better for MMA; Your in real close with that one and crossed up a touch;big shot to your left temple is openif you fuk up. If your left glove had that position on his left bicep, you've got his balance too; you'd fold your arm into an elbow to his right eye and sweep his legs out if he moved.

Originally Posted by Rocky Balboa

I was sparring (kinda: hooks only) with this guy. Whenever I throw a left hook to the head, he'd duck down and throw a bomb to the body. I was lucky I can take good punches to the body . My problem was I couldn't think of any way to avoid these counterpunches. I still am baffled as to what to do... so... any suggestions? thnx

Avoiding the right to the body is pretty simple , if you read the KID THUNDER BOXING MANUAL , he avoids it by , getting knocked out from the first jab , going down for the full count . thus avoiding the following right hook to the body.

Thanks guys, I wouldn't normally lead with a left hook but it was a hooks-only round so I didn't have much of a choice.

...I would start off with a combination to his body so you could keep your guard covering your head and body.

You can also throw a left uppercut/hook to the body (your elbow is still close to your side) inside of their right hook to the body which will block their shot at the same time.

Ahha how about ride with the hook and spinning back fist .

Its getting late, Im off to bed.