Midrange Left Hook (Question for Fran)

[Fran@myboxingcoach]

Hey Herb

As usual, very thought-provoking and considered questions, I wanted to have a good think before responding. Here We go!

Midrange Left Hook Video and article on MyBoxingCoach.Com :
The Left Hook at Mid-Range - The Text Book Punch! | MYBOXINGCOACH.COM

Nice video and good explanation.

Would you (Fran mainly, but others also) please discuss the following question(s):

1) The move (as demonstrated) STARTS with the push by the leading leg which translates into hip turn to generate the power.

Would this DELIVER more power on the target if the hand motion -- i.e., getting the glove up with the L-bend almost at the target -- STARTED first, so that the hip motion was generated right before and as the glove is contacting the target?

If so, what would be the disadvantage of this (same motion, just changing the initiation sequence to conserve the hip power until ready to deliver it) or the advantages of doing it in the order given?

It feels like this is a question of acceleration, albeit that the answer is not black and white as I do believe that you have made a very good point here. At mid-range, I think by leaving the hip rotation later in the move may result in the fist travelling at a consistent speed rather than accelerating, and I think that this consistent speed might be slower. But, and this is a big but, I believe that at short range your approach may very well work quite well. Given that by definition the range and therefore distance travelled is shorter, then the delayed hip rotation is likely to add power at the expense of speed (the impact of the loss of speed is negligible given the shot only travels 6 inches or so.) It's something I'm aware of when using the Maize Bag. I'll give this more thought, but great point Herb.

2) Another (related) issue: I understand the explanation give for not trying to deliver too much power with the midrange hook and thereby transferring the weight onto the front foot.

Given this, where is the power coming from if the hip has already turned and the hand moves directly alongside (not towards) the target and finishes almost as soon as it moves through the target? I.E., if the hip turn has completed and the arm isn't doing the work, where is the work done?

Don't forget, even without performing an inside slip, there's quite a bit of torque stored after the rotation. The shoulders are aligned toward the target and the hooked arm still has a few inches to travel. Getting this shot right is about speed and timing.

3) On a different focus: In the "slipping" video, you state explicitly that the left or INSIDE SLIP is very similar to the right cross without the punch (same hip and leg movements to move the head over).

Is the (right or) OUTSIDE SLIP (almost) the same as the Midrange hook without the hook punch?

In short, yes, but with a conscious, very slight, tilt of the upper body to the right. The right leg bends slightly more also. The inside slip is identical to a right cross, the outside slip is very similar to a hook, but with a little extra.

Hope this helps Herb, as always, thanks very much for you analysis. It really helps me a great deal.

Cheers

Fran