Crazy Monkey Defense

When I first learnt about hooks, I thought it was about any punch that looped around in an outside arc. The kind of punches you see in bar brawls and untrained fighters.

A proper hook is actually a close-ranged punch. Its power comes from the from the heel and the twisting motion of the hip. It's a very devastating punch but it requires a lot of positioning to pull off properly.

A lead hook is easier to pull off as it's not as easy to read and the distance to the target is shorter.

A good way to enter into a hook is to slip to the outside while he punches and land a hook. Being a southpaw, it's easier for me to slip to the outside of his jab to hook. Instead of slipping, you can also jab while entering while prepping for a hook.

An uppercut is different in that you have to lower your weight first and then spring up from your hips to deliver a punch, ideally to the chin. The hand is also kept tight. Due to the way the hand drops down and the angle of the punch, a rear uppercut is easier to do then a lead uppercut. It took requires the closing of distance and it is ideal to open up with jabs, crosses before attempting an uppercut.