Working the body

The hook to the body is one of the most effective punches there is. For the puncher, it is a thing of beauty. Do it right, and your opponent is out for the count. However, like anything else in fight sports, it is easier said than done.

I should first mention, the hook to the body I’m discussing is the left hook to the body that comes from the orthodox stance against and orthdox fighter. I am aware things may differ from a southpaw perspective, but since I am an orthodox fighter, it is mostly appropriate to speak from this understanding. I first met the left hook to the body when training for my first fight. My trainer had brought in a guy to spar with me. He was 6ft tall and 120kg; when you see a guy that size you know they are going to hit hard. We got in the ring and to my surprise, he not only hit hard but was fast, flexible and light on his feet. In addition to these attributes, he would also throw up head kicks like his foot was made of metal and my head was a magnet. I blocked so many head kicks that I was bruising myself with my knuckles through the gloves. I noticed his elbows were high, so I just started throwing body shots. I stayed close to avoid getting kicked in the head. Then, out of nowhere, I landed a clean left hook to the liver and down he went – from that moment on I have worked and worked that punch.

Being one of my favourite punches, I have analysed it and worked out a few ways to make sure it lands. So, there are a few things you need to make this punch work. Firstly, their elbow needs to be away from their ribs; either with their hand up defending or while they are throwing a punch. The second element is the ability to drop people with the shot, which, either you, or you don’t, it does not seem to be a skill you can learn. In saying that though, I will discuss ways that make sure the punch is as effective as possible. Attacking the body can be a little scary as you have to get so close. To get around this, you have to set up the punch. To simplify it, you have two choices. You can either go in behind your punches or go in while they punch.

Firstly, going in while they punch: When you are in your standard fight distance, which is just out of range, it comes down to percentages and you just have to work them. At range there is a very good chance that they will throw a jab or a straight right, this means you set up all your movement to counter the jab or cross. For me, I do not guess what punch is coming correctly when sparring but as long as you don’t get hit then your first job is done. Your front foot and shoulder dictate which side you will go; if you want to land that left hook to the body then you need your left foot in line with their right foot. When you drive off your back foot, your goal is to get your right shoulder close to their right shoulder which results in your body being rotated in preparation for the left hook. Since your right shoulder is close to theirs, they cannot punch with their right hand. You then use the rotation to get power in to your left hook. After the hook to the body is thrown, it is all about recovery and getting out safely. You can double up with a left hook to the head or body or throw a straight right to the head. The most dangerous area here is getting in and out of range as this is the position when you can get caught with a counter shot.

Going in behind your punch: The biggest concern when moving in for the left hook to the body is walking into a right hand – this right hand could end your night. As a rule-of-thumb, if you are concerned about a counter punch, then throw a punch at the hand you think will counter. This means if you are going in behind your jab then you have to make sure your left foot is in line with their right foot and you throw the job at the right side of their head, which, in theory, will tie up their right hand with defence. Then you can step in without fear of getting caught with the right hand. As a second phase, I like to follow the jab with a short right hand. I take a step forward while throwing the right hand – this means it is not a straight right but rather a short right – I just want a punch to keep their head up and their defence tied up to make it’s safer to close the distance. Once the distance is closed and all going well, their hand should be up defending the right to the head, leaving the ribs exposed. Put the left hook smack into the ribs and use the double left hook or straight right to exit.

These are just two examples on how to set up that body shot; there are many more options. The main thing to keep in mind though, is footwork. To land this shot effectively, you have to know how to get in and then get out without getting hit. When closing the distance the concern is the right hand. And when exiting, the left hook is the big worry. This is why it is important to use angles to minimise the chances of being caught with counter punches.

There are a few ‘signposts’ I look out for in my opponents’ movements and reactions. If your opponent has planted their feet in front of you, then it is safe to assume they will be moving their head/shoulders. If this is the case, no set up is needed as they are just standing still for you. In regard to their movement, if their right shoulder is moving forward (or wants to) keep an eye on that as when it does move, that is your opportunity to move in for the hook. I pop out some jabs to get their head moving and wait for the opportunity. Once that opportunity arrives, I go in for the attack. However, most people use footwork and move around. This is when you need to get them against the ropes or the cage wall. Once they’re there, the perfect time to land that shot is when they lean forward a bit. This means their elbow comes forward and leaves that opening to land that punch to the liver. When under pressure, a lot of people lean forward when they’re caught against the ropes/cage. It is also quite nice if they lean back against the ropes, which again, opens up the ribs for a body shot. 

The left hook to the body is my favourite punch as it has gotten me out of a lot of tough spots. When you see people that really make it work, it is a thing of beauty. In world boxing right now, Katie Taylor has about the best body attack. If you want to work your body attacks, work your head movement and footwork. Above all, you need to have to confidence to attack the body as the payoff is well worth it.

Gareth Lewis

Head MMA Instructor