Rear hook kick tutorial for martial arts
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Rear Hook·Nicholas Meyers (Imperatives Martial Arts)·Added by Admin
This will be the last upload for the day. I wanted to show you the difference between a common low-kick as opposed to a …
Rear Hook
Genusリアフック(Ria Fukku)
TransliterationTranslation: rear hook
Overview
History & Origin
The rear hook is thrown with the back hand in a horizontal arc, combining the power of the rear hand with the hooking trajectory. [1] Less commonly used than the lead hook due to the greater distance the rear hand must travel, the rear hook is nevertheless a potent weapon when set up correctly. [1] Dempsey described the rear hook as requiring a preliminary shift of weight to the lead foot, followed by explosive rotation back through the hips and shoulders. [1] The rear hook has been a finishing weapon for fighters with exceptional power, including George Foreman, whose rear hooks were considered among the heaviest punches in boxing history. [2]
Effectiveness
The rear hook generates more power than the lead hook due to the greater rotational distance available from the rear hip and shoulder, but it is slower to arrive and easier to see. [1] It is most effective when preceded by a lead-hand technique that opens the opponent's guard on the opposite side. [1]
Lineage
The rear hook uses the power hand for maximum force. [1]
Competition Record
The rear hook is a power punch used in boxing and MMA. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist
Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type
Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity
Position & Entry
From boxing stance (after jab-cross) — Rotate the lead hip, swing the lead arm in a horizontal arc, elbow at 90°, target the jaw or body
As counter (check hook) — Pivot on the lead foot as the opponent charges in, throw the hook while stepping off the centre line
From short range — In close range or clinch, shorten the arc and use hip rotation for a tight hook
Variants
Standard hook — horizontal-arc punch targeting the jaw or temple
Tight hook — compact, short-range hook for close-quarters fighting
Body hook — targeting the ribs or liver with a downward-angled hook
Check hook — pivoting on the lead foot while throwing the hook as a counter
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Hooks/uppercuts; generate rotational force, high KO rate (Walilko et al. 2005)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
Kyokushin — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— 1 point
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— ITF — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permi...
ITF Competition RulesPDF— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The rear hook is thrown with the back hand in a hooking arc — it carries more power than the lead hook due to the greater rotational distance
✓Rotate the rear foot, hip, and shoulder simultaneously; the punch follows the same mechanics as a lead hook but from the rear side
✓The rear hook is unusual in boxing but common in MMA and kickboxing, often thrown after a missed jab by the opponent
✓It naturally follows a lead hook: left hook-right hook (or "hook-hook") creates a double attack on both sides of the guard
✓Use the rear hook when the opponent covers up against your lead hook — the rear hand wraps around to the other side
✓Keep the elbow at 90 degrees and drive with the hip, just as with the lead hook
✓The rear hook is excellent after a ducked cross: you throw the cross, the opponent ducks, and the rear hook swings over their guard as they rise
Common Mistakes
!Over-rotating on the rear hook so you end up squared or with your back partially turned
!Not setting up the rear hook with a lead-side attack first — it travels farther and is easier to see coming
!Throwing it with a straight arm, which turns it into a wide, looping haymaker
!Dropping the lead hand during delivery — the lead hook counter is the most dangerous reply to a rear hook
!Throwing the rear hook from too far away — you must be in mid-range where the arc connects at the right distance
!Neglecting to retract the fist to guard after the punch — the long rotation tends to leave the hand out
!Telegraphing with an obvious weight shift to the lead foot before releasing the rear hook
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Setup with Straight Punch — use a jab or cross to occupy the opponent's guard
2Pivot the Lead Foot — rotate on the ball of the foot to generate hip torque
3Arc the Arm — swing the fist in a horizontal arc at the target angle
4Follow Through — drive through the target and return to guard position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Boxing (Fleischer, 1958)
2BookThe Boxing Register (Roberts & Skutt, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Boxing (Fleischer, 1958)
5CitationThe Boxing Register (Roberts & Skutt, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip rotation, horizontal arm acceleration, tight elbow angle
Favours
compact build for short-range hooks, strong core
Key muscles
obliques, hip rotators, pectorals, biceps, forearms
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a rear hook kick and a rear low kick?
According to Nicholas Meyers, the rear low kick and hook kick are two entirely different motions. The low kick is more of a sport variety, while the hook kick offers different tactical advantages.
How should I position my hands and body when throwing a rear hook kick?
Nicholas Meyers emphasizes bringing your hands to your face and solidifying your body mass by bringing it all in, which allows you to be ready to punch immediately after the kick lands.
What should I do immediately after throwing a rear hook kick?
Get your foot down on the ground as quickly as possible and be ready to punch, as the rear hook kick should transition smoothly into striking combinations rather than being an isolated technique.
How does the Rear Hook work?
A hook thrown with the rear hand, requiring greater hip rotation and weight transfer to generate power through a longer arc from the rear position.
Where does the Rear Hook come from?
The rear hook is thrown with the back hand in a horizontal arc, combining the power of the rear hand with the hooking trajectory. Less commonly used than the lead hook due to the greater distance the rear hand must travel, the rear hook is nevertheless a potent weapon when set up correctly.
Is the Rear Hook legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — punches are the core technique of boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, jodan/chudan punch scores 1 point (yuko) — controlled contact required; Kyokushin: restricted — Body punches legal at full power, head punches banned; WT: restricted — Punches to trunk only (1 point), punches to head banned; ITF: legal — Legal — hand techniques to head and body both permitted; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal — full power punches to head and body; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Rear Hook?
Danger rating 6/10. High — hooks/uppercuts; generate rotational force, high KO rate (Walilko et al. 2005)
How do I set up the Rear Hook?
The standard setup chain: Setup with Straight Punch → Pivot the Lead Foot → Arc the Arm → Follow Through.
How do I defend against the Rear Hook?
Standard counters include: Slip — move the head off the centre line to evade the punch / Parry — deflect the incoming punch with a quick hand redirection / Counter Cross — time a straight punch over the incoming attack.
What are the variants of the Rear Hook?
Common variants: Standard hook (horizontal-arc punch targeting the jaw or temple); Tight hook (compact, short-range hook for close-quarters fighting); Body hook (targeting the ribs or liver with a downward-angled hook); Check hook (pivoting on the lead foot while throwing the hook as a co…).
How effective is the Rear Hook in competition?
The rear hook is a power punch used in boxing and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Rear Hook?
Top errors to watch for: Over-rotating on the rear hook so you end up squared or with your back partially turned / Not setting up the rear hook with a lead-side attack first — it travels farther and is easier to see coming / Throwing it with a straight arm, which turns it into a wide, looping haymaker / Dropping the lead hand during delivery — the lead hook counter is the most dangerous reply to a rear hook.
What are other names for the Rear Hook?
The Rear Hook is also known as Ria Fukku, Right Hook, Rear Kagi Tsuki, Power Hook.