Training hooks/spin hooks

[Dave]

Hey guys, I've been changing and updating some of my tricks and now I really need to get a soild hook kick happening. Right now I can only hook [with 'correct form', foot parallel to ground, etc.] at chest height/lower sometimes.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any sites/sources which go through training for nice high hook kicks?

My only ideas right now are start doing side leg lifts [the only ones I neglected in the beginning :dead:] and keep drilling hooks.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

[joepaxton]

You probably just need to work on flexibilty, check up on juji's article then focus on exercises working and stretching adductors and hip flexors etc.

I'm the same though to be honest, my flexibility sucks.:punched:

[iFail]

Only thing for hooks you really need is flexibility. Other than that , it's easy , especially if you just use it to gain momentum and not technique wise (TKD , or other MAs that equip hook kick in their arsenal).

[Skilzat85X]

Just stretch more and keep practicing them as high as you can without compromising techniques.

Dynamic stretch stretch stretch. Practice the other kicks that are easy to go high (which require less technique) like crescents and high front or just swinging your leg up high and crap. Also side lifts to various degrees.

Don't neglect static stretching either, because it will keep you from getting strained and pulling stuff and crap.

[Dave]

Ok thanks guys, I probably should have mentioned that my inward and outward crescents/rounds are all at a level which I am happy with [above head height, full extention, etc.] it is just the hooks which is the problem.

Seems as I thought, I'll do side leg lifts and keep drilling hooks, when my side leg lifts are higher everything should be cool.

Thanks again.

[Skilzat85X]

When it comes to getting them as high as possible for spinning hooks, don't be afraid to straight-leg 'em. That is to say, don't be afraid to do a wheel kick instead of the chambered hook kick. If it builds the required dynamic flexibility, power, and height, then you can just focus on adding the chamber later (if you want, lots of people don't worry about a deep spinning hook chamber in tricking).

[shengoikee]

i think people should post there spin hooks when giving advice just for reference haha....

where's jay at i wonder

[Just James]

Basic kicks

Grant - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNOU4wnJtU
Jay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAOIK9Hhe2Y

Hope you guys don't mind me posting these. Good examples of spin hook kicks!

[Dave]

Thanks man! When I am un-capped I'll watch them.

Here's another question, I thought about this because when I try c720's now, a new way for me [the proper way with pumping/etc.] I always end up throwing out a low crappy hook kick. So I thought, hey I should work on getting nice hook kicks. But now I'm thinking, perhaps I should just be working on my c720's such that I can throw a nice wheel/crescent :agony:. Any ideas on this? Is it dumb to skip out learning a "true' hook kick and sticking to what I can already do?

I feel a lot stupider after posting this, but hopefully you understand what I'm talking about.

[Skilzat85X]

Just do a crescent with that, most people can't throw a roll good hook out of it anyways. Just do whatever comes natural to you.

Anyways here's a crappy vid of some of my "hook" practice weeks ago:
http://www.divshare.com/download/4494463-e35
I do 3 slooow kicks for the technique, then 2 regular spinning "hooks", then a Round > Hook (same leg). I don't have a fully powered trying-to-go-fast hook on film right now, hmm.

I'm obviously stilllll practicing these even now, if you notice my regular spinning hooks are just wheels as there's no chamber. That's why I tried the 3 slow chambered spinning hooks. I can do regular non-spinning hooks chambered just peachy, but when it comes do doing them at regular speed from a spin I always straight-leg 'em. Some people say not worry, and I'm not too worried, but I'll be happier when I can do a fully chambered spinning hook anyways.

At any rate, usually tricks like C720 set you up with a chambered leg due to the nature of the move anyways. For example I don't practice chambered outside crescents that much, but my C720 always chambers just cause it feels like it, yay.
Also, wheels are suitable enough for gaining momentum for a combo, like hooks. Although, I still want to be able to do them interchangeably which is why I still practice them.

When I stop being sore I'm gonna work on them some more. Thankfully I have a gym membership now, and there's places with mirrors where I can actually observe my form in real time, therefore those should help even more. Yay!

[Dave]

Hmmm interesting, thanks for your thoughts skilzat. I think I'll train hooks, wheels and c720's tomorrow and see how it goes.

[Skilzat85X]

Oh yea that's another thing. Practice the hooks SLOWLY at first, then speed them up after.

[Dave]

Here's an old, non-pumped c720. I'd be pretty happy if I could do a kick like that in my new c720's, a bit better range of motion though. Pumping is :agony: haha.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3420/ld93251dd8881f611bbffe3iu1.gif

[Dantess]

-Thanks for using mine as an example James!! :D-

I'll try 'n give some pointers for you Dave:
When I was waiting to get back into training after my injury, I set myself a little thing to do that really changed my hook kicks;

If you have something to lean on, (wall, stairway thing whatever) and a mirror in front of it (don't need a mirror but it helps) everytime you walk past that place, start in the stance you would for a normal spin hook.

Turn, as you would usually do, slowly, lean on the whatever with your hand and turn to face the target (mirror! :D) now hold that position with your leg chambered really high for about 10-15 seconds.

Extend your leg about 3-4 inches before the kick would pass your face as slow as possible and don't worry about gettin it really high for now, just as high as you can whilst keeping control of the speed.

Whilst extending, point your toes or put your foot into sidekick position (depending on whether you want to hook with the sole of the foot or heel) and go through the motion of the hook kick as slow as you possibly can, concentrating heavily on the rechamber.

Once you've done that keep turning with your shoulders and place your foot on the ground. Amazing. haha. Now do that at least 3-5 times EVERYtime you pass that place and stick to it!

Practise basic kicking every night if you can; run through the technique again, slowly, then drill 'em full speed. Pretty soon you should get 'em really sharp! Also another thing; watch many videos of Ben Brown frame-by-frame haha, if you have his tutorial DVD his spin hook on that could kill an elephant o_0

Hope it helps! Oh and another thing, about the c720, throw whatever kick you want out of it, it's up to your personal preference. It's rare to see someone with a hook out of c720 so why don't you chase that!! :D

[shengoikee]

yesss listen to jay! :good::smile:

[Dave]

Thanks heaps Dantess! I will definitely start doing that and see how it goes. Thanks again for your time.