One little tip that I have been successfully performing in my hooks of late is sliding my elbow forward right after the go even so far as to remove my elbow from the pad for a split second. While this is technically illegal, no one can catch it except in slow motion video (in fact, that is how I learned how to do it). The advantage of this technique is that it allows you to force someone into a hook when they are trying not to hook. You just jump out and grab them and - bingo - you are in a hook. Travis Bagent used to use this technique successfully and even uses it some today.
You probably already know this, but using the entire pad is very important. Once you have forced the hook, you want to slide your elbow all the way across the pad, which helps greatly in getting the pin.
Gregory
i was just wondering what should i do when i hook after the first hit should i cram my elbow into the pad and try to power the opponent over or should i float my elbow and slide it toward the dircection i'm pulling?
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