







Original photo by Steve Bauzen (1)

The Check Hook to Head Kick. I n this series, Boxing Hooks to Head Kicks, I will list commonly used boxing hooks that lead to head kicks in Muay Thai or Kickboxing fights.



Part 1

We analyze how Andy Souwer was able to score a knockdown against Ristie by using the check hook to set up the head kick.

















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Opposite hand, opposite leg.

3) 7) A common phrase thrown around Kickboxing and Muay Thai gyms. When we walk, our anatomical planeswork together to create a smooth flowing motion. Since evolution favors fighting and face shots, punching and kicking with the opposite sides work just as fluently as walking.







smarter than what I really am. ( Scientific looking pic so that I appearsmarter than what I really am. ( 2

The Check Hook

Often called the side step hook or confused with the shovel hook (which is a mix between an uppercut & hook that travels at a 45 degree angle). For the sake of simplicity I'm going to refer to the check hook as an interrupting boxing counter used when you step back and land a hook against an opponent who's rushing in. Think matador spearing a rushing bull. The hook is timed to connect as your opponent misses and is tricked into a bad angle as you step back or pivot out.





Mayweather explaining the check hook against Hatton.







Gustavo Pugliese has his student demonstrate the check hook with a switch in the stance. Personally I'm not a fan of this type and haven't seen it done in a Muay Thai match yet.



Roufus calls it sidestep hook. When I was taught the check hook, it was to be used as a counter/interrupter as an opponent moves in. The side step hook was the term for when an opponent wasn't moving in. Different styles and influences lead to different names. I'm not much for policing which is the right name or not, but for the sake of simplicity I'll refer to the defense version (opponent moving in) as the check hook.





Check Hook to Head Kick

( fought Andy "The Machine" Ristie ( 5 ). Similar to racing for pink slips, the loser of this match had to legally change their name "Andy" into what ever the winner wanted. Ristie is a lengthy fighter who favors switching stances and shifting/stepping across to land his long knees & loopy punches. A good example of the check hook in kickboxing is when technical brawler Andy Souwer 6) fought Andy "The Machine" RistieSimilar to racing for pink slips, the loser of this match had to legally change their name "Andy" into what ever the winner wanted. Ristieis a lengthy fighter who favors switching stances and shifting/stepping across to land his long knees & loopy punches.









Angle + Power Arc Souwer uses the check hook as Ristie moves, the check hook puts Souwer in a superior position. Sorry for the crappy picture and kindergarten level photoshopping skills, but if you look at the pic below you can notice how Souwer's right side power arc (blue) is in great position to land, while Ristie's power arc (red) can not touch Souwer. Unless he throws some crazy spinning shit.









Using Their Forward Pressure Against Them.

Ristie, favors the southpaw stance and pushes Souwer to off balance, create space, and load up his power side.



when Ristie steps to push, Souwer uses the check hook. Which was nowhere near as powerful as Mayweather's.



Ristie is in bad position and must adjust to hit Souwer.





Ristie circles in to face his opponent but gets suckered into the direct path of Souwer's kick.



