Hook
A label for several curving actions across sports — a bent-arm punch in boxing, a strongly curving ball in golf or bowling, and a cross-batted pull in cricket.
Definition
Hook names several actions united by the idea of a curve or arc. In boxing it is a bent-arm punch swung horizontally at the side of the target, one of the sport's principal power punches alongside the cross and uppercut.
In golf a hook is a ball flight that curves sharply — right-to-left for a right-hander — often unintended and the opposite of a slice. Cricket's hook shot is a cross-batted stroke played to a short, rising delivery aimed toward the leg side, while in ten-pin bowling a hook is a ball that curves down the lane to strike the pins at a stronger angle. In each case the label reflects a pronounced curving motion rather than a single shared technique.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Boxing
- A punch thrown in a short horizontal arc with a bent arm, typically targeting the side of the head or body.
- Golf
- A shot that curves strongly in flight — for a right-handed player, from right to left — usually unintended.
- Cricket
- The hook shot, a cross-batted stroke played to a short, rising ball aimed toward the leg side.
- ten pin bowling
- A delivery that curves as it travels down the lane, letting the ball strike the pins at a stronger angle.
Where you’ll hear “hook”
Sports that use this term:
Boxing
A striking combat sport built on footwork, timing and conditioning, practised from fitness drills to controlled sparring.
Golf
A precision target sport played across an outdoor course, blending skill, strategy and a long walk in the open air.
Cricket
A bat-and-ball team sport where sides take turns to bat and to bowl and field, scoring runs.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Hook in the wider knowledge graph.
Commonly confused with
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Hook to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Skills
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
- CatchingThe skill of cleanly securing a ball travelling through the air or off the ground.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
- LayupA close-range basketball shot taken while moving toward the basket, laying the ball softly off the backboard or over the rim.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
Equipment
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
- Golf clubA shafted club with a specialised head used to strike the ball around a golf course.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
Skills Academy
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.
- Precision skillsSkills where accuracy is everything — placing a serve, a shot, a pass or a set exactly where you want it.
Rules
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
- LetA call that stops a point and has it replayed without penalty, used across several racket sports.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
Tactics
- Full-court pressAn aggressive basketball defence that pressures the ball across the whole court to force turnovers.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- Pacing strategyPlanning how to distribute effort across a race so energy lasts the full distance without fading.