The hook answers the bouncer at chest-to-head height: back foot goes back and across, your head moves inside the line, and the ball is helped on its way with a horizontal bat, behind square on the leg side. It's the pull's high-risk sibling — same swivel, higher contact, later decision — and the golden rule is you hook from INSIDE the line, never from underneath the ball.
Hip-to-chest height in front of square is a pull. Above chest height, taken behind square with the ball's own pace, is a hook. The pull is a percentage shot; the hook is a choice you make against genuine pace — and "not hooking" is a perfectly good professional answer. Duck or sway if you haven't committed early.
Groove the swivel against a tennis ball or soft incrediball first — a feeder standing close, lobbing at shoulder height, is enough to build the back-and-across + swivel pattern. Only take it to hard-ball pace once ducking and swaying are automatic, and always in a helmet. In a net, tell the bowler you're working on short stuff: consent makes the practice useful.
Because a front-foot base against a chest-high ball puts your head under the line with no escape. Weight back is what lets you sway out late if the bounce surprises you.
Against medium pace with a fielder back, usually not — the pull in front of square scores off the same ball with half the risk. Learn the hook so the bouncer doesn't own you, then use it selectively.
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