This thread took a real downturn when it entered Nevada...
so I hesitate to even make a reply. But here goes:
For me the obvious hook is when a player has one arm leading the move and the other arm beginning the dribble. If I see that the leading arm is only out to prevent the defender from being able to make legal defensive moves... player control foul.
The not so obvious is when both hands are on the ball as he pivots and the arm is not extended much more than just the elbow. If the offensive player catches the defender with this simple pivot then the defender is likely too close to realistically make any defensive move and is easily beat whether the elbow was out or not... I'm not going to call any foul on that. For a foul to be called here the offensive player has got to make a very obvious bump backwards against the defender and then pivot into the opening just created or make an exagerated elbow hook that pins the defender as that defender is legally trying to gain position.
I think it is the 'exagerated or not' decision that makes this a difficult call. An elbow can only be extended so far so what gets it into the gray area? Full extension might be alright. Half extension with a little lean might not. I think the decision really weighs in with what does the action do to the defender. Was the defender in a proper position and then loose ability to defend because of the elbow/hook - call a foul. Good move, defense was beat to begin with - don't call a foul.
My two bits... well maybe four.
