Boxing combinations are more than simply a series of punches.
Strategy is needed even for something as basic as swinging your arms around. First you’ll need punches to open up your opponent. Then you’ll need punches to take advantage of the openings.
But what punches should you be throwing?
And in what order?
And where do you aim them?
Learn how the basic boxing combination works.
What is the Basic Punch Combo?
The basic boxing combination:
Jab, right cross, left hook, right cross. (1-2-3-2)
Watch my video to see how I throw the basic punch combo.
1. The JAB sets it up
The jab is your number one punch. It’s your longest and fastest weapon, making it perfect for starting every combination. Although it doesn’t do much damage, it doesn’t leave you as vulnerable to counters either. This is why you should probe your oppponent with the jab and not commit to anything else until you see an opening. Just about every coach you meet will say:
Everything comes off the jab.
Using the JAB
- Use the jab to create openings for your right cross.
- Throw it straight at your opponent’s face.
- Or throw it as his body.
- Or throw it anywhere else to feint him and make him shift his guard.
2. The RIGHT CROSS causes the damage
The right cross, usually thrown from your dominant hand, is easily your strongest punch and flows naturally after the jab. Although it leaves you a little more vulnerable, the right cross has best power and reach of any punch. For many fighters, an effective 1-2 combination is all they really need.
The right cross is your longest power punch.
Using the RIGHT CROSS
- Throw it right after the jab.
- Aim it at the head or body.
- The right cross is to hurt your opponent.
3. The LEFT HOOK opens the side angle
The left hook naturally follows the right cross, giving you the first power punch from your lead hand.
The left hook is particularly dangerous because it comes from a side angle making it harder to see and harder to defend. It’s speed can surprise many because the front hand is closer to the opponent. The side angle can cause more damage because it increases the likelihood of your punch turning your opponent’s head which increases the concussive effect. Because of your boxing stance, the left hook is also the most effective punch for targeting the body.
The drawback is that the left hook doesn’t have great range and can leave you vulnerable when you miss. Then again, that’s why you don’t throw this punch until the opportunity is presented. The tricky left hook is most useful when you’re in range of the opponent and have a punching rhythm established.
The left hook is dangerous
because of it’s tricky side angle and versatility.
Using the LEFT HOOK
- The left hook causes damage after the right cross.
- The left hook can open him up if he blocks your first couple punches.
- The left hook can target the head or body.
4. The RIGHT CROSS finishes the combination
Finish up all your combinations with the right hand. As long as you’re looking to attack rather than to defend, it should be natural to finish all your combinations with your best power punch.
- The jab opens him up.
- The right cross causes damage.
- The left hook opens up a second attack angle.
- The right cross hurts him again.
- And if you like…add more punches at the end such as a jab to establish range again, or even another power punch.
Master the basic punch combo,
then start creating your own.
Right now your goal is to memorize and practice this combo. With time, you’ll learn how to change little details to make it more effective. You’ll learn why it’s natural and why it works so well. Whether beginner or advanced, everyone uses this basic punch combo.
In a few days, I’ll release another guide to teach you how to create your own killer punching combinations.
Nice breakdown, Johnny. I usually end my combinations with a jab to cover my exit. I’ll try ending with a cross instead and see how it feels on me. 🙂
You’re not doing anything wrong, O.G. Zolas! But yes, try to finish with the cross and if you need–use an evasive movement to get out. It’s easier to escape after throwing a right hand if you commit to the right hand so that he commits to his defense.
help. I am fat I cant fight
You can fight even if you’re not perfectly lean.
Thanks Johhny, I’ve started boxing around 2 weeks ago and i’ve read at least 30 of your articles, with your How To Be Great Series to be life changing, thanks for all the articles including updates like these, much appreciated. 🙂
wasn’t this already an article or am i just imagining things
You might have seen the video before but the article wasn’t written until recently.
Thanks Johnny, very usefull combo 😉
Good instruction in the 1-2-3-2 the 3( lft hook) He may need to turn His lft hook over ( in a amateur match) he may be called for slapping, I was 25 years ago,
what is a gravatar.
It allows you to have an avatar image so that when you leave comments on my site, you have a unique picture show up instead of the same image on the left of your comment that everyone has. (blue square image sketch of a boxer throwing a jab)
Hey, Johnny, I’m Shiro. I’ve been using your website to help me in boxing and it has really helped me out, I’ve improved dramatically within a month of my return to boxing even without my trainers help(Since I train in a group he usually just makes us do an exercise or a combo and leaves for a while)and I want to become a pro boxer, I’m just 16 but I want to pursue this goal so I was wondering if you could do an article on “Roadwork”.
I read your article about eating right and that has really motivated me to get my lifestyle on the right path so in order to do that I need to do roadwork but I can’t seem to find any in depth guide on roadwork, I’ve seen a few things and I’d be very happy if you could make a guide on roadwork, that is to say how long you should run, what exercises you should do and so on.
So please Johnny if you could do this then that would be wonderful, also this article has been very insightful ^^, oh and one more thing, since I am serious about boxing, should I take a Dance or Ballet class on saturday or sunday?(I train 5 times a week so this is the only time I could practice Ballet or Dancing), thanks :).
I would be happy to write the roadwork article. It’ll take me some time but you’ll definitely see one in the future. And yes, I highly recommend a ballet class if you have extra time. It’ll fix so much of your posture.
Alright, thanks, I guess I should consider it then ^^, will be pretty embarrassing if I’ll take a ballet class though, considering I’ll probably be the only guy haha, and I’ll be on the lookout for the roadwork article, hopefully you’ll make it some time soon.
Go in there as the only guy. And when the girls ask you what you’re doing there, tell them you’re doing it to improve your boxing. They will be impressed, and tell you they’ve never tried it. And then you take them boxing and then to out to dinner after. Quit being a pansy. 😉
Haha, you make it sound way too easy, but I suppose telling them I’m doing it for boxing would be an okay solution and I doubt many girls would want to try boxing anyway :D.
The girls don’t care about boxing, man. They’ll just want to hang out with you because you’re the only guy around.
Arent u supposed bring your shoulders up to cover your chin from your jab?
This video is to focus on the punching combination. I’m not concerned about the technique here but yes, activate your shoulders with every punch.
First time on your website and I am loving it. I did find some useful tips and advice especially here. Thank you very much for the useful information.
Johnny,
Can you tell me your opinion on who really won the Hagler vs Leonard fight ???
Well, I don’t see the fight too different from others and I’ve heard it explained from many angles. It all depends what you like more. If you want to count points and pitty pat shots, Leonard wins. If you want to count the harder punches and actual aggression, Hagler wins. Both are very respectable.
hey johnny,
You’re pretty adamant about ending combinations with the right cross. Russ Anber, who is a trainer I respect a lot, is really adamant about finishing your combinations with the left hand (usually a hook). Do you happen to know why that is? I also think in general his training style seems to involve more looping shots than yours.
Hey, this is only a basic guide. It’s not supposed to be a rule. In regards to ending with a right hand or left hand, it doesn’t matter as long as you know why you’re doing it.
I like to tell people to finish with a right hand because it puts them in more of an aggressive mindset and forces them to commit to a finishing power shot.
On the other hand, finishing with a left hand is good because it rotates your body back into your defensive position…whereas if you finished with the right hand, you’d be rotated into your opponent and a little more vulnerable. Finishing with a punch like the jab or left hook is a good way to keep your opponent at bay by attacking him as you come back into a defensive position.
if i practice this combinations in the heavy bag for a long time it will be natural?
Hi Johny,
Really understandable and reasonable breakdown. Thanks.
I’m 43 YO, male. I an Tabata interval practice and very tight in business trip. I start to love and include boxing in TABATA due to its simplicity in technique and usefull in daily life.
Do you have any effective tabata bodyweight exercises for building speed, strength and stamina?
Many thanks.
Hi Johny,
Really understandable and reasonable breakdown. Thanks.
I’m 43 YO, male. I an Tabata interval practice (3x in a week) and very tight in business trip. I start to love and include boxing in TABATA due to its simplicity in technique and usefull in daily life.
Do you have any effective tabata bodyweight exercises for building speed, strength and stamina?
Many thanks.
Johnny,
I am a beginner boxer (3 months of training) and I have some problems with this combo. It is related to distance. Throwing jab-cross-left hook part is ok but last cross generates the problem. I will try to explain.
To throw left hook I need to step-in a little bit and then I am too close to fully extend my right arm while I am shooting cross punch. While I am watching you shootong this combination on youtube you first shoot quite short hook and then full lenght cross which is not possible form this distance. Probably this is just an lack of precision because you are not covering the propper distance topic…
So I am trying to resolve this problem myself and I can see few possibilities. First – I should fire much longer hook and then I can shoot propper cross. Second – I should fire whatever hook but shorten my cross with arm not fully extend. Third – I should make short step back (or to the right, I am orthodox fighter) and the fire the cross. Which option should I choose or what am I missing?
Generally it would be useful to read an article covering distance topic but I understand that I should wait in line… 🙂
Clear papa am also aboxer since 2017 its now 3 years in boxing and i want to learn new techniques.
Good.