Combination punching is the art of linking single punches into sequences — and it's where boxing becomes both more effective and more interesting. These 10 combinations are the foundational sequences that most boxing coaches teach in the first weeks of training. Learn them in order.
Number notation: 1 = Jab, 2 = Cross, 3 = Lead Hook, 4 = Rear Hook, 5 = Lead Uppercut, 6 = Rear Uppercut (for orthodox/right-handed stance)
Combo 1: 1-2 (Jab-Cross)
The foundational combination. Everything in boxing starts from 1-2. The jab sets up distance and disrupts the opponent's vision; the cross follows with the rear hand's power. Drill this thousands of times. Never stop drilling it.
Combo 2: 1-1-2 (Jab-Jab-Cross)
Two jabs before the cross. The first jab probes, the second jab closes distance slightly, the cross lands. The double jab disguises the cross's timing — after a single jab-cross pattern, opponents expect the cross on the second punch. Two jabs disrupts that anticipation.
Combo 3: 1-2-3 (Jab-Cross-Lead Hook)
The first three-punch combination most coaches teach. The lead hook comes off the cross — as the cross lands and the rear shoulder rotates forward, the lead shoulder is in position to rotate back into a hook. Flows naturally if the 1-2 is mechanically correct.
Combo 4: 1-2-3-2 (Jab-Cross-Hook-Cross)
Add a second cross after the hook. The hook turns the body to the left, loading the rear shoulder for a powerful finishing cross. This is one of the most used four-punch combinations in boxing.
Combo 5: 2-3-2 (Cross-Hook-Cross)
Start with the rear hand. Powerful three-punch combination used when the opponent is close and the jab would lack range. The cross-hook-cross flows through a natural hip rotation.
Combo 6: 1-6 (Jab-Rear Uppercut)
Jab then dip slightly and drive the rear uppercut upward. The dip loads the legs for the uppercut and makes the combination harder to see coming. Effective against opponents who guard high after the jab.
Combo 7: 1-2 to the body, 1-2 to the head
High-low variation — jab-cross to the body first (opponent drops guard), then jab-cross to the head. This is the fundamental high-low principle in boxing: make the opponent protect low, then go high. Requires bending the knees to reach body level — don't just drop the punches.
Combo 8: 1-3-2 (Jab-Lead Hook-Cross)
Jab, immediate lead hook, then finishing cross. The jab keeps the opponent's guard up, the hook comes around it from the side, the cross finishes through the opened guard. A more advanced combination that rewards good jab mechanics.
Combo 9: 3-2-3 (Lead Hook-Cross-Lead Hook)
Hook to open, cross through the middle, hook to close. All three punches come from different angles — side, straight, side. Effective at close range where straight punches have less room to travel.
Combo 10: 1-2-3-body (Jab-Cross-Hook-Body Cross)
Three punches to the head, finish to the body. The head punches draw guard up; the body cross at the end targets the now-exposed liver. One of the most fight-ending sequences in boxing when landed correctly.
How to Drill Combinations
Learn each combination slowly on the bag or in shadow boxing before adding power. Once mechanics are correct, add speed. Add power last. The sequence is always: correct pattern → faster pattern → powerful pattern.
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