If you have already practiced the individual punches such as jab and upper cut regularly, you can start with technical training in boxing. We will show you the most important boxing combinations that you should definitely master.
What you will learn in this post:
- What is meant by punching technique in boxing
- How the individual beats are numbered
- How to do the box combinations correctly & when to use them
What is the punching technique in boxing?
In boxing, a punching technique is a methodical approach to opening the opponent's cover and ultimately landing a hit. The boxer uses different punches in combination to achieve his goal - the hit. Depending on the type of punch, speed and power, the punching technique is used to open up the opponent's cover or for the attack itself. In addition to the attacking posture, there is of course also the defensive posture in boxing, when you are primarily in cover and fend off the opponent's punches.
What are the punches in boxing?
In boxing, the punches are first distinguished according to their "course":
- As the name suggests, straight lines run in straight lines.
- The side hooks run sideways in a circle.
- The upper and lower hooks are vertical.
the jab
The jab is a straight hit with the leading hand. For most boxers, this is the left hand since they are right-handed and box left. If you want to learn more about your box display, we recommend this article. While aiming straight at the target with your outstretched arm, turn your hips in slightly and push yourself forward with the ball of your foot. Your hitting hand stays in front of your face for cover.
The Cross
The cross-punch is also referred to as a right straight, since it is carried out with the right hand in the normal display (left display). So you use the hitting hand (right hand) for this shot. Similar to the jab, your hips rotate as you push yourself off the ground with the ball of your foot. Your leading hand stays in front of your face as cover. The aim of the cross punch is to "cross" the opponent's cover, hence the name of the punch.
Hooks include:The left hook
With the left side hook, the left arm is not stretched, but rotates in the 90° position from the side to the opponent's head / body. A backswing does not take place with the hook. The shot is executed in a “short way”. The rotation of the hips and feet provides the necessary strength here.
The right hook
If you're boxing on the left, the right hook is made with the batting hand. This gives this punch enormous power. It, too, is supported by the rotation of the upper body and the foot.
Uppercuts include:The upper cut
The uppercut is one of the most difficult shots, as it requires you to expose some of your cover in preparation, leaving yourself vulnerable. Done correctly, this punch can cause quite a few KOs. You can make the upper cut without swinging back by hitting your bent arm up with your fist. It helps if you stretch your legs and upper body.
You can perform the upper cut with your hitting hand as well as with your leading hand. One also speaks of the right and left uppercut.
The Over Cut
The over cut is rarely used as a rule, since the opponent has to neglect his cover for this. You hit the hook from above. To do this, raise your bent arm to the level of your ears and throw the punch from above to the opponent's head.
Standard beat numbering
In boxing, punches are numbered. This makes it easier to train different punch combinations. We recommend that beginners speak the names of the punches out loud to make learning boxing combinations easier.
The following standard numbering is used in (professional) boxing (in the left display):- #1. Jab (left straight, lead hand)
- #2 Cross (right straight, batting hand)
- #3 Left hook (left side hook, lead hand)
- #4 Right hook (right side hook, punch hand)
- #5 Left uppercut (hook up, leading hand)
- #6 Right uppercut (bottom-up hook, punching hand)
The most important box combinations: design & purpose
With each punch combination, the boxer pursues a specific goal. In order to achieve this in sparring or competition, you must have internalized the combinations 100% - and of course know when to use which stroke technique.
Hitting Techniques: These are the basic boxing combinations
Box Combination #1: 1-1
Probably the simplest combination in boxing consists of two quick jabs in a row. Note that the jabs are quick and precise. You should complete the first jab, even if you want to quickly swing back to the second. After the first straight line, pull your arm back in front of your face with your leading hand. This is the only way you can keep your own cover.
The quick hits with the leading hand are intended to irritate the opponent and lure him out of his reserve. As soon as he changes his cover a little or swings out to strike himself, you have the opportunity to use other striking techniques and land a hit.
Box Combination #2: 1-2
The second boxing combo is a jab and a cross. So you first use the lead hand for the straight left and then the batting hand for the straight right (if you are on the left display). This punching technique may sound simple, but it is one of the most important boxing combinations of all. Because with the jab you can open the opponent's cover - even with several jabs in a row. Then, when he drops cover, land a solid hit with a hard hitting hand. In practice, this box combination often looks like this: 1-1-1-1-2 or 1-1-1-1-1-1-2. That all depends on when you've lured the opponent out of reserve and can swing your straight right. It is important that you also go slightly forward with the jab in order to get into the right position for the cross.
Box Combination #3: 1-2-3
Jab, Cross, Hook: With this combination it is important that the punches flow smoothly into each other. Because then you prepare the next one with every previous shot. Starting from the left display, jab your right hip outward. This is a good position to cross with your right batting hand. From the position you are now slightly bent forward, you can shift your weight backwards and hit the sideways hook with your leading hand.
Box Combination #4: 1-3-4
Before we add a fourth punch to the exercises, we'll show you a three-beat technique: jab, left hook, right hook. This combo is all about left-handling the opponent with jabs and left hooks. This will focus him on that side, dropping cover on the right side - the ideal time for your right hook. While your left arm is the main distraction here and you can reduce both speed and power, the right hook should come quickly and powerfully. So be sure to wait for the right moment when you've sufficiently worked on the opponent from the left.
Box Combination #5: 1-2-3-2
This punching technique has it all: First a light jab and then with great power a cross, a left hook and another cross. So you hit left, right, left, right (left display). If you land the punches correctly, you'll really confuse your opponent because you'll be working on him from both sides very quickly.
Box Combination #6: 1-2-3-3
This combination often takes a lot of practice as you have to deal with shifting your weight between punches. But if you have mastered the technique of jab, cross and two hooks, you will land good hits on the opponent. Jab and Cross open your opponent's cover. With the first hook towards the body, you ask the opponent to accept the blow or to lower the cover and thus deflect the blow. Both offer you the right opportunity for your second hook to the head. Because: If the opponent allows the body to be hit, he will lose his balance. Lowering his cover opens the target for your strike. Both are disadvantages for him.
Box Combination #7: 1-2-3-6
If you've spotted a gap in your opponent's cover or he's about to duck, you can use this combo to properly work him up: jab, cross, left hook, and right upper cut. Similar to the 5th box combination, you hit the opponent from both sides and make him sweat a lot. If he now wants to free himself from this situation by crouching, he lands exactly in the hitting hand, which now swings out for the uppercut.
Box Combination #8: 1-6-3-2
This striking technique is intended to surprise the opponent and throw him off course, because he certainly knows the basic combinations in boxing just like you do. Your jab is followed by an upper cut with the hitting hand, followed by a hook from the left and a straight from the right. It's not just working left, right, left, right that is exhausting for the opponent. The upper cut after the jab is also surprising, because most boxers expect the classic combination with the right straight after the jab.
Box Combination #9: 1-2-3-6-4
The number 7 already showed you the combination of jab, cross, left hook and right upper cut. With this punching technique, you complete the combination with a final right hook. If you execute the punches correctly, your right hook will always hit. Because no matter whether the opponent pulls their head up after the upper cut or takes cover, your right hook will be unexpected and effective. The combination is rare and therefore surprising for many boxers. In particular, the last two hits with the batting hand are unfamiliar.
It takes a lot, a lot of training to master the individual punch combinations perfectly. First of all, however, you must be able to execute the respective punches correctly. Only then can you effectively implement them in combination. Finally, you must not forget that your opponent has also learned these basic techniques in boxing and prepared himself with good counterattacks. So in order not to throw yourself off balance or drop guard on a box combo, you need to practice, practice, practice.
A classic punching bag is the ideal partner for solo training at home. But you can also practice your punch combinations on a Big Berta. If, on the other hand, you want to perfect your speed and hitting accuracy, we recommend a double-ended ball with the appropriate exercises.
Customers ask, we answer!
How do you box correctly?
First you should position yourself in your box display: your weak side is in front, your strong side is behind. Your feet are about hip-width apart, but not parallel, but slightly offset. A little tip: You should be able to do squats in this position without any problems.
How do you move in boxing?
The footwork is elementary in boxing in order to be able to dodge lightly and not lose your balance. In addition to placing your legs hip-width apart and in a slightly squatting position, the movement of your feet is particularly important: the foot that points the way is always placed first. That means: If you want to go forward, you go with the front foot first. If you want to go to the right, first step to the side with your right foot.
What makes a good boxer?
Boxing is never just a sport, but also requires a lot of concentration and mental strength. As soon as you are not careful, the opponent has sensed a chance and lands his hit. You should therefore always concentrate fully on boxing, both in terms of the execution of the punches and in relation to the movements of your opponent.