I spend a lot of time shadow boxing, hitting the heavy bag, or hitting pad flows on Saturdays.
Do this 6x days a week, for a year, and you start to develop reliable combinations you use time, and time again.
So I’ve went ahead and broken down 21 beginner boxing combinations that any newbie can pick up and add to their skillset.
These combos will be split into:
The more punches you add to a combo, the more taxing it will be. Therefore, it’s best to start off with the basic 2-piece combo, and build from there.
Let’s dive in.
These beginning combinations are perfect for those still navigating their way around the ropes.
They help build rhythm, speed and accuracy in executing punch sequences.
The jab and cross is a basic yet effective two punch combination. The jab sets up the power cross.
Throw a crisp jab to gauge distance and keep your opponent on the defensive. As soon as the jab lands, follow up quickly with your cross.
Twist your hips and shoulders to generate maximum power on the straight right.
This combo allows you to establish your offense with the jab before unleashing your strongest strike.
Master this fundamental building block to deploy more complex combinations.
The cross, left hook combo overwhelms your opponent's defenses.
The cross forces them to bring their gloves up.
Loop a left hook around their guard to find openings on the sides of their head.
The hook punishes them after blocking the cross up front.
The cross forces your opponent to cover up.
Throw a left hook around their raised guard to find openings. Rotate your body powerfully into the hook after landing the straight cross.
The right uppercut brings your opponent's guard up high.
Throw a left hook around their gloves to target their exposed head and chin.
This combo manipulates their defense to land the sneaky left hook that loops around the guard.
The left uppercut lifts your opponent's chin up.
Follow with a straight right down the middle while their head is exposed.
This combo punishes your opponent with an uppercut then cross counter.
The left hook brings your opponent's guard up.
Throw a right hook around their gloves targeting the other side of their head.
This double hook combo overwhelms their defense from both sides.
Be sure to do this combination quick, as you are prone to being countered with straight punches.
The left hook to the body brings your opponent's guard down.
Take advantage with a right hook to the exposed head.
This combo manipulates their guard to land the head shot after attacking the body.
The jab sets up the cross.
The cross brings their guard up.
Finish with a left hook around their gloves to the exposed head. Use footwork and hips to flow between the punches.
Ideally you want to be coming forward as you punch.
The first cross makes your opponent cover up. Throw a left hook around their guard.
Finish with another powerful cross down the middle while their guard is disrupted.
This combo is especially good if you’re an orthodox versing a southpaw.
Your crosses and left hooks line up perfectly against the southpaw stance.
The jab and cross bring your opponent's guard up high.
Punch a left uppercut under their gloves into the exposed body.
This 3 punch combo sets up the body shot after attacking the head.
The left uppercut lifts your opponent's head up.
Follow with a right uppercut through their open guard. Finish with a left hook as their hands come back down.
This combo manipulates their guard to land clean punches.
The double uppercut may also catch them off guard if they’re not ready for it.
Double jabs keep your opponent on defense and disrupt their rhythm.
As soon as the second jab lands, follow up with a powerful cross down the middle while they're out of position. Use the double jab to set up the finishing cross.
The jab sets up the heavy cross counter. Throw another quick jab before your opponent can recover their guard.
This maintains your offense after landing the big shot.
The jab keeps your opponent guarded up high. Follow up with a cross to the exposed body.
Come back up top with another quick jab to maintain your offense. This combo attacks high, low, high.
The quick level changes allows you to land a strong stiff jab at the end of the sequence.
This is a favourite of Manny Pacquiao as the additional “1” at the end catches most boxers off guard, especially if moving forward.
This four punch combo of alternating left and right hooks keeps your opponent off balance. It builds momentum to deliver a powerful finishing cross.
Rotate your hips and shoulders to generate power. Keep your guard up after punching. Step into the final cross for maximum impact.
The left and right uppercuts to the body force your opponent to lower their guard.
As they bring their hands down to protect their ribs, explode with a left hook to the head.
They will raise their guard to block, leaving them open for a right uppercut counter upstairs.
This combo punishes the body then exploits defensive openings at the head.
Double left uppercuts to the body force your opponent to drop their guard.
As they bring their hands down, counter with a right uppercut and left hook to the head. Attacking the body leaves their head exposed for hard counters.
The left uppercut and hook force your opponent to raise their guard. Punch through their gloves with a right uppercut to the body.
As they bring their hands back down to defend their ribs, counter with another left hook to the head.
This combo manipulates their guard to land punches upstairs and downstairs.
The left uppercut to the body brings your opponent's guard down. You can then take advantage with a left uppercut to the head.
Follow up with a right uppercut to the body and head to punish them upstairs and downstairs, but with your power hand this time.
Manipulating their guard allows you to land punches to both levels.
The left hook downstairs brings your opponent's guard down.
Exploit this opening with a left hook to the head, straight right cross, and another left hook. Attacking the body creates opportunities to land head shots after.
It’s also important to note that same-side combinations can make your boxing combinations trickier, and harder to predict.
The right and left uppercuts force your opponent to drop their guard to protect their body.
As they bring their hands down, throw another right uppercut to the exposed ribs.
Think of this as a “shoeshine” combination to the body.
Then, finish with a left hook to the head while their guard is lowered.
Punish the body then exploit openings at the head.
It's crucial to implement defensive movements after throwing a combination.
The point of boxing is to “hit and don’t get hit.” Which means you should be constantly “punching and moving”.
Always think to have an exit strategy after every punch or combination.
Here’s a breakdown of defensive movements you can use after throwing any of the above combinations:
Right off the execution of a two-piece, three-piece, or even four-piece combo, ensure you're out of the line of retaliation by performing a 'slip.'
It involves subtly moving or "slipping" your head either to the left or right. This slight movement can cause your opponent's counter punch to miss, giving you an opportunity to land another blow.
After landing your punches, immediately roll under a conceivable counterpunch.
This defensive manoeuvre involves bending at the waist and virtually rolling your body either to the left or right.
This body movement can help ensure you're not an easy target.
Rolls are best used after throwing hooks:
Performing pivots after throwing a combo can efficiently create angles to both attack and defend. A pivot involves turning on your front foot in either direction.
This key movement forces your opponent to reposition themselves in order to attack you, and in that moment of adjustment, you have the opportunity to land a punch or further evade their offensive.
Pivots are best used after straight punches:
Use push steps to move out of range after combinations. Step back or laterally to avoid counter punches.
Stepping creates distance to reset your stance and guard. It also sets up angles for continued offense.
The direction of your step depends on your opponent's positioning. Generally step back to exit punching range.
Push steps allow you to throw combos safely by repositioning out of danger. Mastering footwork and distance is key.
Think Naoya Inoue’s boxing style. He utilises tons of push steps after his combinations to maintain distance and create angles. This ensures he is never out of position and always ready to land his power shots.
Use head movement to avoid counters after opening up. Bob down and weave side-to-side to become a difficult target.
Weaving out keeps you in range to continue offense. Make your head movement unpredictable and keep your guard up.
Bobs and weaves let you stand in the pocket after exchanging. Slip counters using footwork and upper body movement.
Parries are slight deflections of your opponents gloves as they throw at you.
Catches are when you literally “catch” the punch with your glove, dissipating the force.
Both can be used for efficient defense.
They’re great after throwing combinations in case you’re in-range for a counter attack.
To maximise their uses, combine them with an immediate counter.
Because parries and blocks are so efficient, they open up a lot of counter punching opportunities.
Note: You can also get a coach to teach you this pad flow.
Perfecting boxing combinations takes practice and discipline.
Drill basic combos like the jab-cross until they are second nature.
As you master fundamentals, start linking more complex combinations seamlessly with speed and power.
Implement footwork, head movement and defensive techniques between combinations.
Slip counters, push step to safer angles, and use parries to set up return offense.
Sharp technique, variation and defensive responsibility will make your combinations more effective.
Master these essential skills through repetition to become a complete fighter.
I'm an Amateur Boxer who fell in love with the sweet science after it had saved me from rock bottom. Elite Striking Gear is my attempt to document my Boxing journey by providing helpful boxing guides to excel your skills and expose the "secrets" you would only learn by attending various gyms.
