I was really a weak puncher. It’s the punch that you don’t see coming that hurts

Sugar Ray Robinson

A solid boxing offence includes  an array of  punches that can be  effectively thrown in combination with one another. Combinations confuse  your opponent  and increase your odds of victory. Always mix up body shots with head  shots or  vice versa ( think up and down).  In every punch make use of the hinge principle ( see punches)  while maintaining good balance.  Use  angles to confuse your opponent.

Mix it up:

• Straight punches as  set up for  hooks: straight punches force your opponent to narrow his guard leaving him open for the hook
• Hooks as  set up for  straight punches: hooks open up your opponent’s guard leaving him open for straight punches.
• Uppercuts as set up for head shots: uppercuts  cause boxers to lower their guard  for head  shots.

1-1 & 1-1-1

These combinations are simply jabs thrown one after the other. You must recover properly after each one in order to maximize power. Learn how to deliver a bunch of  punches safely from a distance.

1-2

The one-two combination includes a jab followed by a straight right. The aim is to land a clean jab at your opponent’s head that lifts the chin so that you can rock it with  a hard right hand. The left jab is thrown with a snap and recovered quickly to guard. Throughout the action  you should feel solid over your feet; otherwise you are reaching or not recovering properly.

The jab and straight right (1-2) and  jab,  straight right and left hook (1-2-3)  are the most important punching attacks. In both combinations the jab  closes the distance and sets up the head. The main damage is done by the following right hand.

1-2-3

As you throw the right, your weight shifts to the left side – which sets up for the left hook. This is a very natural flow of punches as the  weight shifts from one foot to another.

Combinations should flow from one side to the other  to take advantage of any weight shifts caused by power punches and to increase the number of angles and directions of your attack.

The classic goal is to to expose the chin with the jab, tag the chin with the right hand and clobber the guy  on  the temple with the left.

Right-left-right(2-3-2)  & left-right-left(3-2-3)

These are the power punch combinations utilizing the straight right and the left hook. The challenge is to coordinate the weight shifts in order to properly execute each of these torso twisting bombshells. As one punch lands you  should be weighted perfectly to throw the next one. Without body weight behind them these punches are not effective. It’s also difficult to maintain proper form , especially with the left hook. After each punch the  hand must return to guard. Without full recovery, half of your head is exposed and punches aren’t so powerful.

The tendency to drop hands is directly correlated to fatigue.

Including the uppercuts

Combining  jabs, straight rights and left hook with the uppercut is  a dizzying feat, and absolutely  devastating to an opponent since punches are coming from all directions. It’s difficult to master the flow from one punch to the other and to execute them fully and properly

A good six punch drill includes a jab, a straight right, a left uppercut, straight right, a left hook and a right uppercut.

Combinations results in KOs more than the solitary punch. Try not to stalk your opponent looking to throw a bomb . Instead, box and probe him and throw punches in combinations.
While punching you should target the knock out targets: chin, temple and jaw for the head ; and solar plexus, ribs and the heart for body shots. You can also target the nose and eyes for distractions.

You should also time your punch with your opponent inhaling and taking a breath. While inhaling your opponent muscles are too relaxed to take the impact of your power punches.