Learn Boxing
The 6 Basic Boxing Punches
Every combination in boxing is built from six punches. Learn the numbering system coaches shout across the gym, the mechanics behind each shot, the mistakes that quietly cap your progress — and the combos worth drilling tonight.
The punch numbers, explained
Trainers call combinations by number so instructions stay short. Learn these six and you can follow almost any boxing class or workout video.
| Number | Punch | Hand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jab | Lead |
| 2 | Cross | Rear |
| 3 | Hook | Lead |
| 4 | Hook | Rear |
| 5 | Uppercut | Lead |
| 6 | Uppercut | Rear |
Add a "b" for the body — "2b" means a cross to the body.
How to throw each punch
The Jab (lead straight)
Your range finder and the most used punch in boxing. Fast, light and constant — it opens the door for everything else.
How to throw it
- +Fire the lead hand straight from your chin, not from the hip
- +Rotate the fist so the palm faces down at full extension
- +Small step with the lead foot to cover distance
- +Snap it back on the same line to reset your guard
Common mistakes
- −Dropping the hand before throwing
- −Pushing instead of snapping
- −Leaning the head forward with the punch
The Cross (rear straight)
Your power hand travelling the shortest distance. Thrown behind the jab it's the classic knockout punch.
How to throw it
- +Pivot the rear foot as if crushing a bug
- +Drive the hip and shoulder through the target
- +Chin tucked behind the punching shoulder
- +Lead hand stays glued to the cheek
Common mistakes
- −Flat rear foot (no rotation, no power)
- −Over-reaching and losing balance
- −Dropping the lead hand as the cross lands
The Lead Hook
A short, horizontal shot around the guard — brutal to the chin or the liver, and almost invisible when set up behind a jab.
How to throw it
- +Elbow up to roughly shoulder height, arm at 90°
- +Pivot the lead foot and turn the hips
- +Keep the arc short — this is not a swing
- +Return straight back to guard, not down
Common mistakes
- −Winding up (telegraphing)
- −Arm-only hook with no hip rotation
- −Dropping the opposite hand
The Rear Hook
Heavier than the lead hook but slower and more committing. Best used inside or when your opponent has stopped moving.
How to throw it
- +Rotate the rear foot and hip hard
- +Keep the elbow bent and level with the fist
- +Land with the knuckles, not the thumb side
- +Recover immediately — you're open while it travels
Common mistakes
- −Throwing it as a lead punch
- −Swinging wide from the outside
- −Squaring the shoulders and losing the guard
The Lead Uppercut
A rising punch up the middle. It punishes a high guard and a head that ducks straight down.
How to throw it
- +Slight dip in the knees, not a bow of the waist
- +Drop the lead shoulder a few inches, no more
- +Drive up through the legs with the palm facing you
- +Keep the punch short — inside range only
Common mistakes
- −Dropping the hand to the hip first
- −Scooping from too far away
- −Bending forward at the waist
The Rear Uppercut
The finisher in close quarters. Combined with hooks it's the classic body-head sequence on the inside.
How to throw it
- +Load slightly on the rear leg
- +Rotate the hip up and through as you extend
- +Elbow stays tight to the ribs on the way up
- +Follow with a hook to keep the opponent guessing
Common mistakes
- −Throwing from the outside
- −Leaning back for leverage
- −Leaving the chin exposed on the follow-through
Five combinations to drill
Three rounds of shadowboxing, one combination per round, guard reset after every sequence.
The classic
Jab to measure, cross to land. The foundation of every combination you'll ever throw.
Around the guard
Two straights bring the guard tight, the lead hook comes around the side of it.
Up the middle
Jab to close, rear uppercut through the guard, lead hook to finish the angle.
Body–head
Cross to the body drops their hands, then the hook arrives upstairs.
Double trouble
The double jab hides the timing so the cross lands clean.
Five mistakes almost every beginner makes
Dropping your hands after every punch
The single most common beginner habit. Your guard should return to your cheekbones before the next punch leaves. Film yourself — you'll see it instantly.
Punching with the arm only
Power travels foot → hip → shoulder → fist. If the rear foot never pivots, you're throwing at maybe 40% of your potential force.
Holding your breath
Exhale sharply on every punch. It tightens the core on impact, protects you from body shots and keeps you from gassing in round two.
Standing square
Square shoulders give your opponent a wide target and rob every punch of rotation. Keep a bladed stance with weight split roughly 50/50.
Overreaching
If you have to lean to reach, you're out of range. Step in with the feet instead — leaning puts your head on the centreline where counters live.
Punching questions, answered
What is the most important punch in boxing?
The jab. It measures distance, sets up everything else and keeps you safe stepping in and out of range.
How do I punch harder?
Power comes from the ground up — rear foot pivot, hip rotation, then shoulder. A relaxed arm that snaps tight on impact hits far harder than a tense one.
Should I train punches without a bag?
Yes. Shadowboxing in front of a mirror is the fastest way to fix mechanics, and it's how professionals start every session.
How do I know if my form is actually correct?
Film a 20-second clip from the side and upload it here — the AI checks your stance, guard and punch mechanics and tells you exactly what to fix.
Check your punches on camera
Reading is one thing — seeing your own jab in slow motion is another. Upload a short clip and the AI grades your stance, guard, footwork and punch mechanics, scores your form out of 10 and tells you what to drill next. First analysis is free.
Analyze my technique free →Keep reading
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