The Adrenalist

Powered By Degree Men

Knockout Boxing Combinations and Techniques

Tweet

Comments

Whenever someone comes into a boxing gym, they want to learn the advanced boxing combinations unleashed in big, professional fights. A lot goes into setting up these perfect combinations and making them effective. Balance, footwork, movement, speed and range are techniques that all play key roles.

We’ve showed you our boxing for beginners guide and boxing workouts you can do at home, now let’s take a look at some knockout boxing combinations and techniques.

The One-Two Punch

The basic one-two punch combines the jab and the straight-right punch into a boxer’s bread and butter combination. The key to getting this combo down is to first practice with your shoulders only while keeping your hands limp and arms completely relaxed.

- Coordinate your upper body movements with your step and drag as you move forward.

- When you get that down, add the arm movements and the actual punches.

- Start slowly, breaking this boxing combination down into its separate parts.

- Your hands and feet work together. You will step with the front (left) foot as you jab and drag your back foot (right) as you throw the right hand. Always keep 2/3 of your weight on the back ball of your foot.

-  Your left and right hands pass one another in this combination. As one hand returns to the face, the other is just moving forward. This is an advancing combination, so you will always be moving forward slightly.

Here is where this simple boxing combination gets tricky:

As you bring your left hand back to your face, rotate your right shoulder and hip forward and throw out your right hand while you drag your back foot forward and twist at the core. Synchronize your movements.

- Bring your right hand back to hands-up position by twisting your shoulder and hips back into basic stance.

- Keep your elbows close to your waist and chin tucked in.

- Breathe. Remember to exhale each time you throw a punch.

Focus points:

- Remember to move your arms as extensions of your shoulders.

- Keep your knees slightly bent, with 2/3 of your weight on your back foot.

- Bring your arms out fast and bring them right back in to protect your face. The twisting of the core is what brings your arms and hands back into position.

- Don’t hyper-extend your elbows.

- Keep your wrists bent slightly forward and rotate them: fists should land palm-down when punching.

The One-Two-Left Hook Combination

Start in your basic stance with your hands down. Throw the one-two punch combination with your shoulders while keeping your hands down, but as you bring your right shoulder back into position, you will throw the left shoulder forward with your core to add another attack to this combination.

- Rotate your left shoulder, hip, knee and foot as you forcefully twist your trunk until your left shoulder and hip face the 12 o’clock position.

- Thrust your right shoulder and hip behind you, twisting your back foot to the 3 o’clock position.

- At the same time, move your right shoulder to the 6 o’clock position as you pivot on the ball of your left foot, keeping your heel just slightly off the ground, allowing the foot to pivot to the 3 o’clock position.

- Keep your shoulders and hips in line with each other and contract your abdominals. Then, bring your hands back up to the basic stance.

Here is where this simple combination gets tricky:

- After the one-two combo lands and you are bringing back your right hand, rotate your body to the right and bring your left forearm out in front of you, turned down to the right.

- Bend your left elbow at a 90-degree angle (L-shape), keeping your forearm horizontal to the ground.

- Turn your knuckles down slightly on impact to avoid wrist injury.

- Do not allow your punch to get too close to your face and don’t let your elbow pass your left ear.

- After impact, allow the twisting of your trunk to return your hand back into position while twisting your feet and body back in to your basic stance.

- Move through this rotation slowly at first.

- Imagine a string is tying your wrist and knee together. Everything moves simultaneously.

- Add speed as you find your rhythm.

Focus points:

- Avoid swinging your right arm back as you throw your left hook.

- Avoid over-extending your arm beyond a 90-degree angle.

- Bend your wrist slightly just before impact.

- Keep your weight evenly distributed on both feet.

- Bring your elbow up as you throw your hook, but make sure you can see over your forearm.

Slip To Left Body Shot To Left Uppercut Combination

Start your slip with a forceful twist at the waist to the left, encompassing the whole side of the body.

- Stay balanced in your stance.

- The center of movement is at your hips.

- Move your right hip along with your right shoulder and knee as the ball of your right foot twists in the same direction.

- Your right shoulder moves to 1 o’clock and left shoulder to 7 o’clock, with your right forearm vertical in front of your body.

- Your fist covers your opponent’s nose, while the back of your hand faces outward.

- Twisting your body moves your head out of the way of the punch.

- As you twist right back into position, you will unleash the left body shot.

Here’s where this combination gets tricky:

- Keep your weight evenly balanced while maintaining 2/3 of your weight on your back foot.

- As you are twisting back into position from the slip, thrust your left arm in a swooping motion while rotating forward with your left shoulder, hip, knee and foot.

- Keep your knees deeply bent, with your head at your opponent’s chest level. Your target is your opponent’s lower body.

- Allow the momentum of your body to throw your arm out from your shoulder. Your punch impacts at waist height.

- Maintain a slight bend in the wrist; in a scooping motion, throw your body shot with your palms facing up and impact the bag with the knuckles of your index and middle fingers.

- Start to twist your core back lightly to the left while bringing your hand back to your face. Then throw the left uppercut.

Finish with the Left Uppercut: 

- As you drop down a bit, lean your upper body forward slightly.

- Push up with your legs, swinging the left side of your body upward in a swooping motion.

- Your left shoulder should rotate the left arm out and upward.

- Punch upward with your left fist, keeping your palm facing you, with a slight bend in the wrist.

- Keep pressure on your back foot for leverage and power. Keep your opposite arm up, protecting your face.

- Finish with your left shoulder at the 12 o’clock position. Pull your hand and arm right back into the starting position after connecting.

Right Uppercut To Left Hook Combination

From boxer’s stance, bend your knees slightly, dipping about 3 to 4 inches, as you lean slightly forward with your upper body. Get ready to connect the Right Uppercut.

- Push upward forcefully, engaging both legs.

- Rotate on the ball of your right foot, but do not move the front foot.

- There should be a slight swooping motion with your body as your hips and shoulders rotate to the left.

- Be sure you twist your back foot and bring your right shoulder to the 11 o’clock position.

- Bring your right fist up and outward as you rise.

 Here’s where this boxing combination gets tricky:

- Avoid standing straight up as you throw your punch.

- Keep your left hand close to your face until you push up with your legs.

- Rotate your left shoulder, hip, knee and foot as you forcefully twist your trunk until your left shoulder and hip face 12 o’clock.

- Thrust your right shoulder and hip behind you, in turn, twisting your back foot to the 3 o’clock position.

- At the same time, move your right shoulder to 6 o’clock as you pivot on the ball of your left foot, keeping your heel just slightly off the ground, allowing the foot to pivot to 3 o’clock.

- Keep your shoulders and hips in line with each other and contract your abdominals.

Finish with the Left Hook:

- After the uppercut lands and you are bringing back your right hand, rotate your body to the right and bring your left forearm out in front of you, turned down to the right.

- Bend your left elbow at a 90-degree angle (L-shape), keeping your forearm horizontal to the ground.

- Turn your knuckles down slightly on impact to avoid wrist injury.

- Do not allow your punch to get too close to your face or your elbow to pass your left ear.

- After impact, allow the twisting of your trunk to return your hand back into position while twisting your feet and body back in to your basic stance.

- Move through this rotation slowly at first.

- Imagine a string is tying your wrist and knee together. Everything moves simultaneously.

- Add speed as you find your rhythm.

A Boxer’s Rhythm 

The most important part of mastering sound boxing combinations is developing boxer’s rhythm, and developing boxer’s rhythm takes work. It’s an acquired technique that’s more than just the movement involved. It comes from within. Boxer’s rhythm expresses your heightened awareness and readiness to move in any direction instantly. At the same time, it incorporates your ability to stay limber and relaxed, breathing deeply.

As you develop and improve your performance, your boxer’s rhythm will emerge. All of a sudden, you’ll notice the difference. You’ll gain greater control over your weight distribution and improve your ability to move fluidly, flexibly and with intensity. Practice these basics:

- Pay attention to maintaining proper stance and balance while you’re in motion.

- Anticipate action and reaction - your own and that of your opponent.

- Always keep a slight bounce, without allowing your feet to leave the ground. Always being in motion is key.

Boxer’s rhythm is a work in progress. As your mental awareness and physical conditioning improve, so does your ability to tap into this inner energy.

Once you have balance, great footwork, movement, speed and range, the hands will follow.

Cover Photo Credit: Ian.Go / Flickr.com

Add Your Voice To The Conversation:

AdChoices