Boxing Combinations for Beginners (1-2, 1-2-3 and Beyond)

Single punches rarely win fights. What wins fights is combinations - punches that flow together, each one setting up the next. If you've ever watched a boxer unleash a flurry that sends their opponent to the canvas, you've seen combinations at work.

The good news for beginners: you don't need complicated 10-punch sequences. The most effective combinations are often the simplest. Learn these foundational boxing combinations and you'll have a solid offensive game to build on.

How Boxing Combinations Work

In boxing, punches are numbered:

• 1 = Jab
• 2 = Cross (rear straight)
• 3 = Lead hook
• 4 = Rear hook
• 5 = Lead uppercut
• 6 = Rear uppercut

When someone calls out "1-2-3," they mean jab-cross-lead hook. Simple system, works everywhere.

Combinations work because each punch naturally flows into the next. The jab extends your lead side, which loads up your rear side for the cross. The cross rotates your body forward, which winds up your lead hook. It's physics - use the momentum you create.

The Essential Beginner Combinations

The 1-2 (Jab-Cross)

This is the first combination you'll learn and the one you'll throw most often. It's simple, effective, and sets up everything else.

How it works:

• Throw a sharp jab
• As your jab returns, rotate your hips and throw the cross
• Return to your stance

The jab finds the target and the cross delivers the power. Think of the jab as the rangefinder and the cross as the payload.

When to use it: Pretty much always. Coming forward, moving back, off the counter. The 1-2 works in every situation.

The 1-1-2 (Jab-Jab-Cross)

Adding a second jab before the cross changes the rhythm and makes the combination harder to predict.

How it works:

• Throw a quick jab
• Throw another jab (don't pause between them)
• Follow with the cross

The double jab disrupts your opponent's timing. They react to the first jab, then the second one catches them while they're still processing. By the time the cross comes, they're already behind.

When to use it: When your opponent is reading your basic 1-2. The extra jab throws off their counter-timing.

The 1-2-3 (Jab-Cross-Hook)

This is where it gets interesting. The hook comes around the guard that your opponent puts up to block the cross.

How it works:

• Jab to close distance and draw their attention
• Cross - they likely block it
• Lead hook curves around their high guard

The rotation from the cross naturally loads your lead side for the hook. Let that momentum carry through.

When to use it: When your opponent shells up (covers up with both hands). The hook goes around that defence.

The 1-2-3-2 (Jab-Cross-Hook-Cross)

Now we're stringing four punches together. This is a bread-and-butter combination for most boxers.

How it works:

• Start with the 1-2-3
• After the hook lands, your body has rotated back to the rear side
• Throw another cross

That final cross often lands clean because your opponent is still dealing with the hook.

When to use it: When you've hurt them with the hook and want to follow up. Don't just throw it mechanically - feel if the opportunity is there.

The 2-3-2 (Cross-Hook-Cross)

Sometimes you don't need the jab. If you see an opening, lead with the power hand.

How it works:

• Fire the cross first
• Immediately follow with the lead hook
• Finish with another cross

This is more aggressive than starting with a jab. It's a commitment - you're trading safety for firepower.

When to use it: When your opponent is open and you want to unload. Also works well as a counter when they've overcommitted to their own punch.

The 1-2-5-2 (Jab-Cross-Lead Uppercut-Cross)

Adding an uppercut changes the angle of attack and opens new targets.

How it works:

• Jab-cross as normal
• Dip slightly and drive a lead uppercut through the middle
• Finish with a cross

The uppercut catches them if their hands are high from blocking the cross. The angle is completely different, which makes it hard to defend.

When to use it: When your opponent keeps their guard tight and high. The uppercut goes up the middle, through the gap.

The 3-2-3 (Hook-Cross-Hook)

A close-range combination when you're in punching distance and want to do damage.

How it works:

• Throw the lead hook
• The rotation loads your cross, throw it
• The cross rotation loads another hook

This is a firefight combination. You're standing in range and trading. Make sure the shots are landing before you throw it.

When to use it: Infighting. When you're both close and throwing. This combination does serious damage if it lands clean.

Adding Body Shots

Every combination can go to the body. In fact, mixing head and body shots makes you much harder to defend against.

• The 1-2 to the body. Same punches, lower target. Bend your knees to get down to their level - don't just lean forward.
• The 1 body - 2 head. Jab the body, cross the head. They bring their hands down, you go upstairs.
• The 1-2 head - 3 body. Start high to get their hands up, then dig the hook into the ribs.

Body shots slow your opponent down. Even if they don't hurt immediately, they add up. By the later rounds, those body shots from round one are making every breath difficult.

Making Combinations Your Own

These are templates, not rules. As you get better, you'll modify them. Maybe you throw a double jab before everything. Maybe you always finish with a hook to the body. Your combinations should fit your style and what works for you.

The key is making them automatic. You shouldn't have to think "jab-cross-hook" - you should think "1-2-3" and your body does the rest. That only comes from repetition.

Drilling Combinations

• Shadow boxing. Throw combinations while moving around. Focus on the flow between punches.
• Heavy bag. Hit with intention. Every punch should be a real punch, not a touch. Feel how each punch loads the next.
• Focus mitts. Your partner (or coach) calls combinations and you throw them. This is the best way to develop timing and accuracy.
• Partner drills. One person attacks with combinations, the other defends. Switch roles. This shows you what works against a real person.

Common Mistakes

• Throwing arm punches. Each punch should involve your body, not just your arms. Turn your hips.
• Pausing between punches. Combinations should flow. If there's a gap, your opponent escapes.
• Always throwing the same combination. Predictability gets you countered. Mix it up.
• Forgetting defence. When you're throwing, you're exposed. Keep your non-punching hand protecting your chin.
• Over-committing. Throwing long combinations when your opponent is out of range just wastes energy. Confirm you're landing before unloading.

Start Simple, Build Up

Don't try to learn complicated combinations before you've mastered the basics. The 1-2 alone will carry you for months. Once it feels natural - truly automatic - add the hook. Then the uppercuts. Build piece by piece.

At Honour & Glory, we teach combinations progressively. You'll start with the fundamentals and add complexity as your skills develop. Our pad work is designed to drill these patterns until they become instinct.