How to Do a Punch Combo

In boxing and the world of martial arts, the punch is a fundamental building block. There is the jab, the cross and the hook. These three punching styles can create not only a good fighter but an outstanding one as well. While anyone training may find that they favor one punching style over another, it is the exceptional fighter that knows a punch combo is the best defense and offense.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boxing gloves
• <br>Wraps
• <br>Workout clothes
• <br>Optional boxing shoes

1. Learn the fighting stance. Throwing punches is not where a punch combo begins. It starts with the right stance for fighting. Turn your body sideways, keep your feet shoulder width apart and bring your hands up. Your closest hand should be up protecting your face but not obscuring your vision. Your back hand should be in a similar position. Neither of your arms should be up so high that your mid-section is exposed.

2. Learn the punches individually. Learn how to jab (punching with the front hand), how to cross (punching across the body with the back hand) and how to hook (punching with either arm parallel to the ground and across the body.) All punches finish in the arm but start in the core of the body. Jabs get their power from the back leg and shoulder. Crosses get their force from the twisting of the hips, and hooks receive their power from the hips and shoulders turning.

3. Focus on your best punch. When you've found your best punch, focus on it. Practice making it fast, strong and accurate. Don't forget to be able to get that punch back to protect your face.

4. Focus on your weakest punch. It's not your rope-a-dope so therefore that's where you need to focus. Practice it over and over until it's better than it was. You're only as good as your weakest punch.

5. Develop a punch combo. It could be two jabs and a hook or it could be cross, jab, cross. Either way, find a combo that works for you in rhythm, speed and power. Typically, you want the beginning of your combo to shake up your opponent or stun them, while the last part of the punches delivers the strongest impact. Most combos work in groups of three, so start there.

6. Practice, practice, practice. Once you have your combo, practice it repeatedly. Finding your groove is only possible if you go over the steps until they become second-nature. Try them first on a punching bag and them try them while sparring.

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