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Boxing 101: 3-Punch Combos

A strong boxing foundation includes the six (6) foundational punches + movement in all directions + evasive maneuvers like bobbing, weaving, slipping, sliding, and ducking. From these we create the bigger building blocks of technique we call "combinations" (or "combos").

2-punch and 3-punch combinations are the basics you are going to rely on when the pressure runs high and there is no time to think. If you haven't seen our previous article on 2-punch combos, you can read it first and/or you can dive into this one, directly.

Let's make a bit of a recap for completeness.

What exactly is a boxing combo?

A boxing combo is a sequence of punches and movements that you execute to attack or counter your opponent.

A successful boxing combo is one where you manage to:

  • land your shots
  • protect yourself from any counterattack from an opponent
  • quickly get out of your opponent’s reach

Here is the punch count number system:

1 = Jab

2 = Cross

3 = Lead Hook

4 = Rear Hook

5 = Lead Uppercut

6 = Rear Uppercut

 

Note: In some boxing workouts, you may see only numbers listed to indicate the drills and rounds. These are the corresponding punches for each drill.

In our previous article on 2-punch combos, we also discussed the number of boxing combos, best way to practice them and if there was a best boxing combo you should pay special attention to. Make sure to check it out.

What are some of the best 3-punch boxing combos?

If there are only 36 possible 2-punch combos (the best of which we listed in the previous article), there are a total of 216 3-punch combos, without any variation with movement (not counting added slips, pivots, ducking, etc.). Here, we will focus on learning the most useful and versatile of them all.

A few things to keep in mind as you practice:

  • At the beginning of every combo - your weight is slightly on your back foot
  • When you punch, you can choose to throw stationary or with a step. In this article, we will instruct the combinations with a step.
    • For example, if you choose to throw with a step, shooting the same hand twice can take two steps (front foot steps, back foot catches up; repeat)
    • Alternating hands between punches can take one step (front foot moves together with first punch; back foot catches up with the second punch)
    • If you consistently lose balance between the punches, try to practice very slowly to spot where the problem is and correct it.
  • Make sure your guard doesn’t drop mid-combo - one hand should always cover your chin, and you should return the throwing hand as quick as possible to your guard after the punch
  • Try to vary your targets
    • e.g. if you have a jab in the combo - throw it once to the body and next time to the head
  • Always finish the combo in your proper boxing stance

Leading With The Jab

The jab is the most important punch. It sets up your combinations.

The 1-2-3

This is one of the first 3-punch combos you typically learn. The thought behind it is: if your opponent hasn't covered up after the jab (1), they should be a bit more worried about shots coming straight forward after the cross (2), which may leave their chin exposed on the side for the lead hook (3).

The way to execute it:

  • Start with your weight shifted towards your back foot
  • [1] Jab
    • Step forward with your leading foot as you extend the jab
  • [2] Cross
    • When your jab is on the way back to the guard, start extending the cross
    • Your rear leg catches up with the front step and pivots into the shot, and at the same time, you extend the cross
  • [3] Lead Hook
    • Instead of taking a step with the front foot, pivot on it and try to execute the hook in place
  • Reset to your stance

Try to cover the whole distance to your opponent with the first two shots, so you are in range for the hook and don't need to take another step.
If your opponent’s head is too well-protected, try throwing the cross to the body and come on top with the hook.

The 1-1-2

Double-jab, followed by the cross.

  • Start with your weight shifted towards your back foot
  • [1] Throw the jab
    • As you extend the leading hand, step forward (front foot first)
    • Your back foot catches up as you are bringing the hand back
  • [1] Before you bring your leading hand halfway back to your guard, quickly shoot a second jab with it
    • Take another step forward
  • [2] Cross
    • When your jab is on the way back to the guard, start extending the cross
    • Your rear leg catches up with the front step and pivots into the shot, at the same time as you extend the cross
  • Reset to your stance

On the second jab, try to make your front foot step forward and a tiny bit to the side (for orthodox stance - that's front + left; for southpaw - front + right). This way, the cross that follows can deliver more power as your upper body will have more freedom to rotate.

A popular slight variation is to throw the cross as an overhand (right/left depending on your stance). This means that the cross is less straight and there is a bit of an arc to the motion, so it can go over the guard and land on top of the head of your opponent.

Whenever the final shot comes right after a jab, you can put any other punch in its place. Be creative and vary this punch combo with other shots, perhaps the 1-1-6 (Jab - Jab - Rear Uppercut) will be something that comes very natural and easy to you, or the 1-1-4 (Jab - Jab - Rear Hook).

The 1-2-Pull-2

When you try to land a punch after a 1-2, but your opponent keeps countering before the third shot, you can use this combo to negate the counter:

  • Start with your weight shifted towards your back foot
  • [1] Jab
    • Step forward with your leading foot as you extend the jab
  • [2] Cross
    • When your jab is on the way back to the guard, start extending the cross
    • Your rear leg catches up with the front step and pivots into the shot, at the same time as you extend the cross
  • Pull back
    • After the cross your weight should be a bit to the front foot. Use this as leverage to push off the front foot, and as you return the back hand to guard, take a step back
  • [2] Cross
    • You can throw it similar to lead cross with a small/no step forward
  • Reset to your stance

The pull back almost resets you to stance, but the torque your upper body generates starting from extended back hand will make it easier to throw the back hand again to finish. The most likely scenario is the shot you are pulling away from is a cross (maybe a jab), making the back hook a poor choice for a counter. The variation you'd want to try is the 1-2-pull-6 and finishing up this combo with a rear uppercut.

The 1-2-Slip-6

When you end a combo with the rear uppercut, you need to be very close to your opponent. This combo is another solution to the problem we solved with 1-2-pull-2. We throw the 1-2, but instead of avoiding the counter straight shot with a pull back, we slip with a step to our back foot, and finish off with a beautiful 6 to the chin under the guard of the opponent. Here is how to get this done exactly:

  • Start with your weight shifted towards your back foot
  • [1] Jab
    • Step forward with your leading foot as you extend the jab
  • [2] Cross
    • When your jab is on the way back to the guard, start extending the cross
    • Your rear leg catches up with the front step and pivots into the shot, at the same time as you extend the cross
  • Slip
    • Take a step with your back foot (on a diagonal - forward and out)
    • Twist your upper body with the slip to load up
  • [6] Rear Uppercut
    • Throw the rear uppercut without a step, feet planted on the ground
  • Bring your back foot back
  • Reset to your stance

There are too many great combos that start with the jab to fully cover, but here are a few more that you can try:

  • 1-3 Body-2
  • 1-2-1 but with the feet switched up (so throwing the left hand with a right foot stepping and vice versa)
  • 1-6-3
  • 1-1-1 (triple jab)

Leading With The Cross

Unlike turn-based games, in boxing your time to think and move uninterrupted isn’t guaranteed. This is why you need to make space and time for your punches. A landed lead cross (almost anywhere on your opponent - head, core, guard, shoulder, chest) is likely to make your opponent pause. And if your cross gets countered mid-way, you can use that as a signal to abort the rest of the combo.

The 2-6-3


  • Shift your weight towards your back foot
  • [2] Cross
    • Step forward with your leading foot as you extend the cross
    • As you bring your rear hand back, your back foot catches up and you rotate the body to load up for the uppercut
  • [6] Rear Uppercut
    • As you rotate your body with the uppercut - keep your feet are planted on the ground
  • [3] Lead Hook
    • The center of your weight shifts to the back foot, creating a bit of space between you and the opponent
  • Front foot pivots together with the shot
  • Reset to your stance

The 2-3 Body-5


  • Shift your weight towards your back foot
  • [2] Cross
    • Step forward with your leading foot as you extend the cross
    • As you take the step, rotate/twist your upper body to load up for the hook
  • [3] Lead Hook to the body (if you are fighting from orthodox stance - that's a liver shot)
    • While rotating with the hook, your back foot catches up with the step your you made with the front foot
    • As you bring back the leading hand, rotate again to load up for the uppercut
  • [5] Lead Uppercut
    • Feet should be planted on the ground as you rotate with the uppercut
  • Reset to your stance

Here the focus should be on the hook and the uppercut. Make your opponent lean over to protect the liver and then catch their chin with the uppercut.

Leading With The Lead Hook

The Slip-Slip-3 Body-6-3

When you are fighting a much taller opponent, boxing combos with slips at the beginning are a good way to get close and negate their straight shots (jab and cross).

  • Shift your weight towards your front foot
  • Slip out
    • Slip towards your back foot together with a step forward with the back foot
  • Slip in
    • Slip towards your front foot together with a step forward with the front foot
  • [3] Lead Hook to the body
    • Pivot the front foot a little as you rotate with the shot
    • Instead of rotating your body back, imagine you cut through a cake with your hook and continue the rotation of your body, getting lower and ready for the uppercut
  • [6] Rear Uppercut
    • Use the rotation you created with the hook as a load-up for the uppercut
    • Throw the uppercut with the feet planted on the ground
  • [3] Lead Hook to the head
    • Throw the lead hook at the head of your opponent and pivot the front foot a little as you rotate with the shot
  • Reset to your stance

If they throw a jab and you see a rear hook following, slip the jab, roll the hook and execute 3-2-3, instead.

The first punch has to be very quick, because you lose time with the slip and you have to be careful not to injure your lower back and knees with the rotation. Make sure to always properly warm up and include some leg agility drills into your training.

As you can see, there is no shortage of boxing combos to practice. The ones we listed here (and the 2-punch combos we listed in the prior article) are a solid base for any boxer that wants to have a great arsenal of tools they can always rely on.

Practice your 2 and 3-punch combos over and over again. Try them out, in sparring, polish them up on the mitts with your trainer, drill them while shadowboxing in front of the mirror, and on the heavy bag. Whenever you face an opposition that's challenging, think about the problems they present you with and pick the right combos accordingly. Combine 2 and 3-punch combos. Vary your boxing combos with footwork. Record videos of yourself training and analyze what you did well and what you need to work on further. Make space for your punches and don't let the opposition interrupt you. These are all ways to work on your basic boxing combos and level-up your boxing technique.

For full boxing workouts, tips, and tricks check out our YouTube channel and start training today.

Related Articles

Boxing 101: 2-Punch Combos
How To Train On a Heavy Bag: Boxing Tips
Six (6) Basic Boxing Punches
4 Defensive Blocking Drills For Boxing
How To Box At Any Age


The Author: Nikolay Tsenkov is a dad, husband, entrepreneur, and boxing aficionado. He started training late, when he was 26 years old. One of his biggest regrets in life is that he never competed. For several years he has trained alongside national and European champions and professional boxers. He is an avid student of boxing, but enjoys all sorts of martial arts.

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