Boxing Combinations

A solid boxing offense includes an array of punches that can be effectively thrown in combination with one another. In other words, two or more punches properly delivered in a given attack are usually better than one.

Double and Triple Jabs

These are simply jabs thrown one after the other. Care must be taken to recover properly after each one in order to maximize power. This is an effective way to deliver a bunch of punches safely from a distance.

One-Two

That's right. This is the original one-two punch combo of sport literary and celluloid fame. The combination includes a jab followed by a straight right. The classic goal is to land a clean jab at the head that lifts the chin so that you can rock it with a hard right hand.

The left jab is thrown as described (SNAP!), recovered to guard, then the straight right is immediately launched (SNAP!) and recovered to guard. Throughout the action and after, you should feel solid over your feet. Otherwise, you're probably reaching or not recovering properly.

One-Two-Three

Add to the left jab and straight right combination the left hook. This is a very natural flow of punches as the weight shifts from one foot to the other. After the jab and straight right, your weight is over the left foot creating the perfect opportunity to unload the left hook. The classic goal here is to expose the chin with the jab, tag the chin with the right and clobber the guy on the temple with the left. One, two, three - outta there!

Right-Left-Right and Left-Right-Left

These are power punch combinations utilizing the straight right and the left hook. The challenge is to coordinate the weight shifts in order to properly execute each of these torso twisting bombshells. As one punch lands, you should he weighted perfectly to throw the next one.

It's easy to turn these into arm punches when you throw them in flurries, but without the body behind them they aren't as effective. It's also difficult to maintain proper form, especially with the hook. These combinations are among an in-fighter's favorite weapons because the attack flies from two angles.

Return to Guard

It's important to remember that after every punch the hand must return to guard. It's easy to forget in all the flailing, but without full recovery, half of your head is exposed and punches aren't so powerful. The tendency to drop hands is directly correlated to fatigue. It's the first thing to go.

Combinations Including Uppercuts

Combining jabs, straight rights and left hooks with uppercuts is a dizzying feat, and absolutely devastating to an opponent because stuff is coming in from all directions. It's difficult to master the flow from one punch to the other and to execute them fully and properly. It's difficult enough to master the transitions from jab to straight right to hook ... heck it's hard enough just to learn the hook.

But practicing these flurries is a great coordination drill. A good six-punch drill includes a jab, a straight right, a left uppercut, a straight right, a left hook and finally a right uppercut.

Shadowboxing

After learning the basic footwork and punches, you can begin to practice one of the oldest and cheapest training methods there is: shadowboxing. All you really need is you, but it's a tremendous boost to box in front of a reflecting surface.

Shadowboxing is a great way to study and perfect your form and should never be underestimated. It's the one time your eyes are focused on your reflection instead of on a punching target.

This is when you practice the entire boogie-woogie: footwork, rhythm, punches and defenses. You can drill these elements individually as well as a whole symphony of moving parts. Outside of viewing yourself on video (not a bad idea!) it's the only way you can see how you really look.

In your boxer's stance, practice moving in all four directions: up, back, frontside and backside. Next, incorporate some jabs with your steps. Stepping up or stepping backside, throw as you step with your left foot. Stepping back or frontside, throw after you've stepped and set your left foot.

Boxer's Rhythm

Let's really mix it up. Boxers never really stand completely still. There should always be some sort of motion going on between steps and punches to keep you primed, pumped and ready for action.

There's the long rhythm, which is a kind of a mellow hack-and-forth bouncing between the feet, and there's the short rhythm, which is a more aggressive side-to-side thing that involves moving the head and shoulders.

One of the all-time rivalries in boxing history showcased the two rhythm styles: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazer.

Muhammad Ali was the classic long-rhythm guy. His game was outside fighting - using the jab and moving around the outskirts of an opponent's range. His arch rival, Joe Frazer, was an inside fighter and the classic short-rhythm boxer.

Since inside fighters are always within the striking zone of an opponent, Frazer had to keep the noggin bobbin' at a brisk pace in order to make himself a harder target to hit.

Practice the two rhythms until they become natural and fluid - like dancing - and incorporate them into your shadowboxing routine. Remember, you don't boogie when you step or throw punches.

Getting it together in front of the mirror may take some time. Developing an inner beat is a personal thing, and combined with the stepping and punching, gets a little tricky. But keep at it. Good form goes hand in hand with technical proficiency. Getting it right will enhance your skills and looking sharp builds self-confidence.

Long rhythm is a mellow back and forth rocking from front to back. Feet remain planted. The head moves a head-width with each rock.

Short rhythm is a brisk side-to-side movement. Again, the feet remain planted and the head moves a head-width with each rock. Rhythm is suspended when a boxer steps or pivots.