Boxing combinations use a number system: 1 is the jab, 2 the cross, 3 the lead hook, 4 the rear hook, 5 the lead uppercut and 6 the rear uppercut. Beginners should start with the 1-2, the 1-1-2 and the 1-2-3, drilling each slowly for a full round before adding speed. Bring your hands back to guard after every punch, and move your feet between combinations.
The number system
| Number | Punch | Hand (orthodox) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jab | Left (lead) |
| 2 | Cross | Right (rear) |
| 3 | Lead hook | Left |
| 4 | Rear hook | Right |
| 5 | Lead uppercut | Left |
| 6 | Rear uppercut | Right |
Southpaws mirror it: the right hand is the lead, so the jab is the right. Most gyms use this numbering, though a few number the uppercuts and hooks differently, so check with your own coach.
Ten combinations, in the order to learn them
- 1-2 (jab, cross). The foundation. Everything else is built on it.
- 1-1-2 (double jab, cross). Two jabs before the cross.
- 1-2-3 (jab, cross, lead hook). The classic three, and usually the first hook combination people are taught.
- 1-2-1-2. Two pairs at pace. A conditioning combination.
- 2-3-2 (cross, hook, cross). Starts with the rear hand.
- 1-2-3-2. Adds a cross on the end of the three.
- 1-6-3 (jab, rear uppercut, lead hook). Your first uppercut combination.
- 1-2-5-2 (jab, cross, lead uppercut, cross).
- 1-2, slip, 2. Throw the 1-2, slip an imagined counter, come back with a cross.
- 1-2-3, roll, 3-2. Roll under an imagined hook and return hook, cross.
Stay on the first three until they are automatic. Most beginners move on far too early.
These are standard drills taught in most boxing gyms, written as practice structure. They are not a substitute for being shown technique in person. If your coach teaches something differently, follow your coach.
How to drill a combination
- Slow, for a full round. Half speed, paying attention to balance.
- Add the reset. After the last punch, both hands return to guard and you take a small step. That reset is part of the combination.
- Add movement. Step in to throw, step out or to the side after.
- Add speed last. Only once the shape stays clean.
Faults coaches commonly point out are dropping the non-punching hand and reaching forward off balance. A coach is the best way to find out which ones you have; a mirror or a video of yourself is the next best.
A 15-minute practice plan
| Round (3 min) | Work |
|---|---|
| 1 | Combination 1 only, slow |
| 2 | Combination 2, then alternate 1 and 2 |
| 3 | Combination 3, slow then at pace |
| 4 | All three, any order, with movement between each |
One minute of rest between rounds. Next week, swap in combination 4. The full shadowboxing workout shows where combination rounds fit in a longer session.
Drilling with ShadowCoach
ShadowCoach has three features built around combinations. "Combo of the day" puts one combination on the home screen with a two-minute drill. Fight mode calls combinations aloud and counts how many you complete in time, at Easy, Normal or Hard pace, which trains recall under mild pressure. And the combo builder lets you write your own sequence; Premium saves them for reuse.
The app recognizes jabs, crosses, hooks, uppercuts and body shots and tells you which hand threw them, so it can confirm you threw the 1-2-3 and not a 1-2-2. It cannot see every detail a coach would. If you want a random combination without the app, the free combination generator runs in a browser.
| Free | Premium |
|---|---|
| Round timer with spoken round calls | Live coaching cues and punch feedback |
| Skeleton overlay and punch counts | Session replay with form corrections |
| Three training sessions a week | Unlimited sessions |
| Combo of the day and the Punch Guide | Four-week plans, trends, saved custom combos, Apple Health export |
Premium is available weekly, yearly or as a one-time lifetime purchase. The yearly plan starts with a 7-day free trial and the weekly plan with a 3-day trial for new subscribers. Check the App Store for current prices.
Common questions
What does 1-2-3 mean in boxing?
Jab, cross, lead hook. The numbers are shorthand so a coach can call combinations quickly.
How many combinations should a beginner learn?
Three done well is plenty for the first month: 1-2, 1-1-2 and 1-2-3.
Should I learn combinations before footwork?
Learn them together. Stand in a proper stance and take a small step before and after each combination from day one. The footwork drills page helps.
Are the numbers different for southpaws?
The numbers stay the same, the hands swap. A southpaw's 1 is the right hand.
How long until combinations feel natural?
It varies. Expect a few weeks of regular practice before the first three come out without thinking.
ShadowCoach is a training aid, not a substitute for a qualified coach or medical advice. Check with a doctor before starting a new exercise routine, and stop if you feel pain, dizziness or chest discomfort.
Have combinations called for you, and see which ones you land: Get ShadowCoach on the App Store.