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Boxing Punches: The Six Punches and How to Throw Them

Boxing has six basic punches, and many coaches call them by number: 1 jab, 2 cross, 3 lead hook, 4 rear hook, 5 lead uppercut, 6 rear uppercut. Odd numbers are thrown with your lead hand, even numbers with your rear hand. Each guide below takes one punch step by step, for orthodox and southpaw.

  1. Jab: the left arm straight out at chin height, the right fist on the chin

    Jab

    The fast, straight punch with your lead hand. It finds your distance and starts most combos.

    How to throw a jab
  2. Cross: the right arm straight out at chin height, the left fist on the chin

    Cross

    The straight punch with your rear hand. Your back hip and foot turn behind it.

    How to throw a cross
  3. Lead hook: the left elbow up at shoulder height, the arm bent across in front of the face

    Hooks

    Short, curved punches with the elbow up: the lead hook and the rear hook.

    How to throw a hook
  4. Lead uppercut: knees bent, the left fist driven up in front of the chin

    Uppercuts

    Short punches that rise from bent knees: the lead uppercut and the rear uppercut.

    How to throw an uppercut

Keep training

The boxing numbers chart All six punches by number, with the hands for orthodox and southpaw. How to keep your guard up Where your hands go between punches, and why they drop when you tire. The boxing round timer Set your rounds and your rest for the drills in each guide.

Guardia names all six punches as you throw them, and checks your guard between them.

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Shadow training and home workouts

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