Combinations
Diagonal: right cross into left body hook
FlowRight cross → Left body hook
The diagonal (right cross into left body hook) is a combination where you hit the head with a right cross and, on the momentum of your hips turning back, return a left body hook to the opponent's side. Right hand high, left hand low: you use your body's diagonal to split the targets. Your hips, turned by the right, simply turn back the other way, so you can throw the next punch with little movement. It goes after the open side of an opponent who raises their guard to protect their head.
| Type | Combinations |
|---|---|
| Notation | 2-3b |
| Number of punches | 2 |
| Goals | Body Punching Techniques, Diagonal Combinations |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Diagonal: right cross into left body hook: step by step
- From your guard, throw the right cross to the opponent's head. Turn your right hip and shoulder forward and drive through.
- As you pull the right hand back, bend your knees slightly and lower your left shoulder a little.
- Turn your hips, which the right turned forward, back the other way, and use that rotation to throw the left body hook into the opponent's side.
- After punching, bring your left hand back beside your face, straighten up and return to your guard.
Diagonal: right cross into left body hook: key points
- Don't stop the rotation the right cross created. Switch it into rotation the other way. Throw the left with your hips turning back, not by swinging your arm again.
- It's a diagonal combination that goes high and then low, so the opponent's guard hesitates between high and low. Throw the right cross to the head for real so they have to guard high.
- Match the height of the left body hook by bending your knees. If you tip your upper body to match, the rotation breaks.
Diagonal: right cross into left body hook: common mistakes
- Letting your body drift forward after the right cross. You can't use the reverse rotation, and the left body hook becomes an arm punch.
- Matching the height of the left body hook by tipping your upper body. Your head pushes forward, and you're easier to hit with the opponent's right.
Diagonal: right cross into left body hook: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, repeat slowly while checking, in turn, which way your hips face when you throw the right cross and when you throw the left body hook. Once you're used to it, throw them back to back without stopping the rotation.
- On the heavy bag, drive in a right cross at head height and a left body hook at body height in a row, and check that there's no gap between the two.
Related techniques
By goalBody Punching TechniquesDiagonal Combinations
Left and right are written for orthodox (left foot forward). If you're southpaw, swap left and right as you read. How to read the notation
This is Japanese-style boxing: techniques as taught at a boxing gym in Japan. American or Mexican coaches may teach some of them differently.