Combinations
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook
FlowLeft uppercut → Right hook → Left body hook
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook is a close-range combination. You change the direction of your punches from upward, to sideways, to low, so the opponent can't cover it all with a guard in one place. Use it when you want to put punches together with your bodies close. In an exchange where there's no room to back off and reset, it moves their guard high and low.
| Type | Combinations |
|---|---|
| Notation | 5-4-3b |
| Number of punches | 3 |
| Goals | Close-Range Techniques, Uppercut Techniques, Body Punching Techniques |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook: step by step
- Set your guard at close range, bend your knees slightly and lower your weight.
- Throw the left uppercut. Keep your left elbow bent and drive it up from below into the opponent's chin.
- As you bring the left fist back, throw the right hook. Turn your right shoulder and carry your fist in from the side to the side of the opponent's face.
- As the right hook's rotation comes back, bend your knees to drop your body and throw a left body hook to the opponent's side.
- Bring both hands back beside your chin and return to your guard.
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook: key points
- This combination is for close range. Don't throw it from a distance where your arms fully extend. Build it at a distance where you land with your elbows still bent.
- The direction changes in order: upward, sideways, then low. Draw their attention to their face with the up and side punches, then finish at the stomach.
- Throw the left body hook by bending your knees and lowering your whole body.
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook: common mistakes
- Dropping your left fist a long way before the left uppercut. The wind-up shows and you're more likely to take the opponent's right.
- Throwing the left body hook by dropping just your arm. The left side of your face opens and the opponent times a hook to it.
- Going into the left body hook while your body is still drifting from the right hook. There's no rotation behind the left body hook, and you can't get back to your guard at the end.
Left uppercut, right hook, left body hook: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, imagine an opponent up close and use a mirror to check that the directions, upward, sideways and low, are clearly different. Go slowly at first and change your height with each punch.
- On the heavy bag, stand close and split the heights: left uppercut and right hook at head height, left body hook at stomach height.
Related techniques
By goalClose-Range TechniquesUppercut TechniquesBody Punching Techniques
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.