CombinationsNEW
Soft right cross, hard left hook
2Right cross3Left hook
Flow(light) Right cross → Left hook
Soft right cross, hard left hook is a combination where you place a right cross in front of the opponent's face, as if pressing it against them, to make them close their guard, then throw your power punch, the left hook, hard the moment the guard shuts. You put no power into the right, so you show no sign of a big shot. All the power goes into the final left hook.
| Type | Combinations |
|---|---|
| Notation | 2-3 |
| Number of punches | 2 |
| Goals | Setup-and-Power Techniques |
| Guard | Written for orthodox (left foot forward) |
Soft right cross, hard left hook: step by step
- Extend a light right cross and place it against the opponent's face, as if pressing it there.
- Watch the opponent close their guard.
- As you bring your right fist back, get ready to rotate your body.
- The moment the guard shuts, throw a hard left hook.
- Bring your left fist back beside your chin and return to your guard.
Soft right cross, hard left hook: key points
- The right isn't a punch to land and knock them down. It's a punch to press against them and make them close their guard.
- Put no power into it, but make sure it reaches the face. A punch that falls short won't make them close their guard.
- Keeping the first punch soft hides any sign of a big shot. With no tension showing, your power punch, the left hook, is harder to read.
- Put your power into the left hook. Throwing the right lightly keeps your body from drifting, so you can use a big rotation on the left hook.
- The same idea works when you place a left jab first and then throw a hard left hook.
Soft right cross, hard left hook: common mistakes
- Throwing the right hard when it's supposed to be placed. Your body drifts forward and you can't use the rotation for the left hook.
- Pulling your shoulder back before the left hook. That signals a big shot and the opponent reads it.
- Moving into the left hook without bringing the placed right back. The right side of your face stays open.
Soft right cross, hard left hook: how to practice
- In shadowboxing, make a clear difference in power: the right is only placed lightly, the left hook is hard. Repeat.
- On the heavy bag, touch the bag lightly with the right as if pressing it there, then immediately drive in a hard left hook. Check every time that you're not tensing up on the right.
Related techniques
By goalSetup-and-Power 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.