Michelle
Want harder, smarter, more confident punches? It all starts with the six basic boxing punches: jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut and rear uppercut.
Here's what each punch does, how to throw it clean, and which mistakes to drop immediately. No fancy boxing talk. Technique you can use tonight.
In short
- The six basic punches are: jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut and rear uppercut.
- Power doesn't only come from the arms. Feet, hips and core do most of the work.
- After every punch, the other hand stays by your face. Nice technique, safe head.
- Beginners build fastest with jab, cross and simple 1-2 combinations.
- Good wraps and gloves that fit protect wrists and knuckles.
What are the six basic boxing punches?
The six basic punches are the jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut and rear uppercut.
A lot of gyms give them numbers. That makes combinations easier. When the coach yells 1-2-3, you know what to do. No panic face, no half dance step. Just punch with control.
| Number | Punch | Hand | What it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jab | Lead | Distance, timing, setup |
| 2 | Cross | Rear | Power, straight down the middle |
| 3 | Lead hook | Lead | Around the guard, close range |
| 4 | Rear hook | Rear | Power hook from the back hand |
| 5 | Lead uppercut | Lead | Up through the middle, close |
| 6 | Rear uppercut | Rear | Up through the middle, more power |
Orthodox: left foot forward, jab with the left. Southpaw: the other way around. The names stay the same. Lead is the front hand. Rear is the back hand.
How do you throw each punch?
Jab: snap it out from the guard, rotate the fist so the palm faces down at the end, pull it straight back. Don't drop the rear hand.
Cross: push off the rear foot, turn the hip, the rear shoulder comes through. Wrist stays straight. Chin slightly tucked.
Hooks: elbow about shoulder height, rotate the torso, don't swing from the elbow alone. The rear foot turns on a rear hook.
Uppercuts: knees slightly bent, punch up through the middle, don't scoop from the hip like you're lifting a suitcase. Other hand stays home.
At Hypest we often see beginners throw only with the arms. It looks busy. It doesn't land. Once the feet and hips join, the punch suddenly feels like it belongs to you.
Tip: film one round of shadowboxing. You'll see if the rear hand drops, if you lean in, or if the jab never comes back.
Gloves that fit keep the wrist honest on hooks and uppercuts. Our Hypest Burgundy Knockout boxing gloves are built for women's hands. Wrap first: Hypest Bloody Burgundy wraps.
Questions you probably have
What are the six basic boxing punches?
Jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut, rear uppercut. Many gyms number them 1 to 6.
Where does punching power come from?
Feet, hips and core first. The arm finishes. If you only muscle it, you leak power and stress the shoulder.
Which punches should a beginner start with?
Jab and cross. Get the 1-2 clean. Add the lead hook when that feels boring in a good way.
Why does my wrist hurt on hooks?
Often a bent wrist or gloves that don't lock. Wrap properly, keep the wrist straight, and don't smash cold.
