4 Basic Boxing Punches for Beginners
With so many different boxing punches to learn, it can be difficult to know where to begin. If you’re looking to get started, the three basic punches that every boxer should learn are the jab, the cross, and the hook.
These punches were chosen because they work well together, and can be used to set up one another. For example, a jab can be used to set up a cross, or a cross can set up a hook.
Here is a quick overview of the three punches. For an in-depth look at all punches, read the detailed basic punches guide here.
The Jab
As with most things, there are always two sides to the story, which is why it’s not surprising that the jab has its critics as well as its supporters. A jab is simply a quick and economical punch thrown with the lead hand. While the jab is most often used in conjunction with other punches in the boxer’s arsenal, it’s also used as a defensive measure to keep the opponent at a safe distance.
The jab is one of the first punches that you will learn in boxing. The jab is a straight, quick punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab is thrown in a quick, snapping motion with the wrist.
The number of this punch is 1.
The Straight Right
The straight right punch is a punch thrown with the right hand in a straight line towards the opponent’s face or body. It is a direct punch and one of the most powerful of all punches.
A straight right punch is thrown by using your entire body; legs, hips, back, and shoulders. The key to a good right is to tighten your abs and rotate your hips in with your fists and lockout, your body should be like a spring.
The punch number is 2
Hooks — Left and right
The left hook is one of the most difficult punches to master because it requires some twisting of the body into awkward positions in order to line up properly, and it is often the most powerful punch for that reason. A left hook is thrown with the fighter’s body off balance, using the full body weight behind the blow.
A right hook is thrown from the outside by rotating your body. This allows you to generate the greatest power and torque through your hips and shoulders, which is why it’s called the right hook.
- Left hook number: 3
- Tigh hook number: 4
To conclude
Some people will tell you that it’s all about speed and some will say it’s all about power. The truth is that you need to use both to be able to land a solid punch. If you are slow with your punch, you can be easily countered. So one is never enough to be strong.
