Boxing
Rear-Uppercut-Lead-Hook-Cross Combination
The rear-uppercut-lead-hook-cross combination links a rising rear-hand punch, a curved lead-hand punch, and a straight rear-hand punch. It trains coordinated rotation, balance, and punching control.
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Low injury risk
- Rest 45 sec
How to do it
- Stand with your lead foot forward, rear foot back, knees slightly bent, and fists near your cheeks.
- Throw a compact rear uppercut toward an imagined chin, turning your rear hip forward with your elbow bent and palm facing you.
- Throw a lead hook across the imagined target, rotating your torso toward your rear side with your elbow bent roughly 90 degrees.
- Throw your rear fist straight toward the target, rotating your rear hip and shoulder forward.
- Retract your rear fist to your cheek.
- Settle back into your starting stance.
Form cues
- Keep your non-punching hand at your cheek.
- Let your feet turn with your hips.
- Exhale briefly with each punch.
- Keep your chin slightly tucked.
Common mistakes
- Scooping the uppercut from waist levelStart the uppercut close to your guard rather than dropping your hand for a windup.
- Swinging a wide hookKeep the hook short enough that your fist stays in front of your shoulder line.
- Reaching forward on the crossUse an imagined target within reach so your head stays over your base of support.
Safety
Snapping punches to full extension in the air can strain your elbows or shoulders. Forceful rotation on a planted foot can twist your knee, especially when fatigue reduces control.
- Practice in clear space on a stable surface that allows your feet to pivot.
- Keep a slight bend in your elbow at the end of the cross.
- Rehearse slowly before adding speed, stopping when you can no longer reset in balance.
- Use this equipment-free version for shadowboxing, not for striking a person or solid object.
If punching or pivoting causes shoulder, elbow, knee, or back pain, use a smaller, slower movement and seek advice from a physiotherapist if symptoms persist.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
No equipment needed.
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 6–10 reps
- Rest
- 45 sec
Count one complete rear uppercut, lead hook, and cross sequence as one rep.