The Basic Boxing Punches Every Beginner Must Master

Walk into any boxing gym in the world and you'll see people throwing the same punches. That's because there are only six basic boxing punches - and every combination, every knockout, every defensive slip comes from mastering these fundamentals.

The good news? You can learn them faster than you think. The bad news? "Learning" them and actually being good at them are two very different things. Let's break down each punch so you know what you're aiming for.

The Six Basic Boxing Punches

Before we get into technique, here's the quick overview. In boxing, punches are numbered:

1. Jab
2. Cross (or straight right for orthodox fighters)
3. Lead hook
4. Rear hook
5. Lead uppercut
6. Rear uppercut

If you're a southpaw (left-handed), just flip everything. Your lead hand is your right, your rear hand is your left.

1. The Jab

The jab is your most important punch. Not because it's powerful - it's not - but because it sets up everything else. A good jab measures distance, disrupts your opponent's timing, and creates openings for bigger shots.

How to throw it:

• Start in your boxing stance with your lead hand up by your cheek
• Extend your lead hand straight out, rotating your fist so your palm faces down at full extension
• Snap it back to your face immediately - don't let it hang out there
• Your rear hand stays glued to your chin for protection

Common mistakes: Dropping your hand before you punch (telegraphing), not bringing it back fast enough, and leaning forward instead of staying balanced.

The jab should feel like a piston - out and back, out and back. Speed matters more than power here.

2. The Cross

This is your power punch from the rear hand. When people talk about a knockout right hand, they're talking about the cross.

How to throw it:

• From your stance, rotate your rear hip forward
• Your rear hand travels straight towards the target
• Your rear heel lifts and pivots as you rotate
• Your shoulder comes up to protect your chin
• Your lead hand stays up to guard your face

The power comes from your legs and hips, not your arm. Think of your arm as just the delivery system - the real force comes from that hip rotation.

Common mistakes: Punching with just your arm, dropping your lead hand, and over-rotating so you lose balance.

3. The Lead Hook

The hook is a curved punch that comes around the side. It's devastating when it lands on the chin or the temple, and it's the punch most knockouts come from at professional level.

How to throw it:

• From your stance, rotate your lead hip
• Your elbow bends to roughly 90 degrees
• Your fist travels in a horizontal arc, palm facing you or facing down
• The rotation comes from your hips, not your shoulder
• Keep your elbow at the same height as your fist

Common mistakes: Winding up (pulling your hand back before throwing), letting your elbow flare out too much, and forgetting to rotate your body.

The hook works best at close to medium range. If you're too far away, you'll reach and lose power.

4. The Rear Hook

Same mechanics as the lead hook, but from your rear hand. This one requires more rotation since you're bringing power from further back.

How to throw it:

• Pivot on your rear foot, turning your hips
• Your rear arm stays bent at roughly 90 degrees
• The punch arcs around towards the target
• Your weight shifts onto your lead leg as you turn

The rear hook is often thrown after the cross, using the momentum you've already created from rotating forward. It's a natural follow-up punch.

5. The Lead Uppercut

Uppercuts are vertical punches that travel upward. They're perfect for close range, especially when your opponent ducks down or lowers their guard.

How to throw it:

• Bend your knees slightly, dipping your lead shoulder
• Your lead hand drops a few inches
• Drive upward from your legs, rotating your hip
• Your palm faces you as the punch travels up
• Aim for the chin or the body

Common mistakes: Telegraphing by dipping too much, throwing from too far away, and looping the punch instead of driving it straight up.

Uppercuts are close-range weapons. If you're throwing them from the outside, you're doing it wrong.

6. The Rear Uppercut

The big brother of the lead uppercut. More power, same basic mechanics.

How to throw it:

• Dip slightly, bending your knees
• Drop your rear hand a few inches while keeping your elbow in
• Rotate your rear hip forward as you drive upward
• The punch travels straight up the middle

This punch can do serious damage when it lands clean. But it also leaves you exposed if you miss, so pick your shots carefully.

Putting It All Together

Learning punches in isolation is just the start. The real skill comes from connecting them - turning single punches into combinations that flow naturally.

Start simple. The 1-2 (jab-cross) is the most basic combination in boxing, and you'll throw it thousands of times. Once that feels natural, add the 3 (lead hook) to make it a 1-2-3.

At H&G, we spend a lot of time on fundamentals because shortcuts don't exist in boxing. You can't hide bad technique when someone's trying to hit you back.

How Long Until You Get Good?

That depends on what "good" means to you. You can learn the basic mechanics in your first few sessions. Throwing punches that actually have snap and power? That takes months of practice. Throwing them accurately while tired and under pressure? That's what separates boxers from people who just know how to box.

The punches themselves are simple. Mastering them is a lifelong process - even professionals still work on their jab.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Tensing up. New boxers often clench everything tight. Stay relaxed until the moment of impact, then snap.
• Forgetting to breathe. Exhale sharply when you punch. That "sss" sound you hear in gyms isn't just for show.
• Neglecting defence. Every time you punch, you create an opening. Keep your non-punching hand protecting your chin.
• Skipping footwork. Punches mean nothing if you can't get in range to throw them. Footwork comes first.

Ready to Learn Properly?

Reading about punches only gets you so far. You need a coach watching your form, correcting your mistakes, and pushing you to improve.

At Honour & Glory, our beginners classes break down every punch in detail. You'll drill them on pads, on bags, and in partner work until they feel natural. No experience needed - just show up ready to learn.