Boxing Combinations for Beginners: 15 Simple Combos That Actually Work

Early on, it feels like there are a thousand combinations to remember.

In reality, most good boxing gyms recycle the same simple patterns over and over. They just change the timing, distance, and intent.

If you can throw a handful of basic combos with balance and confidence, you’re already ahead of most beginners trying to copy highlight reels.

Below are 15 beginner-friendly combinations that actually show up in real training—and how to practice them in a smart way.

If you haven’t yet dialed in the basics—stance, guard, breathing—it’s worth pairing this with our breakdown of beginner boxing mistakes and how to fix them so these combos sit on a solid foundation.

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1. The Classic 1–2 (Jab–Cross)

Simple, but you’ll use it forever.

• Jab to find range.
• Cross straight down the middle.
• Chin tucked, rear hand snapping back to guard after the cross.

Drill it on the bag, on the pads, in shadow, and in every warm-up.

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2. 1–1–2 (Double Jab–Cross)

The double jab disrupts timing and helps you close distance without leaping.

• First jab: range finder.
• Second jab: step in and commit a bit more.
• Cross: land once you’re in comfortable range.

Focus on keeping both jabs snappy, not heavy.

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3. 1–2–3 (Jab–Cross–Lead Hook)

The classic “round the side” combo.

• Jab and cross open the guard.
• Lead hook wraps around the hand that’s trying to block the cross.

Don’t over-swing the hook. Keep it short and tight so you don’t spin past your stance.

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4. 2–3–2 (Cross–Hook–Cross)

Great when you don’t want to telegraph with the jab.

• Start with a sharp cross.
• Turn your hips back into the lead hook.
• Finish with another cross as they react.

Think of your hips like a spring: right–left–right.

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5. 1–2 to the Body (High–Low)

Work level changes early.

• Jab to the head to make them blink.
• Bend your knees, lower your level, and drive the cross into the body.

Don’t just drop your back and bend at the waist. Take your head off the center line when you go downstairs.

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6. 1–2–Slip–2

Defense built into the combo.

• Throw jab–cross.
• As soon as the cross returns, slip to the outside of their jab.
• Fire another cross from that angle.

Shadow this slow first, so the slip doesn’t pull you off balance.

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7. 1–2–Roll–3–2

Your first “longer” combo.

• Jab–cross.
• Roll under an imaginary hook.
• Come up with a tight lead hook.
• Finish with a cross.

Stay compact. Long, looping rolls are how people lose their feet.

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8. 2–3 to the Body (Cross–Lead Hook Body)

Attach body work to combos early.

• Cross upstairs to get their guard high.
• Bend your knees, sink the lead hook into the body.

Keep your opposite hand home when you go downstairs. Body shots are great—getting clipped while you’re low isn’t.

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9. 1–2–Step Off–2

Introduce angles:

• Jab–cross on the center line.
• On the cross, let your rear foot slide slightly outside.
• Pivot or step your lead foot to the outside and fire another cross from the angle.

On the bag, imagine your opponent stuck in front of you as you step off and line up the rear hand again.

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10. Double Jab to the Body (1b–1–2)

Mixing head and body with the lead hand.

• Jab to the body (bend at the knees, not the waist).
• Come back up with a jab upstairs.
• Follow with a cross.

Great drill for learning to bend with balance.

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11. 1–2–Lead Hook to the Body (1–2–3b)

Another simple high–high–low pattern.

• Jab–cross high.
• Drop your weight as you pivot into a body hook.

Picture hitting the ribs, not the arms.

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12. 1–Slip–2–3

Lead with defense, then counter.

• Jab as a probe.
• Slip inside or outside their jab.
• Fire cross–hook from the new position.

This one shines in shadow boxing and on the bag when you really commit to visualizing a jab coming back at you.

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13. 2–Roll–2–3

Short power combo.

• Cross.
• Roll under their hook.
• Cross–hook as you come back up.

Keep your rolls tight under an imaginary rope so you don’t waste time or energy.

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14. 1–2–1–2 (Volume Combo)

Not subtle, but useful.

• Four straight shots in a row, with small level and rhythm changes.
• Use it to back someone to the ropes or force a high guard.

Change tempo a bit so it doesn’t feel like a drum beat.

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15. The “Breathe and Reset” Combo

Sometimes the right combo is just: jab, step out, reset.

• Jab.
• Take a small step back or sideways.
• Breathe, reset your guard, and look for the next idea.

Beginners often forget that not throwing is an option. Building this into your rounds keeps you from panicking into wild flurries.

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How to Practice These Combos Without Overthinking

You don’t need to memorize all 15 at once.

Try this:

• Pick 3 combos and make them your focus for the week.
• Work them in:
  • Shadow boxing (slow and technical).
  • Bag work (power and conditioning).
  • Light drills or pad work (timing and reactions).

If you’re using FightFlow, you can:

• Build a short “Beginner Combos” track with your 3–5 favorites.
• Let the app call them out so you stop staring at a list and start reacting instead.

For more ideas on how to move your feet around these combinations, check out our at-home boxing footwork drills and our guide to improving boxing reaction time so the same patterns start to feel automatic under pressure.

Over time, the combos blend together. You stop thinking in “1–2–3” and start thinking in openings, timing, and rhythm.

That’s when combinations stop feeling like homework and start feeling like actual boxing.