Combinations Range

Range can undoubtedly have a massive influence on your punch selection. Most fighters know this. But what most fighters DO NOT focus on is WHY each punch is thrown, and how they can set up the following punches. Let’s look at what  combinations are available to you in each range, and why:

Mid range combinations

– Right straight-Left hook to body-right straight (2,9,2) – A great combination with your opponent against the ropes, or when you’re in close. The left hook is harder to track as it comes from a totally opposite side than the first right hand. The element of surprise causes a fighter to instinctively drop his hands and this paves the way for the last right hand.

– Jab-Right uppercut-Left hook-Right straight (1, 6 ,3, 2) – The jab can be used to step in range whilst keeping your opponent occupied and measuring range correctly. In order to prevent being countered, you can lean your head over to the right as you jab. This is known as moving the head off of the centre line and former heavyweight champs Mike Tyson and Floyd Patterson would regularly do this. Leaning over to the right, stores weight over on the right side which allows you to come up with a right uppercut. Hooks after uppercuts are a natural fit as they come at different angles, which makes it harder to defend against.

– Straight right-Left hook-Straight right (2,3,2) – The function of this combination is to confuse your opponents offence with different angles of entry. The hook comes from a wide angle whilst the straight comes from a central angle. This can manipulate an opponent’s guard, when they attempt to switch between defending their sides and their front.

Jab-Left uppercut-Left hook-Right straight (1, 3, 5.. 1, 2) – The jab-hook-uppercut combination is effective as the punches come from different angles and in addition to that, it’s all on one side. This makes it extremely hard to defend against because most fighters are conditioned to expect punches from opposing arms. The jab doesn’t have to be thrown immediately after the uppercut, giving you time to readjust positioning. You then use your jab to re-establish range if you need to, and then fire the right hand.

Close range combinations

– Left body hook-Left head hook (9,3) – The jab and straight right hand can be used to get in close. The left to the body serves to bring a fighters guard down and the following hook takes advantage of this.

– Left body hook-right body hook-left head hook (9,10,3) – A set of punches frequently used by great combination punchers such as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, it punishes your opponents body, taking air and forcing your opponents guard down. When throwing the hook, it can be useful to pivot to the left after to prevent any counterpunching from your opponent.

– Left body hook, left uppercut/ Right body hook, Right head hook (9,5/ 10,6) – A favourite of Tyson, he would dig a hook into the body to paralyse his opponent and get his opponent to drop guard. The hook to the body usually causes the boxer to bend down slightly, so that he moves into the uppercut, maximising the devastating effects the uppercut can have.

– Right uppercut, Left body hook(6, 9) – Uppercuts set up hooks well, and vice versa. As they enter from different angles. Uppercuts set up body hooks well because they exaggerate the angles even more,  with different levels of entry being added into the mix. This combination can be capped off with left hook to the body, adding yet another level change in the offence.

-(2,9,11, (1)) – The right hand offers a chance for the fighter to step inside with a commanding threat. The shift of momentum of the right hand to the left side, allows a fight to turn in a left hook to the body. Can be ended with a jab to safely step out of range.

– (10, 6, 3) – The combination Tyson used to finish off Berbick and win the heavyweight title. The hook to the body not only paralyses the opponent, but beautifully sets up the uppercut. Hooks always go good with uppercuts as the angle of entry is different, and harder to defend against.

Long range combinations

Long range obviously involve means being further away from your opponent, which means it can be a bit easier for opponents to see punches coming and you’re usually too far away to string together much punches of significance. For this reason, to increase the proficiency and practicality of being at the long range, you need to utilise your ability to get into mid range and then get out, particularly if you’re not a fighter with a long reach.

Straight punches are the obvious punches of choice, as you can get full extension in your arms. Jabs, and right straights are effective.

But if you wish to use deception, hooks and uppercuts can be set up with angles and quick steps that are hard to see.

It’s more useful to change angles, or step in and step out to pick out the element of surprise and disguise, as it’s not naturally embedded in the nature of long range attacks. For this reason, attacking from long range may actually be the most complex of all the ranges as it involves stepping into punching distance (which predominantly is the mid range) and staying out, without giving the chance for the opponent to get his own offence going.

Final Note From Reemus – Are They Doing It?

Remember, a fighter fights  with his heart. But a CHAMPION fights with his heart and his mind. By using smart combinations with a deep awareness of the range you are operating in, you are fighting smartly with your mind. Believe it or not, many fighters do not have this awareness. So if you do it, you will be a step ahead. They’re not doing it, so you have to.