attn. boxers...

[PassiveGuy]

I have been training for 2 years now and was wondering what some of your favorite combos are, also do you like to start with a combo or wait until the other guy throws a punch?

thanx

[Evilution]

As far as combinations go I try to use ones with opposing angles and deceptive combinations. For example, on the inside I might throw an overhand/uppercut/overhand combo. Even if the first overhand doesn't land it will hopefully get my opponent's attention focused on that angle of attack, making him less prepared to deal with the uppercut, punching with the other hand at an opposite angle. It works both ways also, each punch, if used in a deceptive manner, will increase the odds of the next one landing. I try to use combos to CREATE openings and not just throw lots of punches.

In general, it's not a bad idea to start and finish every combo with a jab. If you want to get close enough to launch a hook without getting clobbered, the best way to keep your opponent from clubbing you is to jab him in the face. The jab sets up the offense in general and is used as a means of changing the distance, as well as hurting your opponent and keeping him AT distance if you so desire. More specific combos might be;

Jab/cross - your bread and butter combo, the idea being to set-up the power shot with the jab. I don't know how many times I've seen guys create an opening with their jab and then knock the other guy's head off with their rear hand. The footwork for both these punches is moving in (towards the opponent).

Jab/cross/lead hook - if the 1-2 doesn't do it, the 1-2-3 is always there as backup. Often times the 1-2 will set-up the 3. It's also nice because the footwork is moving in for the 1-2 and out for the 3 so you can get out of range quickly if your punches don't take effect.

Jab/lead hook - another one with in/out footwork, this one is often successful because the jeb sets up the hook which also coming from an opposing angle, straight punch/hook punch. The more angles your opponent has to worry about the less time he can spend on hurting you and it also increases the odds of your punches landing by making him have to think more.

Cross/lead hook - again with the in-out footwork, but you'll notice there's no jab. This combo is used best when your opponent is 100% sure you ARE going to jab and it will screw up his timing when you don't. Again, deception is the key. These are also both power shots.

Once I'm on the inside and don't really have room to jab some of the combos I use are;

Multiple lead hooks - starting low around the kidneys I'll throw a short flurry of hooks with my lead hand, working my way higher as I go. For example a hook to the gut, once or twice, to draw down the opponent's guard, then maybe one to the ribs and a final one to the head. You have to be able to throw short loose hooks for it to be effective but it can often work very well at drawing the opponent's gaurd away from their head.

Overhand/uppercut - get them thinking uppercut then hit them with the overhand. This one can be done with either hand or both, depending on the situation. One of my favorites is to hold the person's head (which is illegal in boxing, I know, I know) with my lead hand and throw overhands and uppercuts. The opposing angles combined with holding their head or neck makes it a very effective tactic, at least for me.

Going high/low in general, useing painful shots to the gut to bring down your opponent's gaurd. Whenever I think my opponent is thinking high, I hit him in the gut. When I know he's worried about his gut I go for the head.

These are just some examples. Just make sure you use that jab whenever you can, make sure your combos are deceptive and put some strategy behind them. Each punch should follow the punch before it for a reason.

As far as starting with a combo or waiting for the other guy it depends on the opponent really. If he's really agressive I don't need to create openings, I probably just have to wait for them to come to me. If my opponent is timid though then I will create openings and go after him.

Hope this helps.

[Edited by Evilution on 11-15-2000 at 06:01 PM]

[L3FTH00K]

I believe it's important to throw combos that always utilizes both body and headshots. Example's are lead jab to the bely followed by a right cross to the head. A perfect picture of this was when Larry Holmes knocked down Cooney with it. Also Left hooks to the body and righthook to the head. This punches are good when your opponents back is on the rope.

[Pit Dog]

I would never start out with a combo. That would be foolish. You should start every stanza just like you should end every stanza ... and that is with a JAB. But I agree with the idea of hitting opposites. Hi/low ... low/high ... one side/other side. Right to the body, left hook to the head. Left hook to the liver, right cross. Left hook to the liver, bring it over the top.

As far as styles go, me?, I was an aggressive counter-puncher. I would always come forward, pickin' and pokin' ... but really waiting for the guy to fire back so I could counter it hard. I loved countering an outside left hook by stepping in tight with my own left uppercut.

My real trip though was feints. Feints with feet, feints with shots. I loved a feint jab that I would turn into a hook over the reflex block attempt. Or a feint first jab, then drive an immediate second one home. Always keeping the guy on the defense and tentative, not knowing what to expect.

I also always liked to put on the pressure and never let them rest. You see, most people fall apart under pressure. Holyfield once said, "Pressure busts pipes." If you let a man rest, well then he's rested. Why do that? Don't let him rest because, when tired, a man's will starts to get tested ... and also his training insufficiencies begin come out. He starts to make mistakes and starts WANTING TO rest. He he he ... never let them do it and your win will come sooner

As for strategy, if everytime you throw a punch, you mean it, you will be as easy to read as a children's book. Easy to read means easy to counter. So don't really mean each punch you throw ... really mean the SECOND one ... or the third.

Keep him confused, apprehensive, and guessing ... all the while he's under constant pressure ... and you will have his head in no time

[Evilution]

Good post Pit Dog. I like the part about pressure, I think that's real important. Besides the points you mentioned, the simple fact that action is faster than reaction will put the pressure on him. As long as you are intitiating the action, you are always one step ahead of your opponent. I usually have to use pressure because the guys I spar with are usually a lot bigger than I am.

[rockinronnie]

Combo-nation!

I have a few I prefer:

I favour the orthodox stance as opposed to the south paw, so these are some of my favs -

- I fake a jab, then come under with a left upper-cut and straight right;

- I fake a jab (again), then left hook, straight right;

- your opponent throws a jab, you slip to your right, right upper-cut, over-hand right (you could follow through with a left hook, straight right as well - to make it a four punch combo);

- as soon as your opponent throws a jab, you quickly counter with a right (over his jab). I love this one, it always works for me;

- jab, straight right, left hook (and/or add another straight right - to make it a four punch combo;

- LASTLY - jab, left hook, straight right.

These combinations have gotten me out of some tight situations (on the street, with your average "Joe"),

but, obviously you may have to adjust when scrappin' with someone you quickly learn is not just your average "Joe".

.....like when it gets taken to the ground...then that's when your "ZSHOO ZSHITS" comes into play!

Ronnie.
________________________________
A straight arm's still a broken arm - Master JPF

[PassiveGuy]

Thanks Guys!
I appreciate the posts. I haven't got to train in boxing alone in a while unfortunately, but I do take lessons in Muay Thai. I mainly just to shadow boxing and bag work for practice. But yesterday at MT class we were hand sparring and i used some of your advice and it worked great but I wasn't too strategic against the cross? I just took it and fired back or ducked it and hooked to the ribs. What would you guys do?


Thanks, have a great day!


ps I was a couple of pro fights and it seemed their 3 types of fighters, the agressive-sloppy type, the passive- good technique type, and the all out power hitters.