When to Use
Use when the opponent has a tight, disciplined guard that straight punches alone cannot penetrate. The multi-angle approach forces them to defend three different planes in rapid succession, and any failure to adjust creates a clean opening for the remaining punches.
Execution Steps
- Throw a jab to occupy the guard and measure distance, establishing your presence at the high line and forcing the opponent to commit their guard position before you change levels.
- Bend your knees to dip 4-6 inches and throw a rear uppercut traveling upward under the guard, using leg drive from the bent-knee position to generate upward force through the opponent's chin.
- As the uppercut lifts their chin and disrupts their guard vertically, immediately throw a compact lead hook to catch the lateral opening before their hands can return to the defensive position.
- The hook's rotation naturally loads your rear hand for the cross — fire it straight through the center of the now-disorganized guard, driving the rear hip fully through for maximum power.
- Return to guard with both hands and immediately move your head off the center line, as you have been stationary for four punches and the opponent will be looking to counter.
Coaching Cues
"Jab high, uppercut low, hook wide, cross straight — four angles."
"Each punch targets a different plane of attack."
"Don't rush — let each punch land and load the next naturally."
"Dip your knees for the uppercut, not your waist."
Pro Tips
- This is a universal gym classic — every trainer calls it by a different name, but the four-punch multi-angle sequence is the standard answer to a tight, disciplined guard at every level of boxing.
- Vary which punch you throw with maximum power to keep the opponent from calibrating their defense — sometimes the uppercut is the bomb, sometimes the hook, sometimes the cross.
- The uppercut is the key to the entire combination — if it lands clean and lifts their chin, the hook and cross will land almost automatically because the guard is fully disrupted.
Conditioning Drills
- Heavy Bag: 5 rounds of 3 minutes practicing the full four-punch sequence, starting at 50% speed and building to full power as the flow becomes automatic.
- Mitt Work: Coach holds at four different heights and angles for each punch, 3 rounds of 3 minutes building spatial awareness for multi-plane targeting.
- Level Change Squats: 3 sets of 15 rapid up-down squats to build the leg drive and knee-bend habit needed for dipping into the uppercut under pressure.
Gym Workout: 1-2 Fluidity & Speed
4 exercises · 20 min · Hit the gym and sharpen this technique
🥊 PRACTICE MODE
Ready to drill the The 1-6-3-2 (Jab-Rear Uppercut-Hook-Cross)?
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Q1 of 3
Which of these is a common mistake when performing The 1-6-3-2 (Jab-Rear Uppercut-Hook-Cross)?