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Overview & When to Use
After absorbing the 1-2-3, opponents instinctively tighten their guard at the temples to defend more straight and lateral shots. The uppercut exploits the one angle a tight high guard cannot cover — straight up from below. This is the natural evolution of the 1-2-3 once opponents learn to defend it.
When to use
Use when the opponent consistently shells up against your 1-2-3 by pulling their gloves tight to the temples. The three initial punches force them into a compact defensive posture that creates a wide-open lane for the upward-traveling uppercut finisher.
Common Mistakes
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- Telegraphing the uppercut by dipping too early or too obviously before the hook, which alerts the opponent to the level change and gives them time to adjust their guard downward.
- Losing power on the uppercut after throwing three preceding punches because of accumulated fatigue, turning the finisher into a weak push that fails to capitalize on the opening.
- Standing straight up after the uppercut without moving your head, which plants you on the center line where the opponent's instinctive counter — typically a hook — will find you cleanly.
Pro Tips
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- The 1-2-3-6 is the natural tactical evolution of the 1-2-3 once opponents learn to block the hook — their tight guard against lateral attacks creates the perfect opening for vertical attacks.
- The rear uppercut after a hook is biomechanically natural because the hook's rotation pre-loads the rear hip, meaning you do not need a separate wind-up motion to generate power on the uppercut.
- If the opponent protects their chin, target the solar plexus with the uppercut instead — the tight high guard they use against the 1-2-3 leaves the body completely exposed to upward attacks.
Conditioning Drills
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- Heavy Bag: Alternate between 1-2-3-2 (cross finisher) and 1-2-3-6 (uppercut finisher) each round, 5 rounds of 3 minutes, to build both options from the same setup.
- Mitt Work: 3 rounds of 3 minutes where the coach randomly calls the finisher — cross or uppercut — after the 1-2-3, building reactive decision-making.
- Shadowboxing: 3 rounds of 3 minutes focusing on the knee dip between the hook and uppercut, exaggerating the level change to build the habit.
Q1 of 3
Which of these is a common mistake when performing The 1-2-3-6 (Jab-Cross-Hook-Rear Uppercut)?