Jab-Cross-Lead Hook-Rear Hook
Four-punch combination: the 1-2-3 extended with a rear hook to close the exchange.
The sequence
Jab to open, cross to load the lead side, lead hook to go around the guard — then the rear hook arrives as the coup de grâce. The lead hook's rotation carries your weight to the rear side, which loads the rear hip for the final hook. Four punches, one continuous flow.
When to use
When you have the opponent hurt or covering up and want to maximize damage. This combo puts pressure on both sides of the guard — the lead hook attacks one side, the rear hook the other, giving the opponent nowhere to hide.
Key detail
The rear hook is the heaviest punch in the sequence. It benefits from the momentum of the three punches before it — your body is already rotating, the rear hip is loaded from the lead hook's recoil, and the rear fist swings through with the full weight of your torso behind it.
Common mistake
Running out of breath or balance by punch four. Four-punch combos require conditioning and tight mechanics. If the stance widens or the hands drop after the third punch, the rear hook becomes a lazy arm swing with no power and a wide-open chin.