Why Combinations Win Fights
A single technique is a question. A combination is a conversation the opponent cannot answer.
A lone roundhouse kick can be checked, dodged, or countered. But a jab → cross → hook → low kick attacks four different targets in two seconds, and the opponent must defend all four. They will miss at least one.
At Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio, combinations are the core of our kickboxing curriculum. Students learn 3-5 new combinations per belt/level, drilling them on pads, bags, and in controlled partner work before applying them in sparring.
This guide provides 50 essential combinations, organized by level, with a notation system and drilling methodology.
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Notation System
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jab (lead hand) |
| 2 | Cross (rear hand) |
| 3 | Lead hook |
| 4 | Rear hook |
| 5 | Lead uppercut |
| 6 | Rear uppercut |
| LK | Low kick (rear leg) |
| LLK | Lead low kick |
| MK | Middle kick (rear leg) |
| HK | High kick (rear leg) |
| LHK | Lead high kick |
| TK | Teep / Front kick (lead leg) |
| SBK | Spinning back kick |
| QMK | Question mark kick |
| SK | Switch kick (lead leg roundhouse with stance switch) |
| → | Flows into (no pause) |
| (body) | Target the body |
| (head) | Target the head |
Example: 1 → 2 → LK = Jab → Cross → Low Kick
Level 1: Beginner Combinations (1-10)
Learn these in your first 6 months. Focus on form, balance, and retraction.
| # | Combination | Notation | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jab – Cross | 1 → 2 | The foundation. Hip rotation on the cross. |
| 2 | Jab – Cross – Lead Hook | 1 → 2 → 3 | Adding the horizontal plane. |
| 3 | Jab – Cross – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → LK | First punch-kick integration. |
| 4 | Jab – Low Kick | 1 → LK | Simple setup. Jab draws the guard up, low kick goes under. |
| 5 | Cross – Hook – Cross | 2 → 3 → 2 | Rhythm and flow. |
| 6 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Cross | 1 → 2 → 3 → 2 | The classic “four-punch.” |
| 7 | Jab – Teep | 1 → TK | Distance management. Jab blinds, teep pushes. |
| 8 | Cross – Low Kick | 2 → LK | Power punch → leg attack. |
| 9 | Jab – Cross – Middle Kick | 1 → 2 → MK | Punches draw the guard up, kick goes to the body. |
| 10 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → 3 → LK | First full combination (punches + kick). |
Drilling Method (Beginner)
- Shadow box the combination slowly (5 reps)
- Pad work with a partner (10 reps per side)
- Heavy bag at moderate power (10 reps)
- Add footwork: step in on the jab, step out after the kick
- Repeat until the combination is automatic (no thinking)
Level 2: Intermediate Combinations (11-25)
Learn these between 6-18 months. Focus on speed, level changes, and defence integration.
| # | Combination | Notation | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Cross – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → 3 → 2 → LK | Five-strike flow. |
| 12 | Jab – Body Hook – High Kick | 1 → 3(body) → HK | Level change: body → head. |
| 13 | Low Kick – Cross – Hook | LK → 2 → 3 | Kick first, then punch. Unusual timing. |
| 14 | Jab – Slip – Cross – Body Hook | 1 → slip → 2 → 3(body) | Adding defence (slip) mid-combination. |
| 15 | Teep – Cross – Roundhouse | TK → 2 → MK | Teep creates distance, cross closes it, kick finishes. |
| 16 | Jab – Cross – Uppercut – Hook | 1 → 2 → 6 → 3 | Vertical → horizontal plane change. |
| 17 | Switch Kick – Cross – Hook | SK → 2 → 3 | Stance switch for unexpected angle. |
| 18 | Jab – Cross – Low Kick – Cross – Hook | 1 → 2 → LK → 2 → 3 | Kick in the middle disrupts rhythm. |
| 19 | Lead Hook (body) – Rear Uppercut – High Kick | 3(body) → 6 → HK | Body → chin → head. Three levels. |
| 20 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Middle Kick | 1 → 2 → 3 → MK | Classic punch-kick finish. |
| 21 | Cross – Hook – Cross – Low Kick – Cross | 2 → 3 → 2 → LK → 2 | Five strikes, alternating planes. |
| 22 | Jab – Teep – Cross – Low Kick | 1 → TK → 2 → LK | Push-pull rhythm. |
| 23 | Lead Uppercut – Rear Hook – Low Kick | 5 → 4 → LK | Close range → mid range. |
| 24 | Jab – Cross – Low Kick – High Kick | 1 → 2 → LK → HK | Low-high level change on kicks. |
| 25 | Cross – Slip – Hook – Body Hook – Uppercut | 2 → slip → 3 → 3(body) → 5 | Defence integrated. Five strikes. |
Drilling Method (Intermediate)
- Shadow box at full speed (3 rounds × 3 min, rotating combos)
- Pad work with a partner calling combinations randomly
- Heavy bag with power (focus on the last strike as the “finisher”)
- Partner drill: one person attacks with the combo, the other defends (blocks/checks), then counters
- Conditioning finisher: 10 combos → 10 burpees → repeat × 5
Level 3: Advanced Combinations (26-40)
Learn these after 18+ months. Focus on feints, counters, and fight IQ.
| # | Combination | Notation | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Fake Low Kick – Question Mark Kick | Fake LK → QMK | Deception. The fake draws the check, the redirect goes over. |
| 27 | Jab – Cross – Fake Hook – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → fake 3 → LK | The fake hook draws the guard, low kick goes under. |
| 28 | Check – Cross – Hook – Low Kick | Check → 2 → 3 → LK | Defensive entry. Check their kick, then counter. |
| 29 | Jab – Cross – Spinning Back Kick | 1 → 2 → SBK | Punches blind, spin finishes. |
| 30 | Slip – Cross – Hook – Uppercut – High Kick | slip → 2 → 3 → 5 → HK | Defence → five-strike counter. |
| 31 | Teep – Cross – Hook – Low Kick – High Kick | TK → 2 → 3 → LK → HK | Five strikes, three levels. |
| 32 | Jab – Body Hook – Rear Uppercut – Lead Hook – Low Kick | 1 → 3(body) → 6 → 3 → LK | Body → chin → head → leg. |
| 33 | Switch Kick – Cross – Hook – Cross – Low Kick | SK → 2 → 3 → 2 → LK | Stance switch entry, five strikes. |
| 34 | Jab – Cross – Low Kick – Cross – Hook – High Kick | 1 → 2 → LK → 2 → 3 → HK | Six strikes. The low kick breaks rhythm. |
| 35 | Parry – Cross – Hook – Uppercut | Parry → 2 → 3 → 5 | Defensive entry. Parry their jab, counter. |
| 36 | Fake Jab – Cross – Hook – Low Kick | Fake 1 → 2 → 3 → LK | The fake jab draws the reaction. |
| 37 | Lead Hook – Rear Hook – Lead Uppercut – High Kick | 3 → 4 → 5 → HK | Four strikes, all power shots. |
| 38 | Jab – Cross – Teep – Cross – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → TK → 2 → LK | Teep resets the distance mid-combo. |
| 39 | Roll – Hook – Cross – Low Kick – High Kick | roll → 3 → 2 → LK → HK | Duck under their hook, counter with five. |
| 40 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Cross – Uppercut – Low Kick | 1 → 2 → 3 → 2 → 6 → LK | Six strikes. The uppercut lifts the chin, the low kick chops the base. |
Drilling Method (Advanced)
- Shadow box with visualization (imagine a specific opponent)
- Pad work with random calls (coach shouts a number, you execute)
- Sparring application: use the combination in controlled sparring, debrief with coach
- Counter drills: partner attacks, you defend and counter with a specific combo
- Film review: record your sparring, identify where combos landed and where they failed
Level 4: Competition / Expert Combinations (41-50)
These are fight-winning sequences. Require years of training, exceptional timing, and fight IQ.
| # | Combination | Notation | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Fake Low – Fake High – Low Kick | Fake LK → Fake HK → LK | Double fake. The opponent freezes. |
| 42 | Jab – Cross – Hook – Cross – Hook – Uppercut – High Kick | 1→2→3→2→3→5→HK | Seven strikes. Overwhelm the defence. |
| 43 | Check – Cross – Hook – Spinning Back Kick | Check → 2 → 3 → SBK | Defence → three-strike counter → spin finish. |
| 44 | Jab – Body – Cross – Head – Low Kick – High Kick | 1→3(body)→2→LK→HK | Four levels in three seconds. |
| 45 | Slip – Uppercut – Hook – Cross – Low Kick – Question Mark | slip→5→3→2→LK→QMK | Counter → six strikes → deception finish. |
| 46 | Teep – Switch Kick – Cross – Hook – Low Kick | TK→SK→2→3→LK | Stance switch mid-combo. Unpredictable. |
| 47 | Jab – Cross – Low Kick – Cross – Hook – Uppercut – High Kick | 1→2→LK→2→3→5→HK | Seven strikes. The low kick breaks their base. |
| 48 | Parry – Cross – Hook – Body Hook – Uppercut – Spinning Back Kick | Parry→2→3→3(body)→5→SBK | Defence → five strikes → spin. |
| 49 | Fake Jab – Cross – Low Kick – Cross – Hook – High Kick | Fake 1→2→LK→2→3→HK | Fake entry → six strikes. |
| 50 | The “Om’s Finisher”: Jab – Cross – Hook – Low Kick – Cross – Uppercut – High Kick | 1→2→3→LK→2→5→HK | Seven strikes, four levels, one knockout. |
How to Build Your Own Combinations
Once you have internalized the 50 combinations above, start creating your own. Use these principles:
Principle 1: Alternate Planes
| Plane | Examples |
|---|---|
| Horizontal | Hooks, roundhouse kicks |
| Vertical | Uppercuts, axe kicks |
| Linear | Jabs, crosses, teeps |
| Rotational | Spinning kicks, overhands |
A combination that stays in one plane is predictable. Mix planes.
Principle 2: Change Levels
| Level | Targets |
|---|---|
| High | Head, jaw, temple |
| Middle | Ribs, liver, solar plexus |
| Low | Thigh, calf, knee |
A combination that attacks only the head is easy to guard. Go high-low-middle.
Principle 3: Vary Rhythm
Not every strike should be at the same speed. Slow-slow-FAST. Or FAST-fast-slow-FAST. Rhythm changes break the opponent’s timing.
Principle 4: Include Defence
A combination without defence is a gamble. Insert a slip, roll, check, or parry between strikes. This makes you harder to counter.
Principle 5: End with a Finisher
The last strike in a combination should be your most powerful or most deceptive technique. The opponent is most vulnerable at the end of a sequence (their defence is overloaded).
Drilling Methodology – The Om’s System
Weekly Combination Training
| Day | Focus | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | New combination introduction | Coach demonstrates → slow practice → pad work |
| Tuesday | Repetition and speed | Shadow boxing → heavy bag → speed drills |
| Wednesday | Partner application | One attacks, one defends → switch |
| Thursday | Sparring integration | Use the combo in controlled sparring |
| Friday | Random recall | Coach calls a number (1-50), you execute instantly |
| Saturday | Competition simulation | 3-minute rounds, use combos under fatigue |
The “Rule of 1,000”
A combination is not “learned” until you have executed it 1,000 times. At 20 reps per session, 3 sessions per week, that takes approximately 17 weeks. This is why we introduce only 3-5 new combinations per level. Depth over breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many combinations do I need to know?
A: For fitness: 5-10 is plenty. For sparring: 15-20. For competition: 30-50. Quality matters more than quantity. A fighter who executes 10 combinations flawlessly will beat a fighter who knows 50 but executes them poorly.
Q: Should I practice combinations on the bag or with a partner?
A: Both. The bag builds power and conditioning. A partner builds timing, distance, and reaction. Pad work (with a coach) builds accuracy and feedback. All three are essential.
Q: How do I remember all the combinations?
A: You do not memorize them intellectually. You drill them until they are muscle memory. After 1,000 reps, your body executes the combination without conscious thought. This is the goal.
Q: Can I use Taekwondo kicks in kickboxing combinations?
A: Yes, if they are legal under the rules. Spinning hook kicks, axe kicks, and jump kicks are legal in K-1 / WAKO rules. At Om’s, students who cross-train in Taekwondo integrate these kicks into their kickboxing combinations.
Q: What is the most effective combination for beginners?
A: Jab → Cross → Low Kick (Combo #3). It is simple, effective, and teaches the fundamental punch-kick integration. Master this before adding complexity.
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Build Your Arsenal at Om’s
Combinations are the vocabulary of fighting. The more fluent you are, the more “conversations” you can have in the ring.
At Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio, combinations are drilled systematically — 3-5 per level, 1,000 reps each, integrated into pad work, bag work, partner drills, and sparring. By the time you reach advanced level, your combinations are automatic, unpredictable, and devastating.
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Om’s Martial Arts & Fitness Studio – One strike is a question. Five strikes are an answer. Fifty combinations are a language.
