{{Short description|Strategy in boxing}} {{About|boxing|other uses|One-two (disambiguation){{!}}One-two}}
thumb|A drawing of a jab.thumb|A drawing of a cross.In boxing, the "one-two combo" is the name given to the combination consisting of two common punches found in boxing – a jab (thrown with the lead hand) followed by the cross (thrown with the back hand).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The ultimate boxer : understanding the sport and skills of boxing|author=Halbert, Christy Lynn|date=2003|publisher=ISI Pub|isbn=0963096850|location=Brentwood, Tenn.|oclc=57553179}}</ref> In boxing parlance, fundamental punches are commonly assigned numbers by trainers and in this case there is the jab (#1) and the cross (#2).<ref name=":0" />
Boxers begin practicing the basics starting with offense and generally learn punches starting with the fundamentals - the jab (#1), the cross (#2), then onward to more complex punches such as the lead hook (#3), rear uppercut (#4), lead uppercut (#5)<ref name="combo">{{Cite web|url=https://www.garagegymreviews.com/boxing-combos|title=Boxing Combos|access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref><ref name="ultimate">{{Cite web|url=https://www.elitesports.com/blogs/news/ultimate-guide-to-boxing-punch-number-system|title=Ultimate Guide to Punch Number System|access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref><ref name="rumble">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rumbleboxinggym.com/6-punches|title=6 Punches|access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref><ref name="join">{{Cite web|url=https://blog.joinfightcamp.com/training/the-punch-number-system-1-6-explained/|title=The Punch Number System 1-6|access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref><ref name="understanding">{{Cite web|url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/boxing-fundamentals-understanding-the-boxing-punch-number-system/|title=Boxing Fundamentals Understanding the Boxing Punch Number System|access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref><ref name="dynamic">{{Cite web|url=https://dynamicstriking.com/blogs/news/basic-boxing-punches-1-8?srsltid=AfmBOoqobFz2gELHI6CTqMb9QeJpvL__PwqMIBA4ZK49GbYEw3BilN-u|title=Basic Boxing Punches 1-8|access-date=August 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> As boxers learn the fundamentals they begin to learn how to incorporate these punches together in a variety of combinations. The "one-two combo" is the first combination a boxer will learn from their coach that utilizes different punches, this is because the one-two combo consist of two fundamental punches first learned as a beginner. It is one of the most commonly used combinations in boxing.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://d36m266ykvepgv.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/U3ycXujQ3J/o/the-sweet-science-101.pdf|title=The sweet science 101: go the distance|last=Ferguson|first=Kevin|last2=Hobbie|first2=Peter|publisher=United States intercollegiate boxing association|year=2014}}</ref>
In a one-two combo, the objective is to get in range and land a power-punch.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Fighting fit : boxing workouts, techniques and sparring|author=Werner, Doug|date=2000|publisher=Tracks Pub|others=Lachica, Alan.|isbn=1884654460|edition= 1st|location=San Diego, Calif.|oclc=646833127}}</ref> In this situation, both the jab and cross have different purposes. Naturally, the boxing stance has the lead hand in front, closer to the opponent while the dominant hand is in the back, further from the opponent. In this combo, the jab (lead hand) is designed as a range finder to close the distance between a fighter and their opponent to set up a power-punch (backhand).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingcrunch.com/boxing-tips-for-beginners/#5_Boxing_Combos_for_Beginners|title=5 Boxing Combos for Beginners|last=S|first=Josh|date=October 28, 2019|website=www.boxingcrunch.com|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> In a one-two combo the cross is the power punch due to the torque and rotation of the body required when using this technique.<ref name=":1" /> While throwing this combo, the jab is thrown while stepping forward into range and is followed by the cross while the jab is retracted back to guard, after the cross makes impact it is then retracted back to guard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.expertboxing.com/boxing-basics/how-to-box/how-to-throw-a-one-two-punch-combination|title=How to Throw a One-Two Punch Combination|last=N|first=Johnny|date=January 22, 2010|website=www.expertboxing.com|access-date=2019-02-13}}</ref>
When this combination lands successfully, the boxer's jab is used to lift their opponent's head in order to expose their chin for their cross - resulting in the one-two combo.<ref name=":1" />
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Boxing}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:One-Two Combo}} Category:Punches (combat) Category:Boxing terminology Category:Kickboxing terminology Category:Boxing