The Best Examples of Combination Punching Drills for Kickboxing

Why Combination Punching Matters in Kickboxing

Before jumping into specific examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing, it helps to understand why combinations are so valuable.

Kickboxing isn’t a “single-shot” sport. At any decent level, opponents are trained to block or slip that first punch. Combinations:

• Help you break through defenses
• Set up your kicks and knees
• Build rhythm, timing, and conditioning
• Force you to move your feet and head instead of standing like a statue

There’s also a health and conditioning angle. Interval-style striking drills have been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and body composition when done regularly. Organizations like the American Heart Association and CDC highlight the benefits of regular moderate-to-vigorous activity, and properly structured kickboxing drills fit that bill very well.

Let’s get into the good stuff: real, practical combinations you can start using today.

Simple Examples of Combination Punching Drills for Kickboxing Beginners

If you’re newer to the sport, you don’t need fancy spinning stuff. You need clean basics, good habits, and repetition. Here are beginner-friendly examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing that build a strong foundation.

Jab–Cross–Low Kick Flow

This is a classic, and one of the best examples of a simple combination that still works in real sparring.

Pattern:
Jab (1) → Cross (2) → Outside low kick (rear leg) → Step back out.

How to drill it:

• On the heavy bag, throw the jab-cross with your feet under you, not reaching.
• Rotate the hip on the cross, then immediately shift your weight to load the rear low kick.
• After the kick, step back to your stance instead of standing square.

Coaching focus:

• Keep your rear hand glued to your chin on the jab.
• Snap the jab, drive the cross, then whip the kick.
• Exhale lightly on each strike to avoid gassing out.

This is a great example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing that teaches you to blend hands into kicks without pausing.

Double Jab–Cross With Angle Step

This one teaches you to punch while moving and not stand in the center like a target.

Pattern:
Double jab (1–1) while stepping in → Cross (2) → Small angle step to your lead side.

How to drill it:

• In shadowboxing, imagine an opponent in front of you.
• Step in with the first jab, then a smaller step with the second.
• Throw the cross, then pivot or step off to your lead side about 6–12 inches.

Coaching focus:

• Don’t overreach on the double jab; keep it snappy.
• Turn your lead foot slightly when angling out.

Among the best examples of beginner combination punching drills for kickboxing, this one builds distance control and safer exits.

Jab–Cross–Hook on the Bag

Sometimes simple is best.

Pattern:
Jab (1) → Cross (2) → Lead hook (3).

How to drill it:

• On the bag, focus on clean technique, not power.
• Reset your stance after every combo; don’t let your feet drift.

Coaching focus:

• Rotate your lead foot and hip on the hook.
• Keep your elbow in line with your fist; don’t swing wide.

This is a classic example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing that teaches you to finish combinations with a hook, which often sneaks around a high guard.

Intermediate Examples of Combination Punching Drills for Kickboxing

Once your basics feel stable, you can start layering in defense, rhythm changes, and more integrated kickboxing movement.

Cross–Hook–Cross With Slip and Roll

This drill teaches offense and defense in one flow.

Pattern:
Cross (2) → Lead hook (3) → Cross (2) → Slip outside → Roll under.

How to drill it:

• On mitts or in partner drills, your partner throws a counter jab or cross after your last punch.
• You slip to the outside of their punch, then roll under an imaginary hook.

Coaching focus:

• Keep your knees slightly bent so slipping and rolling feel natural, not forced.
• Don’t over-exaggerate the slip; just move your head off the center line.

This is a strong example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing that builds automatic defensive reactions right after you attack.

Jab–Body Cross–Head Hook–Low Kick

Now we start changing levels.

Pattern:
Jab to head → Rear cross to body → Lead hook to head → Rear low kick.

How to drill it:

• On pads, your partner holds high for jab, low for the body cross, high again for the hook.
• Finish with a solid but controlled low kick to the pad or bag.

Coaching focus:

• Bend your knees and drop your level for the body shot instead of just leaning.
• Keep your eyes up while you punch the body.

Among intermediate examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing, this one teaches level changes that can really break an opponent’s guard.

Lead Hook–Cross–Lead Hook–Rear Kick

This drill teaches you to load your hips from side to side.

Pattern:
Lead hook → Cross → Lead hook → Rear body or head kick.

How to drill it:

• On the bag, focus on smooth transitions rather than smashing power.
• Let the last hook naturally load your rear hip for the kick.

Coaching focus:

• Don’t arm-punch the hooks; turn the hip and pivot the lead foot.
• After the kick, land back in stance, not square.

This is one of the best examples of a combination punching drill for kickboxing to teach hip rotation and flow from punches to kicks.

Advanced Examples of Combination Punching Drills for Kickboxing

If you’ve been training a while and want to feel more “fight-like” in your drills, these advanced patterns add feints, rhythm shifts, and more complex footwork.

Feint–Jab–Cross–Lead Hook–Rear High Kick

Here, you’re using a feint to set up a big finish.

Pattern:
Shoulder feint or half-jab → Real jab → Cross → Lead hook → Rear high kick.

How to drill it:

• In shadowboxing or on the bag, exaggerate the feint at first so you understand the motion.
• Gradually make the feint smaller and more realistic.

Coaching focus:

• The feint should look similar to your real jab: same shoulder and hip cue.
• Don’t rush the high kick; make sure your hip is fully turned over.

For advanced fighters, this is an excellent example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing because it teaches deception, not just output.

Pressure Combo: Double Jab–Cross–Body Hook–Head Hook–Angle Out

This one is great for fighters who like to pressure and “crowd” opponents.

Pattern:
Double jab forward → Cross → Lead hook to body → Lead hook to head → Pivot out to lead side.

How to drill it:

• On pads, your partner moves backward as you double jab in.
• After the final hook, they hold a target at an angle to encourage your pivot.

Coaching focus:

• Stay balanced while moving forward; don’t fall onto your front foot.
• Sink your weight slightly for the body hook.

This advanced pattern is a great example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing that blends pressure, level change, and safe exits.

Counter-Focused Drill: Slip–Cross–Hook–Cross–Low Kick

Now we build from defense into offense.

Pattern:
Opponent throws jab → Slip outside → Cross → Lead hook → Cross → Rear low kick.

How to drill it:

• In partner drills, partners take turns being the “attacker” and “counter-fighter.”
• The attacker throws a realistic jab; the counter-fighter runs the combo.

Coaching focus:

• Don’t slip before they actually throw; time your slip with their jab.
• Keep your eyes on the opponent the entire time.

Among advanced examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing, this one builds that “see and fire back” instinct that separates pad work from real fighting.

How to Structure a Training Session Around These Drills

Knowing several examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing is great, but how you organize them matters just as much.

Here’s a simple way to structure a 45–60 minute session:

Warm-Up (10–15 minutes)
Light jump rope, dynamic stretches, and 2–3 rounds of easy shadowboxing using your simplest combinations (like jab–cross–hook or jab–cross–low kick). Use this time to groove technique, not power.

Technical Rounds (15–20 minutes)
Pick two or three of the drills above. For example:

• Round 1–2: Jab–body cross–head hook–low kick
• Round 3–4: Cross–hook–cross with slip and roll

Work on the bag or pads, focusing on form, breathing, and balance. Keep the intensity moderate.

Conditioning Rounds (10–15 minutes)
Now take your favorite example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing and run it in intervals. For instance:

• 30 seconds of nonstop jab–cross–hook
• 30 seconds rest or light movement
• Repeat 6–8 times

High-intensity striking intervals like this line up with what research on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) shows for improving cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health. You can read more about HIIT benefits from sources like the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic.

Cooldown (5–10 minutes)
Light shadowboxing, then static stretching focusing on shoulders, hips, and hamstrings. This helps your body wind down and may reduce post-workout soreness, as discussed by organizations like Harvard Health.

Common Mistakes When Practicing Combination Punching Drills

When people try these examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing, a few bad habits pop up over and over.

Throwing Too Hard, Too Soon

If every punch is at 100%, your technique falls apart. Early rounds should feel like “technical sparring” with the bag or pads. Add power only after the combination feels smooth.

Forgetting Footwork

Many fighters plant their feet and machine-gun punches without moving. Build a simple rule: every time you finish a combo, take at least one small step or pivot. This trains you to hit and move, not hit and freeze.

Dropping the Hands Between Punches

When you’re focused on the pattern, your hands tend to drift. Record yourself or have a coach watch and call out when your guard drops. Even the best examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing won’t help if your defense disappears.

Ignoring Breathing and Pace

Holding your breath is a fast track to gassing out. Exhale sharply with each strike, and use the space between combinations to reset your breathing.

Adapting These Drills for Different Goals

The same example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing can look very different depending on your goals.

For Cardio and Weight Loss

• Use lighter power, higher volume.
• Shorten rest periods between rounds.
• Mix in simple combinations you can maintain for longer bursts.

Guidelines from the CDC recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week; kickboxing sessions built around these drills can help you reach that.

For Power and Fight Performance

• Focus on fewer, cleaner combinations.
• Emphasize hip rotation, balance, and proper impact.
• Give yourself more rest between high-intensity rounds.

For Beginners vs. Advanced Fighters

• Beginners: stick with 2–3 punch combinations and one kick at most.
• Advanced: add feints, level changes, and defensive moves between strikes.

You can take any of the examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing above and scale them up or down by adjusting speed, power, and complexity.

FAQ: Examples of Combination Punching Drills for Kickboxing

Q: What is a simple example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing I can use at home?
A: A great starter is jab–cross–hook on the bag or in shadowboxing. Focus on good stance, turning your hips on the cross and hook, and keeping your other hand up. It’s simple, but it teaches the core mechanics you’ll use in more advanced combinations.

Q: How many examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing should I practice in one session?
A: Two to four is plenty for most people. It’s better to repeat a few combinations with good form than to run through ten different patterns with sloppy technique.

Q: How often should I train these combination drills each week?
A: If your body feels good and you’re not overtraining, two to four kickboxing sessions per week works well for most recreational athletes. You can rotate different examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing so you don’t get bored and your skills stay well-rounded.

Q: Can I use these drills for conditioning even if I don’t plan to fight?
A: Absolutely. Many people use kickboxing drills purely for fitness and stress relief. As long as you warm up, use good form, and respect your limits, these examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing can be a fun way to meet general fitness goals.

Q: Do I need a partner, or can I do these combination punching drills solo?
A: You can do almost every example of a combination punching drill for kickboxing solo on a heavy bag or in shadowboxing. A partner or coach with pads adds realism and feedback, but solo work is still very effective.

If you pick just two or three of these examples of combination punching drills for kickboxing and stick with them for a few weeks, you’ll notice your hands flowing more naturally, your kicks setting up more smoothly, and your conditioning creeping upward without you obsessing over it. Start simple, stay consistent, and let the combinations grow with you.