Chaining combinations together is where the magic happens.

It's very rare in a fight you're going to just throw a single combo and that's it. You're always going to be chaining different things together, different punches, different combos combined with movement to position yourself in a new spot and then throw another combination.

If you are not drilling this and you're not perfecting this in shadow boxing, on the heavy bag, in sparring then you're not going to be executing this in the fight.

This is where the muscle memory is built.

Video Breakdown

How Chaining Combinations Works

There are multiple things that are going to be happening here:

• First Combination: It can be a one-punch combo, a two-punch combo, three-punch combo, anything of the above.
• Movement: You move to a new position.
• Second Combination: You execute another combination. One, two, three, four, or however many punches or kicks you want to throw in that second combination.

So it's going to be: first combination, movement, second combination.

Pick any combinations from Striking Fundamentals Vol.1 or Vol.2.

Know which combination you're going to throw.

Don't freestyle right off the bat. Focus on specific combos.

In between those two combos is your Fighter's Footwork.

Basic Drill: Combo 1, Move, Combo 2

You're going to execute your first combo. You're going to move to a new position and you're going to execute your second combo.

Example:

• First combo: jab, cross
• Movement: any fighter's footwork (side step, lateral side step, forward shuffle, backward shuffle, pivot, etc.)
• Second combo: cross, lead hook

So you throw your jab cross, pivot, cross lead hook.

Or: jab cross, side step shuffle, cross lead hook.

That's how you start chaining two combos together.

You can take it to another level with 3-punch combos.

For example:
Jab, cross, lead hook then side step shuffle followed by alternating 2 hooks to the body followed by 3rd hook to the head.

Most fights play out like this: throwing combinations, moving, throwing more combinations, repositioning constantly.

It's that constant repositioning and constant execution that's going to win you fights.

Basic drill structure:

• Combo number 1
• Movement
• Combo number 2
• Reset and repeat

Next Level: Adding Movement In and Out

The higher level is to introduce footwork moving in. And then when you're done with your combinations and chaining them together, you move out.

Instead of just standing there and throwing one combo, moving, second combo, you introduce movement into range first. Just like a fight. You have to move yourself into position, execute, move again, execute, and then move out of range.

Full Sequence:

• Move into range (forward shuffle or similar)
• Throw first combo
• Movement (pivot, side step, etc.)
• Throw second combo
• Move out (create distance to reset and catch your breath)

Example:

• Forward shuffle in, jab cross
• Pivot, cross lead hook
• Move out

Or: step in, jab cross, side step shuffle, cross lead hook and out.

Essentially what you're doing is: move into position, execute, move again, execute your second combo and then move out.

This can include one-punch, two, three or four-punch combos. You can introduce kicks, knees, different types of footwork, working different angles then moving in and at the end moving out.

How to Drill This Correctly

You have to drill this. You have to commit this into muscle memory. It starts right here on the heavy bag. It starts in shadow boxing.

You have to know exactly what you're going to execute:

• What combo you throw first
• What combo you throw second
• What's the footwork movement
• Which angle are you going to go into
• How are you going to move into position or move out

You have to be very deliberate in your drilling. You have to be very methodical. And you have to put the time and the reps on the bag, in shadow boxing, in sparring, on mitts until it becomes muscle memory.

That's when you'll be able to execute this in a fight fluently without a second thought.

This training of chaining combinations together is the next level up.

But first you need your Striking Fundamentals and your Fighter’s Footwork. You need to know exactly which combinations you're going to throw and which footwork movement you're going to introduce.