Boxing Lead Uppercut
Quick Information
Category
Combat Sports
Difficulty
Intermediate
Equipment
Hand Wraps, Boxing Gloves
Primary muscle group
Deltoids, Pectoralis Major, Triceps Brachii
Secondary muscle groups
Obliques, Gluteals, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Rotational Horizontal Push
Training goal
Skill Acquisition
Sport
Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing, General Athletic Development
Overview
Purpose. Attack up the middle at close range, under the opponent’s guard, using leg drive rather than arm lift.
How it fits the system. The vertical punch in the Combat Sports section, essential for inside fighting. Related work in the library: Boxing Rear Uppercut and Boxing Uppercut-Hook-Cross Combination.
Primary muscles
Deltoids, Pectoralis Major, Triceps Brachii
Secondary muscles
Obliques, Gluteals, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Rotational Horizontal Push
Equipment
Hand Wraps, Boxing Gloves
Difficulty
Intermediate
How to Perform
- From the stance, dip slightly by bending the lead knee, keeping the chest upright.
- Rotate the lead hip and drive upward, sending the fist up the centre line with the palm facing you.
- Keep the elbow close to the body and the punch short.
- Return the hand straight to the guard and recover the stance height.
Coaching Cues
- “Dip the knee, not the head.”
- “Elbow stays in; the punch is short.”
- “Drive up from the floor.”
Common Mistakes
- Leaning the head forward and down, which walks the chin into a counter.
- Winding the hand down before punching, which telegraphs it.
Progressions & Regressions
Progressions
Add it inside a combination, then to the body, then as a counter to a jab.
Regressions
Practise the dip and drive without a punch until the leg action is clear.
When to Use It
When to use
Technical rounds, pad work and bag work in a striking session.
When not to use
Hand, wrist or shoulder injury, or any suspected concussion.
Programming
3–5 rounds of 2–3 minutes, 60 seconds rest between rounds.
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