Cross → Lead Hook → Rear Knee

Intermediate

Cross, Lead Hook, Rear Knee is a K-1-built sequence that turns the hips through two punches and then spears the rear knee up the middle off the same rotation, no clinch required.

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What this combo trains

This combination develops hip rotation and the ability to chain a knee off punches without needing a clinch. The cross and hook turn the hips through and load the rear leg, so the straight knee spears up the middle off the same rotational energy. It trains you to see the knee as a natural extension of a punching combination rather than a separate clinch tool.

Step by step

  1. 1.
    Cross

    Drive the cross off the rear hand, rotating the hip through to start loading the rear side.

  2. 2.
    Lead Hook

    Turn the lead hip through on the hook, elbow up, so the body is coiled and the rear leg is loaded.

  3. 3.
    Rear Knee

    Spear the rear knee straight up through the midsection off that same rotation, driving the hip forward without needing to clinch.

Common mistakes

  • Throwing the punches with the arms only, so the hips never load the rear leg for the knee.
  • Reaching for a clinch before the knee when the whole point is to fire it off the rotation.
  • Letting the knee arc sideways instead of spearing straight up the middle.
  • Leaning back on the knee rather than driving the hip forward through the target.

Who it suits

An intermediate combination for both orthodox and southpaw, mirrored to your stance by the app. It fits fighters learning to link knees to their punching without clinching first.

Why it works

The cross and hook turn the hips through and load the rear leg, so the knee spears up the middle off the same rotation. No clinch needed; K-1 rules built this one.

Workouts with this combo

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