Cross → Lead Knee

Intermediate

Cross, Lead Knee bridges from punching range into the knee, and often into the clinch. The cross closes the distance, then the lead knee drives up into the body as you arrive.

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What this combo trains

This combo develops the entry from boxing range into knees and clinch. The cross carries your weight forward and gives the opponent something to defend, closing the gap. From there the lead knee drives the hip forward into the body, teaching you to convert a punch into a knee entry and, often, to follow straight into a clinch rather than backing out.

Step by step

  1. 1.
    Cross

    Drive the cross off the rear hand with hip rotation, pushing your weight forward to close the distance. It occupies the guard and covers your step in.

  2. 2.
    Lead Knee

    Fire the lead knee straight up into the body, driving the hip forward as you arrive. Use the closing momentum from the cross, and look to follow into a clinch entry.

Common mistakes

  • Throwing the cross without stepping in, so you are too far out to land the knee.
  • Pulling the knee up with the leg alone instead of driving the hip forward into it.
  • Leaning back as you knee, which kills the forward drive and your balance.
  • Failing to establish a grip or clinch entry, so you knee once and drift back out of range.

Who it suits

An intermediate combo for fighters starting to work the clinch. It works from orthodox or southpaw because the app mirrors every left and right to your stance.

Why it works

Punches to close distance, then a straight knee to the body. Often finishes with a clinch entry.

Workouts with this combo

Related combos

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