Lead Kick → Cross

Intermediate

Lead Kick, Cross leads with the leg and finishes with the hand. Check or fake the lead kick to draw a reaction, then land the cross into the gap it creates. It also runs in reverse as cross then lead kick.

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What this combo trains

This combo develops the ability to open the hands with a kick, the reverse of the usual punch-into-kick order. The lead-leg roundhouse, loaded with a small step or switch, draws the opponent's reaction low or to the side. The cross then lands as they respond, teaching you to use a kick as the setup and a punch as the finish, and to read the opening a leg attack creates.

Step by step

  1. 1.
    Lead Kick

    Throw the lead kick off your front leg, loading it with a small step or switch. Whether you land it or fake it, it draws the opponent's reaction and creates the opening.

  2. 2.
    Cross

    Fire the cross off the rear hand with hip rotation as they react to the kick. Step your weight forward into the gap the kick opened.

Common mistakes

  • Recovering the lead kick flat-footed, so you cannot plant and drive the cross behind it.
  • Fully committing to the kick when a fake would have opened the same reaction faster.
  • Landing the kick and then admiring it, losing the window for the cross.
  • Reaching with the cross instead of stepping the weight in to close the distance.

Who it suits

An intermediate combo for fighters comfortable leading with the lead leg. It works from orthodox or southpaw, and reverses to cross then lead kick, because the app mirrors every left and right to your stance.

Why it works

Check or fake a kick from the lead side, then land the cross as the opponent reacts. Also works the other way round as cross, lead kick.

Workouts with this combo

Related combos

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