Jab–Cross–Low Kick

  • Striking
  • Combinations
  • intermediate
  • Orthodox stance
  • 5 steps

A kickboxing staple, punches up high to freeze the hands, then a low kick to the legs. Also known as the 1-2-kick or the Hands to legs. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 5 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Set your stance

    Hands up, weight ready to load the kick.

    Jab–Cross–Low Kick step 1 of 5: Set your stance
  2. 02

    Jab (1)

    Lead jab to occupy their guard up high.

    Jab–Cross–Low Kick step 2 of 5: Jab (1)
  3. 03

    Cross (2)

    Rear cross to keep their hands and eyes high.

    Jab–Cross–Low Kick step 3 of 5: Cross (2)
  4. 04

    Low kick

    As the cross lands, pivot the lead foot and chop the rear shin into their thigh while they are focused up top.

    Jab–Cross–Low Kick step 4 of 5: Low kick
  5. 05

    Recover to stance

    Bring the leg back and reset your base, hands up.

    Jab–Cross–Low Kick step 5 of 5: Recover to stance

Key details

  • The punches freeze their attention high so the kick lands clean.
  • Pivot the base foot for the kick just as in a stand-alone low kick.
  • Flow straight from the cross into the kick without resetting.

Common mistakes

  • Pausing before the kick and losing the setup.
  • Forgetting to pivot the base foot.
  • Dropping the hands as you throw the kick.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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