Lead Uppercut
- Striking
- Punches
- intermediate
- Orthodox stance
- 4 steps
A short rising lead-hand punch up the centre, ideal inside the pocket against a high guard. Also known as the Mud Seuy (lead). Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the lead uppercut when the opponent covers up behind a high guard or leans forward to smother your punches. It splits a tight guard and catches an opponent who ducks or changes levels. Throw it after a cross, with your hips already turned to load it.
Step by step
- 01
Set your stance
Compact, hands up.
- 02
Dip and load
Bend the lead knee slightly and dip the lead shoulder to load the legs.
- 03
Drive it up the middle
Extend the legs and rotate the hip as the lead fist travels straight up through the chin.
- 04
Recover to guard
Snap the hand straight back to your chin and reset your stance. Never leave it out.
Key details
- Drive with the legs and hips, not the arm.
- Keep it tight to the centre-line to slip between the guard.
- A small dip loads it. Do not drop the head low.
Common mistakes
- Winding the hand down before throwing.
- Leaning back instead of driving up.
- Over-dipping and exposing the head.
Common counters
An uppercut thrown from outside the pocket misses and leaves your jaw open to a hook or a straight punch. Opponents also catch it on the rear glove and counter over the top. Stay close and keep it short.
How to drill it
Your partner holds a mitt facing down at chin height and steps in with their head low; fire the lead uppercut as they arrive. Do three rounds of two minutes, finishing every uppercut with a lead hook to the head.
Related techniques
- CrossStrikingThe rear-hand straight punch: your primary power shot, driven by rotating the hip and pivoting the rear foot.
- Lead HookStrikingA short horizontal lead-hand punch that turns through the side of the target on the pivot of the hips.
- Rear HookStrikingA power hook from the rear hand, turning the whole body to land on the side of the head.
- Rear UppercutStrikingA rising rear-hand punch up the centre, driven by a small dip and a powerful leg drive.
- OverhandStrikingA looping rear-hand power punch that arcs over the opponent’s guard and crashes down on the head.
- Liver Shot (Body Hook)StrikingA lead hook dug into the body below the ribs: a fight-ending shot that drains the gas tank.
Train it with the AI coach