What are the four punches in the Body-to-Head Ladder?

The combination consists of a rear body hook, a lead body hook, a rear uppercut, and a lead hook to the head.

How should you change levels during the Body-to-Head Ladder?

You should drop your level for the body punches using your knees rather than your back, and rise to head level for the final punches using your legs.

What is the timing requirement for landing the punches?

Each punch in the combination must land within 0.3 seconds of the previous one.

What common mistake should be avoided when performing the body shots?

Boxers should avoid hunching over for body shots, as this opens them up to a knee or uppercut from the opponent.

combinationsintermediate

Body-to-Head Ladder

In Short

The Body-to-Head Ladder is a four-punch combination consisting of a rear body hook, lead body hook, rear uppercut, and lead hook to the head. This sequence uses investment punches to drop the opponent's guard before striking the open chin zone.

A 4-punch combination that climbs the ladder: rear body hook, lead body hook, rear uppercut, lead hook to the head. The investment punches drop the opponent's guard; the final two punches arrive in the now-open chin zone. Gennady Golovkin's signature pressure ladder.

Key points

▸Drop level for the body punches with the knees, not the back.
▸Rise level for the head punches with the legs.
▸Each punch lands within 0.3 seconds of the previous.
▸Step at a slight angle on the third punch to set up the lead hook.

Common mistakes

✗Hunching over for the body shots — opens to a knee/uppercut.
✗Pausing between body and head — gives the opponent time to reset their guard.
✗Standing tall before the final hook — telegraphs.

Drills

Heavy-bag: 5 rounds of body-to-head ladder, focusing on level changes.
Mitts: catcher positions mitts at body height for first two, head height for last two.

Related techniques

Lead Body Hook Rear Body Hook Rear Uppercut Lead Hook

Frequently Asked

What are the four punches in the Body-to-Head Ladder?: The combination consists of a rear body hook, a lead body hook, a rear uppercut, and a lead hook to the head.
How should you change levels during the Body-to-Head Ladder?: You should drop your level for the body punches using your knees rather than your back, and rise to head level for the final punches using your legs.
What is the timing requirement for landing the punches?: Each punch in the combination must land within 0.3 seconds of the previous one.
What common mistake should be avoided when performing the body shots?: Boxers should avoid hunching over for body shots, as this opens them up to a knee or uppercut from the opponent.