southpaws

[twtguy]

what kind of defense can be used against them as far as blocking punches goes? i encountered a south paw the other day, and i didn't know what to do (im a left lead). should i catch his crosses with the rear hand or cover up? and with the jab...should i catch the jab with my lead hand or cover up?

[twtguy]

any help would be much appreciated

[treelizard]

Block his right hook with your left hand, try to catch his right jab with your left hand (see if that works, watch for follow-ups), catch his left jab with your right hand if possible. It just takes practice... Keep moving left with your foot on the outside and use your left hook as much as you can.

I hope I got this right... I train southpaw (I'm right handed but have a tiny bit of JKD influence) as does one of the guys I train with and am trying to remember what we do...

There's actually a lot of boxers on here, maybe one of them will chime in. (I'm just a hobbyist.)

[twtguy]

fantastic advice and pointers! much thanks treelizard.

[Mike Brewer]

Originally Posted by twtguy

what kind of defense can be used against them as far as blocking punches goes? i encountered a south paw the other day, and i didn't know what to do (im a left lead). should i catch his crosses with the rear hand or cover up? and with the jab...should i catch the jab with my lead hand or cover up?

I am a natural right hander, but I fight southpaw. Have since I was six. The "formula" for beating us left handers is pretty cut and dry. Circle to the outside of our lead hand. This kills the jab and makes the power shots harder to land. Use the straight right as a lead blow from time to time. If you're circling correctly, it will land with surprising ease. It slips through the guard the way your jab would on an orthodox fighter. Work the left hook to the body. A southpaw puts his liver up front, and your body blows will have more effect, so use them. Try this strategy, and let me know how it works out. I'd be willing to bet that you'll enjoy some immediate success. If that works out for you, I'll add to it.

Summary:

• Circle outside his lead hand.
  
• Throw the lead right hand (use your cross the way you normally do your jab) from time to time.
  
• Work the left hook to the body.

[twtguy]

thanks mike! your advice is always much appreciated. ill give it a shot and get back to you. i should spar that kid again within the week.

[gregimotis]

-Try to keep your lead foot outside his lead foot. This actually applies to boxing generally, but lends itself particularly to the open stance.

-Pat block his jab with your lead hand and counter with a jab off the same hand.

-Fake the jab and see what he does, if he reflexively reaches to block it (as many beginners do, and some not-beginners), then fake the jab again and this time follow-up by going over the top.

-pat block the right hand with your left (rear hand) and again, go over the top.

-If you're feeling a little dirty, allow yourself to step on his toes every now and again, it won't win you a fight, but its irritating.





Mike got the high points, these are just some little tricks.

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

I am a natural right hander, but I fight southpaw. Have since I was six. The "formula" for beating us left handers is pretty cut and dry. Circle to the outside of our lead hand. This kills the jab and makes the power shots harder to land. Use the straight right as a lead blow from time to time. If you're circling correctly, it will land with surprising ease. It slips through the guard the way your jab would on an orthodox fighter. Work the left hook to the body. A southpaw puts his liver up front, and your body blows will have more effect, so use them. Try this strategy, and let me know how it works out. I'd be willing to bet that you'll enjoy some immediate success. If that works out for you, I'll add to it.

Summary:

• Circle outside his lead hand.
  
• Throw the lead right hand (use your cross the way you normally do your jab) from time to time.
  
• Work the left hook to the body.

Are you saying convert to south paw? That's what it sounds like.

[gregimotis]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Are you saying convert to south paw? That's what it sounds like.

I don't think that's what he's saying - but in the open stance, what works for the lefty also works for the righty. The lead hand (jab/hook) is closer to the opponent, using the rear hand as a lead works better than in a closed stance, circling counterclockwise moves away from his power hand.

[Mike Brewer]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Are you saying convert to south paw? That's what it sounds like.

No, not at all. I'm saying that you should throw your cross as a "leading punch," meaning you just don't set it up with a jab. In other words, instead of range-finding with a jab and then following with the cross, just start with the cross.

As for Gregi's statement about what works in the open stance, he's right with one exception. The liver is on the right side of the body for everyone, and it's a lot easier to hit and hurt than the spleen (the organ on the left side that takes your wind away). As far as body work is concerned, the fact that an orthodox fighter's left hand is close to the opponent's right side gives the advantage to the orthodox fighter every time - assuming ability is equal.

In an orthodox stance facing an orthodox stance, the rear hand has to reach across the body to hit the lead side (the spleen side) and the lead hook has to reach all the way to the opponent's rear side. When the fighter's are mismatched (righty vs. lefty), both can land lead hooks to the body with more ease, but the orthodox fighter's are more likely to do damage.