The Beginner's Guide to Boxing as a Southpaw

There are two types of boxing: the orthodox boxers and the southpaws. A boxer may choose to be a Southpaw for many reasons. Their natural left-handedness is one reason. This would place their dominant hand at the rear, giving them even more power.

A comfort factor is another reason why many boxers prefer to be in a southpaw position. It is easier to do footwork when your dominant foot is in front of your dominant hand.

Southpaw boxing can be challenging at first. Many aurora co gyms teach them how to imitate the techniques of an orthodox fighter. There are many techniques that can be used but there are some techniques, angles, and strategies that only southpaws can use in fighting orthodox boxers.

Stance

Let's start with the stance. A stance refers to the way you stand. Different sports use different stances. Southpaws favor an open stance when fighting an orthodox boxer. When they meet, orthodox boxers will often adopt a closed stance.

Situations in an open stance are more common than those in a closed one. Orthodox boxers are less likely to learn how to master open stances. Because they are orthodox boxers, southpaws excel at open stances. This is the southpaw advantage.

Open stances require different footwork. To master boxing, you must be able to adapt your footwork to both angles and to the footwork.

Some boxers prefer to keep one foot on the ground, while others prefer the other. Both can be done, as long as you maintain a weight of fifty-fifty between your feet.

Guard

Once you've learned how to get in a southpaw position you can choose the guard you like. The basic high guard should be your first choice, but you have the option to experiment with cross-arm or extended guards.

While you load your rear-hand, the long guard will keep your opponent at arm’s length. The cross-arm protector will close the gap and allow you to safely load your lead arm.

Angle

Southpaws should look from the outside and place your lead foot on the right of your opponent's. Your opponent's guard should be split so your left hand is in the right position. Your left hand should be in line with your opponent's chin. This angle was used by Manny Pacquiao to counter an opponent’s jab by using quick left straights.

Most orthodox boxers will choose to fight from the outside. Open stance matches are dominated by the outside angle, making it crucial for the lead foot. While the dominant outside angle is the dominant, the inside angle provides punching opportunities for your jab and lead hook.

Punches

The three basic punches of a southpaw are the jab, cross and lead hook. Tony Jeffries, an Olympic gold medalist, shows you how it's done in the video. As a southpaw you will use your right hand to throw your lead hook, jab and cross followed by your left hand to throw your cross.

When throwing lead hooks or jabs, you must always keep your right foot on the ground. Rotating your hips counterclockwise can be used to make punches. Crossing requires you to do a half-step using your left foot, and then rotate your hips clockwise.

For more information visit Peak Kickboxing / Jiu Jitsu.