Right hook/overhand/cross/straight

[cocobeware]

I get a little confused with the definitions of different right hands shots.

I think the last time we established that any punch that crosses over the opponents jabbing arm is a right cross . But most people seem to refer to the straight right hand as the cross which can lead to some confusion.

What about the overhand right and right hook, It seems like the overhand is sort of like a hybrid between the straight right and right hook..?

Does that sound about right?

How many different kinds of right hand punches are there? Is a lot of it just people using different names for the same thing?

[boyla]

Any hook is thrown with a bent arm.
Overhand right is rarely thrown but is done in such a manner as it comes up and over the guard.

You have straight right, Long range right hook, medium range right hook, short range right hook, right upper cut to head, overhand right.
Straight right to body,uppercut to body, right hook to body.

[cocobeware]

So if the elbow comes up it's a right hook or overhand, If elbow stays down it's a straight right hand..? I mean obviously the punch still turns over at the end but in a much more linear compact fashion..

Also some people refer to a looping right hand but I guess that could be a hook or an overhand.

For it to be an overhand would it have to come over the top of the guard as opposed to around the side of the guard across the v in the opponents arm..?

Or is it more to do with the mechanics of the punch rather than the intended target..?

[greynotsoold]

I use some real technical terminology...
"Keep the elbow down and just shoot it."
"Bring it back over the top."
"Bring it up from underneath."
Specifically, that would be a straight right hand, a right hand that comes over the opponent's left shoulder and/or jab, a right uppercut. That's about it. A lot of guys go around inventing terminology because they think it makes them sound real smart.

[cocobeware]

I thought an overhand right was a fairly common shot but perhaps they were just straight rights with the elbow up/out..? I sort of thought that was a no no with the straight right.

It seems to be more with short right hands,Perhaps this is because if you cant get full extension on it then it sort of smothers the shot but if you pop the elbow out you can still get a good snap to it.

Might see if I can find some videos to help explain.

[cocobeware]

Sorry to bump this thread again but I came across this which explains it pretty well..Boxing | Right cross Straight right Difference

I realize a lot of people use the term right cross and straight right to mean the same thing but would it be fair to say that the punch most commonly used as a right cross counter would be an overhand right..?

[StrictlySP]

Hi cocobeware,
Your questions have been answered but here's my two cents on the overhand/cross/straight right hand angle.

An overhand right was originally called a right cross. In the last three to four decades or so, a right cross has come to be synonymous with a straight right hand, which is a term still commonly used as well. Anyway, I believe this came into being as the term "cross" is a singular name for a rear-handed straight shot that compliments the "jab," which represents a singular name for a lead-handed straight shot. With that, the classic one-two came to be widely called the jab-cross. Since that transition, the term "right cross" as meaning an overhand right has been rendered obsolete in boxing parlance.

On another note regarding terminology, one thing that irritates me with boxing commentators is their unwillingness to call a rear-handed hook, a hook punch. They'll call it anything but, ranging from an overhand right to a looping right hand, when it is clearly a rear-handed hook punch.

I think it's silly that boxing purists don't acknowledge the existence of a rear-handed hook in a boxer's arsenal because it does exists (as a natural bilateral complement to a lead-handed left hook), which is frequently used by countless boxers, pro and amateur, whether or not it's "officially" acknowledged.

Below is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Watch from 1:30 to 2:25 and you'll clearly see the southpaw stance-based Pacquiao throwing a rear-handed left hook (to the right side of Ricky Hatton's jaw) to knock him clean out.



If I recall correctly, when Pacquiao was interviewed afterwards, the interviewer called the knockout punch an overhand but Pacquiao corrected him and said it was a hook.

Below is another example, this time courtesy of orthodox stance-based Roy Jones Jr. Watch from 2:22 to 2:36 and you'll clearly see Roy taking out Virgil Hill with a rear-handed right body hook to his left ribs/spleen area.



Anyway...

Take Care,
Lito

[cocobeware]

I hear what your saying about the rear handed hook,I have noticed that too.It seems to be more common with American boxing,I guess probably because it's always been considered a bit of a no no by some.

I hear the term right hook used quite commonly in the uk however at least in amature boxing.

I always thought looping right hand was just another name for an overhand right and short right hand i'm not too sure about other than it's up close and you pop the elbow somewhat.

[cocobeware]

But I'm gonna take greynotsoold advice said keep it simple.. It's can either go..
Straight down the middle(straight right hand)
Over the top (overhand)
Round the side (Hook)
From underneath (uppercut) in the right situation the first 3 can be classed as a cross counter(old school) But a lot of people use cross as another name for a straight(new school).

I think I was allowing myself to become bamboozled with different terms.

[cocobeware]

Also I have learned that the cross usually involves a slip to the inside of youre opponents jab.

This was the key thing that has helped me to understand the difference between the right cross and straight right.

Plus I have noticed that by taking a little step forward/left with my front foot when I slip inside, This will essentialy turn the punch into a right hook.