Sparring a hooker

[RozzySean]

Naturally his left hook is going to be coming from your right hand side.
I've got a few ideas that rely on this.
1) Old school fighters used to use an "inside parry" where the arm is poked out in a straight line, hitting the inside of the oncoming forearm and thus preventing the blow from landing. If you throw a straight right while he throws his hook while bringing the shoulder round to rpotect your head, you'll either land first and set him off balance or block the oncoming punch by tangling the arms.

2)I realise that when friends spar it get's competitive and thats good. But theres no shame in moving away from his left, Circling left while looking out for the right is simple and effective.

3)An elbow defense is easy and practiacl. Lift the elbow and forearm to cushion the impact of the left hook and retaliate with your own hook, easy.

4) Left Hook guys are often sloppy with the left hook, when he throws it, watch his right hand, if it drops make him regret it.

I forgot about that inside perry move. I've never practiced it, but that would be a good thing to ask my trainer about and work on over the next few weeks. When I spar that kid, I'll definately move left away from the hook. He does drop his right sometimes when he throws it.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Thats great man, You should do well as long as you keep your head and learn during the spar.
Also, remeber that you've got an Arsenal of your own that he has to be wary of.

[RozzySean]

Thanks, Donny. Like everybody, I'm still work in progress...I just need to get as much sparring is as a I can with as may different people as I can. I'm still at the point where I have a hard time transitioning from offense to defense and sparring is the only way to fix that. If I pull off one or two good counters a round I'm pretty happy. The Muay Thai side of my gym has much larger membership. Sometimes we have to dip into their ranks to give us new looks and styles. My gym has a fair amount of fitness-only boxers and rookie teenagers. That's one of the reasons I want to bring in my friend...variety.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I know precise;ly what you mean mate.
But I don't think it's a bad idea to spar a feew Thai fighters. I myself spar quite a few mma guys and if anything it really helps me as they are predominantly big hitters (if slightly slower and less technical)

It certainly benefits them by sparring a boxer, so perhaps suggest that to a couple of them.
One of my best mates ius a Southpaw, what can I say, come every competition, I nearly prefer to see Southpaws coming now!

[El Kabong]

I LOVE fighting southpaws....I like throwing hooks and right crosses and they nearly always land. Left hook to the body, drops the lead hand and HELLO right cross! You can also land a right hook on them as an orthodox fighter....one of my hardest punches but it's seldom used.

Taller fighters are also good to fight as well as shorter ones.


The more styles you spar against, the more comfortable you get in the ring vs anyone you will fight.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I LOVE fighting southpaws....I like throwing hooks and right crosses and they nearly always land. Left hook to the body, drops the lead hand and HELLO right cross! You can also land a right hook on them as an orthodox fighter....one of my hardest punches but it's seldom used.

Taller fighters are also good to fight as well as shorter ones.


The more styles you spar against, the more comfortable you get in the ring vs anyone you will fight.

The left hook to the body against a southpaw is a little difficult unless you stand straight on.
However as your American I suppose you don't have the same acute angle that the European style does. With the European conventional stance it's quite easy for a left hook to the body to stray around a soputhpaws back and be deeded an intentional foul or kidney blow.

[El Kabong]

It might be a foul but it doesn't LOOK like a foul which is why you're able to land it....I don't aim for the kidneys or anything because that would be wrong but right above or slightly behind the hip bone. If you're afraid of fouling just hit them on the arm or right under the arm

They also have a tough time seeing the left hook coming if you distract them with the right cross.