southpaw problems

[danmackay]

Even while circleing to my left and pumping right straight combinations along with a lot of liver punching i am always eating right hooks...any tips?

[danmackay]

come on guys im an amateur boxer i have two bouts and an exhibition i fought this guy in my exhibition...the only time an opponent has got the best of me i need to neutralize that right hook its clearly his best punch and its a possibility hes my next opponent.

[Youngblood]

So you're southpaw then?

I mean, the circling left deal I found works good against southies for us othros who typically circle right. It helps keep us from walking into those sneaky lefts. But it doesn't come easy and can be a painful change of natural flow to learn.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. You are a southie, or against. What I do know is I switch up a lot, and my stance in southpaw is quite different then ortho. And I have different strengths and weaknesses. One weakness is, dropping my guard after throwing a right jab southie, so hooks certainly could be an issue there. But again, am usually circling left, so moving away from it, as opposed to into it.

It might be something as simple as that. In which case you need to work on getting back to guard quick. But would really need more info. I use my sparring tapes to review and it all makes a lot more sense after seeing what I am doing wrong. It is hard to figure out often when in there, compared to watching later.

[danmackay]

sorry i didnt give you that information completely slipped my mind im an ortho thats why i circle left my entire offense is lead my jab i based my style of miguel cottos i jab my way into combinations that always include body punches my best punch is my left hook but its neutralized by his right should i circle the opposite way instead maybe

[Youngblood]

sorry i didnt give you that information completely slipped my mind im an ortho thats why i circle left my entire offense is lead my jab i based my style of miguel cottos i jab my way into combinations that always include body punches my best punch is my left hook but its neutralized by his right should i circle the opposite way instead maybe

I think it is worth a go and changing that direction might help. Especially if it is the right that is getting ya. Circling direction always plays a big factor. Thing is, how much time do you have before you face him again? It isn't the type of thing you want to run in there and do unless you've been working it in sparring. You just might find yourself now walking into straight lefts instead.

[danmackay]

good point i have about a month i could end up facing someone else its never set in stone but im starting to think he could be a converted right hander he didnt throw as many lefts only in combinations that almost always ended in right hands im gonna have to establish a few ideas and back up plans any ideas would be great

[jujulio]

I had a southpaw in my club who always landed right hooks. So what i did once is stepping on the left to invite him to take his shot, he launched a right hook (i was hoping for it) just had the time to duck under and give hime a right hook to the body. But i didn't try it afterwards and circled to the right with a southpwa stance too, so that i could keep him away with strong jabs with my right. One other thing to try would be to catch his right bicep with your left and then land a right, but i guess it requires a lot of skill, never tried it

[danmackay]

what about maybe striking his right to take some power away from it like left hook the shoulder or right hook to the bicep maybe a straight to the shoulder-collar bone area?

[Youngblood]

I understand the need/want to micro-manage these sorts of things, by trying to figure out specific movements, counters and strikes and such, but I personally would try a different route (if possible), that will often yield good results.

That being, trying to find sparring partners that as closely resemble your opponent and their style, and getting as much work in with them as possible. I'm doing this now, as have a fight coming up with a bull rushing KO artist. So I'm trying to do more rounds with these kinds of guys, and even asking them to tailer their styles a bit, and do certain things in sparring that I expect I'll be up against come fight night.

I realize a variety of sparring isn't always possible, but if it is for you, that will help you more then anything.

[cnote111]

Circling to your left is typically the right thing to do; in addition to that, when throwing your right hand be sure to step on the outside of his lead/right foot getting as close to him as possible, this should neutralize his right hand from getting any power and he won't be in a very good position to throw the hook or a left hand. After the your right hand follow it with one or two hooks until he makes the adjustment and pivots to his left then fire off another right hand... Rinse and Repeat until he makes the adjustment to stop you from getting to the outside of his right leg.. Be sure to utilize your up and down head movement you will slip more hooks without even trying. Good luck and keep your hands up!


~just my 2 cents~

[Chris Nagel]

I recommend sparring with as much southpaws as much as possible (maybe you can coerce a leftie friend to join your club? ) That's the best way to learn what works and what doesn't. I had a novice southpaw at my gym, so I was able to stay in control and try different things without fear of eating canvas.

The left hook, which seems to be typical for righties to use, I find the straight right to the body after slipping a hard jab to be much more fun. in fact, right hand counters to the body are my favorite, and it's a good way to make southpaws hate God for putting their liver in such a convenient hitting location. If you lead with the right, make sure it's a 'straight' right. Anything that's a swing is easy for a southpaw to counter. Keep in mind that any southpaw with half a brain should be ready for any right hands that come their way.

Other than that, I feel that at times the two jabbing arms are competing over space. I think the Bernard Hopkins vs. Antonio Tarver fight is a good example on how you can offset a southpaw's jab while asserting your own. It's also a tactic that many southpaws employ themselves. What I'm talking about is batting down their right hand with your left, and coming back with your own jab or right hand. With that said, it's a good idea to keep your left hand up so that you can quickly respond by parrying their right hand, or jabbing when you notice them starting their jab, or if they're jabbing too low. Otherwise, a quick left hook over the top while circling left can be a good set up punch to help you land the right hand.

As for combinations, you can throw a straight right followed by a left hook or vice-versa. Note that you'll have to either move into position or walk them into a punch first.

If you're circling right, you should be ready for any left hands. It's something to be explored, that's learning how to counter the straight.

Take a look at the Important posts section. I think that Grey, Thomas, and Andre have some really good tips for taking on a southpaw.

[Chris Nagel]

I've been browsing the back pages, and here are several posts/threads that may help:

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...thpaw-jab.html

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...tml#post360625

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...ork-lefty.html

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxingfor...u-get-hit.html

[Chris Nagel]

I just remembered something. Since you're going to be fighting a southpaw, why not have have your trainer stand in a southpaw stance while you're hitting the pads? This takes into account the different distances and angles required in hitting a southpaw, and your pad-work should also establish that.

[Andre]

This sounds weird but it works if you train it in.

As you have found out heading that way just to avoid his strong side has a downside.


'If you just put your arm out a hook can come around it. If you are moving towards the arm you are getting tagged even harder when it does get around or under.

But if you turn and face the hook slightly your arm nullifies the hook and it sets you up perfectly to be able to simultaneously throw a right hand down the pipe as you head further over to your left so you are on the move away from his right :which will definatley come in reaction if you dont either move out or tag him first (so why not set him up so you can do both at the same time).

You'll have to set that up and get the timing right with someone slowly ,speed it up then in real time sparring; anyone can act that out for you a righty or a lefty or even set it up with pad work or zero contact then progress to sparring ,then to the real thing.

So even if you have thrown a committed straight left and you know his right hook is on its way you just keep the jab out and turn bodily to face the hooks path ; your arm is already out there so use it! turn and face the hook and throw your right hand down the pipe, its very natural from there the right has alot of power cause you have opened your hips up and are closing them again as it comes through: be on the move with your legs , move through his right arm on an angle and then set yourself back square and continue the attack as he reacts.

People can't throw two arms at once, so deal with the one and move out slightly from the other, but use the opening you just created.

If his hook is low you can drop your arm face it and go through that way cause its safe, his hook is expended already just make him pay with your right and be ready to continue moving.

If he doubles up the hook you have choked the second one out by shorteneing the distance and if you maintain contact so your glove or your forearm follows his arm,thencause you are moving through, you can open him right up and have his balance and still throw the right straight down the pipe. Its footwork adjustment on his final reaction and if you are in close you will feel him react thats when you can really finish him right on that turning point.

[Chris Nagel]

This sounds weird but it works if you train it in.

As you have found out heading that way just to avoid his strong side has a downside.


'If you just put your arm out a hook can come around it. If you are moving towards the arm you are getting tagged even harder when it does get around or under.

But if you turn and face the hook slightly your arm nullifies the hook and it sets you up perfectly to be able to simultaneously throw a right hand down the pipe as you head further over to your left so you are on the move away from his right :which will definatley come in reaction if you dont either move out or tag him first (so why not set him up so you can do both at the same time).

You'll have to set that up and get the timing right with someone slowly ,speed it up then in real time sparring; anyone can act that out for you a righty or a lefty or even set it up with pad work or zero contact then progress to sparring ,then to the real thing.

So even if you have thrown a committed straight left and you know his right hook is on its way you just keep the jab out and turn bodily to face the hooks path ; your arm is already out there so use it! turn and face the hook and throw your right hand down the pipe, its very natural from there the right has alot of power cause you have opened your hips up and are closing them again as it comes through: be on the move with your legs , move through his right arm on an angle and then set yourself back square and continue the attack as he reacts.

People can't throw two arms at once, so deal with the one and move out slightly from the other, but use the opening you just created.

If his hook is low you can drop your armsface it and go through that way cause its safe, his hook is expended already just make him pay with your right and be ready to continue moving.

If he doubles up the hook you have choked the second one out by shorteneing the distance and if you maintain contact so your glove or your forearm follows his arm,thencause you are moving through, you can open him right up and have his balance and still throw the right straight down the pipe. Its footwork adjustment on his final reaction and if you are in close you will feel him react thats when you can really finish him right on that turning point.

Those are some good ideas, mate. First you're using your extended left arm for cover to block the right, and the second is smothering them so they can't get off the right hook while you have space to throw your right. I'd be careful when coming in, some guys might throw the right uppercut instinctively if you get too close. You'd also have to be aware of his left hand which can come into play when you're in range. It's dangerous business to try to anticipate punches up close, I don't think that I'm that brave.

Anyways as for styles, what would you do against a southpaw opponent whose lead hand low (around their hip), and you could get close enough? Would you try to pin their arm? What would you try to do?