Do you think that boxing is all about force and energy? Well, we are about to break your misconception here. Boxing is not only about energy but adopting a certain stance also plays an important role in a boxer style. What are stances? What about southpaw different boxing stances? How is the Orthodox stance suitable for me? This article is all about giving you perfect answers to all your questions.
If you want to be a professional boxer, then you must know the crucial and fundamental boxing stances. When you jump into the boxing world, you’ll get to know about different boxing stances. So that you can choose one for yourself. Coming sections of this article will help you select the most suitable boxing footwork.
Boxing Stances:
Do you know what stances are? Basically, the stance is the way a boxer stands during a fight. Stances have a lot to do with the more dominant side of the boxer. Boxers also follow closed and open stances as well.
Additionally, southpaw and orthodox boxing stances are the two most commonly used footwork among boxers. But how do these stances work? The following sections have all of your answers.
Orthodox Vs Southpaw
As a boxer, you must understand the basic difference between these two types of UFC stances.
Southpaw Boxing Stance:
Firstly, southpaw footwork has to do with the right foot in front of the other one. Boxers with left-hand dominance go for southpaw footwork. In this stance, the boxer places their right foot forward while keeping the right hand in front of the left hand.
Orthodox Boxing Stance:
Orthodox footwork is a common and famous footwork stance among boxers. It’s a foot style in which boxers put the left foot at the front of the other one. Orthodox boxing style works best for right-handed boxers as this stance gives freedom to use the right hand and foot for better reach during a fight.
Why Southpaw Stance?
Why should I have to choose a southpaw stance? Well, there are a lot of reasons to be a boxer with a southpaw stance. Have a look.
- Being left-handed is one of the obvious reasons to train for a southpaw stance. It would be more natural for a fighter to stand with their right foot in front.
- Eye dominance is also a considerable factor in boxing stances. Also, the dominant eye of a person has a lot to do with the dominant hand. However, according to a study, there are a good number of people with cross dominance as well.
- Another reason to choose southpaw boxing stance feet is comfortability. You’ll feel more confident and comfortable with your dominant side. Otherwise, you might not be confident and brutal enough in your boxing. Nevertheless, there are examples of right-handed boxers with a southpaw boxing stance.
Benefits of Southpaw Boxing Stance:
- A boxer with a southpaw fighting style can surprise a left-handed or orthodox opponent with a different kind of training.
- Southpaw footwork is a more comfortable position because of its broad and open style.
- Right-handed southpaws generate more power and strength from both hands and also can throw harder punches at the opponent.
- The open position of the southpaw allows the boxer to get more control over the opponent.
- Furthermore, a boxer can throw long-range punches with southpaw footwork.
Southpaw Different Boxing Stances Boxers:
Colby Covington
You’ll be surprised to know that Colby Covington was a right-handed southpaw boxer who had a deadly attack on his opponent. He was a right-handed boxer who had a southpaw boxing foot placement during his career. It is quite unusual to see a righty having southpaw footwork. But he was a very clever and fine boxer. He knew how to put the opponent in deep trouble with his right foot forward.
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva was one of the most undefeatable boxers in his era. His southpaw boxing stance made his opponent surprise everyone. However, he did face some failures during his boxing career. But we can’t deny that his opponent got in trouble due to his southpaw footwork and devious techniques.
Zab Judah
An American boxer, Zab Judah started boxing at the very young age of six. After that, he won US national Champion twice while New York Golden Gloves Champion three times. He started his professional boxing career in Miami when he was 18 years old. Later, he won five International titles while being a southpaw fighter. He had some great southpaw stances and techniques.
Conor McGregor
Another well-known southpaw fighter was Conor McGregor. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most qualified boxers in both Orthodox and southpaw stances. Nevertheless, he had some deadly southpaw different boxing stances. One of his famous fights was with Jose Aldo when all it took was 15 seconds to knock Jose out.
How to Train as a Southpaw Stance Fighter:
Boxing takes a lot of passion and dedication throughout the journey. It also needs the right kind of stance and style to be a successful boxer. Southpaw boxing footwork can be your suitable fighting stance. This section is all about southpaw boxing foot placement.
Angle:
As the angle of the southpaw different boxing stance is concerned, the angle of the boxer should be outside of the opponent’s lead foot. Also, you have to split your opponent’s guard with your left hand while lining up with the opponent’s chin. A lot of southpaw fighters used this angle to face experienced fighters.
Manny Pacquiao was a right-handed southpaw boxer who allowed his opponent to take outside angles because he could handle any kind of fighter.
Guard:
You need to understand the importance of guard in a southpaw boxing stance. The high guard is the most basic one to start with. Also, there are some other guards as well. One is a long guard while another one is a cross-arm guard.
In the long guard, your opponent will be at a certain distance from you and load your non-dominant hand. Whereas the cross-arm guard allows your opponent to be at a close distance with your dominant hand at front.
Punches:
Following are the most basic punches in southpaw boxing stance feet.
- Jab
- Lead Hook
- Cross
Most southpaw boxers used to throw a cross punch from the left hand. On the other hand, jab and lead hook punches will be thrown with the right hand.
Don’t forget to rotate your hips anti-clockwise and step forward with your right foot to throw a strong jab or lead hook. While throwing a cross punch, you have to rotate your hips in a clockwise direction and take a half step forward with the left foot.
Training Method:
Training method plays a huge role in adopting boxing stances and techniques. To achieve a southpaw stance, practicing with a heavy punching bag is one of the most important and popular tools among boxers. Before going to the actual fight, you have to fight or throw punches at something static and can take brutal punches.
How will you do it? During practice with a punching bag, you have to be aware of your range and distance. You have to maintain a certain distance to the bag so that your opponent won’t find it easy to attack you during a fight. Also, avoid standing still in the same place, keep moving your head after a punch and try to not be an easy target for your opponent.
Besides the practice of punches, achieving agility and stable footwork is another essential part for boxers, especially the southpaw. With good and balanced footwork, any southpaw fighter can pin down a boxer with orthodox boxing stances. Daily jogging will help with gaining high-level stamina and endurance. Start jogging for half an hour and then an hour.
Conclusion:
To sum up this article, we want to say that whatever stance you choose, make sure you do it in the right way. Learn each technique of that boxing stance in which you’re most comfortable and natural. Whether you choose Orthodox or southpaw boxing stance, make sure to give a tough time to your opponent. Stable footwork and a suitable stance will make you stand out in the crowd. Don’t forget to explore as much as you can before going for a southpaw or Orthodox stance.
We hope our article on southpaw different boxing stances helped you decide and learn something new about boxing stances.
