Three simple counter-punches for southpaw boxers to use against orthodox right-handed fighters. It’s time you use your southpaw stance to your advantage!
If you’re a southpaw boxing in a right-handed world, you’re definitely at an advantage. The simple reason is because you as a left-hander will be fighting more right handers whereas the average right-hander would never have the same amount of experience with southpaws. For now, I enclosed some very simple counter-punches for any southpaw fighter to use against a right-handed boxer.
Southpaw Reminders
Whenever a southpaw fights a right-hander, it’s common for the fight to become a brawl because of the open mirrored stance. Typically in an orthodox VS orthodox fight, both fighters have the ability to defend against each other’s strong right hand by sticking their weak-handed jabbing arm in the way.
In a southpaw VS orthodox fight, both boxers are standing in a mirrored stance and the head and body is very open to being hit by each other’s strong arm from the back. In the case of a beginner southpaw VS beginner orthodox (fancy footwork and head movement aside), it’s common for the fight to become a race of punches — in other words, the faster jab intercepts the slower jab and the faster stronghand punch from the rear will intercept the slower one. So what I’m saying is…if you’re the southpaw, punch faster and try to get your punches inside his punches.
Last reminder, try to circling to your right (which is your opponent’s left). This will manuever you away from his strong right hand while at the same time bringing your strong left hand closer to him. Many trainers will tell you to always try to keep your front right foot on the outside of his front left foot. If you do this correctly, you will find that you will be able to land well with both hands whereas he can only land with his front hand. Enough pre-fight instructions… on to the southpaw counters!
1) Jab Over His Jab
Usually in the beginning of a fight between a southpaw and orthodox fighter, both fighters will have an awkward time trying to jab each other. The reason for this is because both of you will be jabbing and catching with the same front arm. What you will do here at first is simply catch his jab with your right hand. The typical orthodox fighter will feel weird and awkward jabbing at your jab arm since he’s clearly trying to go for your face. At some point he’s going to maybe lunge forward or throw a fast and forceful jab. The moment he does this, lift your right hand so that his jab comes under and then you can jab him right over the top of his arm. (You can also make the move a little easier by bending down on your knees a little and then raising your body to make him miss totally.) This counter seems simple at first but you will see that it works well if you practice a lot and do it subtlely. You can also make it better by pivoting counter-clockwise off your front foot as you throw the jab.
2) Left Cross When He Jabs
Many orthodox will not be ready for this because they’re use to trading left jabs against other orthodox fighters. This is the same concept except only you will be throwing a left cross which is far more damaging. Anytime you see him throw a jab, immediately throw your left cross straight down the middle. It should land if you’re throwing it fast and straight. The beauty of it is that even if he throws a right hand, your left cross started first and will intercept it easily; your head will be on the inside of your arm and protected from his right crosses.
3) Intercept his right hand with a straight left
Many orthodox fighters will not be able to see your straight left cross. If your orthodox opponent throws a right hand, quickly beat it by throwing a left cross straight down the middle and even between his gloves if he positions them there. This tip is almost like southpaw tip #2 except only you’re doing the same move off a different reaction.
If you think you’re ready for more, try reading my article “intermediate southpaw counters against righties”
mirror stance body hooks
Thanks Rado, I appreciate the article. Since most righties know these tactics and train them when they are fighting a south paw, the south paw still has a more natural advantage in these attacks.
I like the left cross over the jab alot , I found that against “lazy jabbers” if you only try to catch the jab say 1 outta 5 times, You can catch them off guard turn that clean catch into a solid snappy lead front hook that nicely sets up the left down the pipe. Since they tend to not retrieve the jab quick enough in this situation. Of course you have to feel out your opponets jab habits a little before expecting this to work.
How do you feel about front hand body hook in the mirror image? I feel that they can land easy since the distance between both fighter’s front side of their bodies are closer than usual; but it does tend to hit the ribs or back side of the opponent instead of a nice meaty guy shot. They don’t seem hurt as much as orthodox stance, front hand body hooks.
So with that in mind , Do you think its wiser for a southy to focus more on rear hand body hooks and crosss instead of front hand body attacks in the mirror battle???
lefty vs righty
Southpaw right hook to the body VS right-hander
——————————————————————-
If it lands, it’ll definitely hurt… but the thing is it’s kinda hard to get into range for that. For you to land that right hook to the body, you have to be closer. Getting close is hard because your front foot and his front foot is keeping your bodies apart.
So technically, you can only get into range for southpaw right hook if you step your right foot forward and on the outside of his left foot. If you already done this, you can pretty much hit him with whatever the hell you want since you’re standing as the top of the “T” where you have both hands and he’s only got his weaker front hand. To be even more technical, try to imagine a LOWERCASE “y”. You want your feet to be the long part, where his feet is the short part with his front left foot between you. From that position, you’ve got a ton of advantages. (I’ll make an article out of this soon enough.)
Rear hand attacks
===================
Mix it up… crosses and hooks, up and down…. unless he’s real skilled the righty won’t know how to block it. He’ll be forced to move.
Conclusion
========================
Southpaw should throw anything. They have a big advantage. Watch pacquiao vs DLH/cotto, and mayweather VS zab judah (first 5 rounds)
southpaw
What?
What the fuck. This is awesome.
Southpaws are well better than orthoxes.
dude. why’d you writing all this crap
Man this is s*** no one cares
About southpaw and all that crap.:cry:
i’m becoming a boxer
In 2011 I’m gonna leave wwe
To become a heavyweight fighter.
fight night Round 4
On fight night round 4 I’m a southpaw.
And my online win/lose record is: 159-0-0.
Post your win/lose record. See if it’s better than mine.8)
fighter/snakecharmer
:sad:i’ll use these techniques and see if they’ll work for me. thanks.
really helpful
im 17 and am a southpaw and have jst joind boxing a month ago..after i had my first spar i got noticed. and i must admit dat i got beat up but when i land’d a left cross i actually knockd him off his feet and he was dizzy4a while..now im confident when i fight.,eventhough m a beginner.
Todays Topic
I work with some transition fighters – MMA. Only today we worked on foot positioning. Keeping your lead foot on the outside also allows for pivoting for an angle shot away from your opponants power side and in transition fighting a for a clean shot at a single leg shoot or shin kick to the rear of the knee of the opponants lead leg. I have an exclusive boxing experience background and working with these fighters is an endless education…of course its an endless learning curve for all fighters, regardless of the number of disciplines you train and compete in. Great site…Thanks.
Question on #1
Do you do this on 2 beats? (catch, then counter jab) or just 1 beat? (shoot the jab as soon as you see his jab coming) If its the second, I find it kind of hard to do unless you’re a WHOLE lot faster. His jab will land first or yours will just intercept his.
Thanks for the article! Perfect for southpaws like myself:-)
southpaw question
It’s not necessary 2 beats… because to say “2 beats” almost insists that there is a “pause” between the beat. It’s 2 separate actions but they follow each other immediately. You catch and then counter immediately after. You CAN do it fast so that it almost feels like it’s the same time but the thing is you have to make sure that you catch first and that it’s not an automatic reflex to throw the jab out. Don’t counter automatically without waiting for the catch first because he might feint and counter you next time.
It’s 2 motions but they happen right away one after another. You start the counter before your catch is released. Does that help? More southpaw guides to come soon!
southpaw question
thanks now its very clear.
Orthodox fights southpaw
Love your work.
I’m a natural orthodox fighter who loves fighting southpaw. I feel strong and confident when my strongest side is closest to my orth opponent. I know it unsettles them, as I’ll start off southpaw, and hit them with a few HARD jabs and fast left crosses, but move back into my natural orthodox stance once I’ve landed a killer jab. There’s nothing sweeter than landing a stunning right jab, only to step into a right cross as I move forward into an orthodox stance with a big right coming straight over the top of their left. Being right handed and knowing your strongest weapon is out front gives me the confidence that I can throw a powerful jab that’ll hurt them and move them back a step while I step forward into orthodox and return with another solid right. That’s the time to square up the hips, grab their neck with both hands and bring in the knees and elbows to finish. The only way from there is down, where there’s no right hand/left hand advantage.
Message; right handers should train left handed flat out! It’ll stump both the righties and the lefties. Just wait and see the reaction when you shift from orth to southaw with confidence. Go, try it…you’ll love it!
good advice, mark
I’m actually in the progress of writing an article called “the temporary southpaw” to teach right-handers some basic tricks they can do from the southpaw position that will help confuse opponents. Hopefully when I release it, you can take a look and share your thoughts.
Your articile is bible
would you post the link for the “intermediate southpaw counters against righties”
the intermediate southpaw guide coming soon!!!!
I’ll have it done soon!
boxing is the best
me like boxing cuz its best sport in world. boxing is my favorite sport me and my brothers train it and my whole family trains at the gym for boxing. joey.
love it..;-)
when will you write intermediate southpaw counters?
Lazar, have you seen the 20 southpaw punches & combinations guide, yet?
i just found it, thanks. 🙂
Is there a southpaw trainer that can write any other guides? not to be offensive but I am a southpaw and have been training with orthodox trainers the entirety of my 3 years of training, there was a short period of time that I had a lefty coach and even though he was only at my gym for a short period of time he taught me alot and I think it would be helpful for some insight from someone who fights Southpaw naturally.
I will be putting something together in the short future. Unfortunately…as you already know…I am not a southpaw. I only wish other southpaws would step up and create a boxing website for southpaws. It would be greatly appreciated by everybody else as well as myself.
Any news on ‘the temporary southpaw’ guide?. All good if it isn’t being posted but it’d help me out a tonne.
Hey ; if someone is throwing combination of punches and is fast on which punch do i have to throw my counter? On the first punch he throws? Or the second or…
It’s all on you, Joe. I would suggest to try and counter his most dangerous punch. The one that he commits to the most is probably the one you should try to develop an answer for. That way you’re turning his asset into a liability.
Always inspiring to read you, Johnny. I changd my orthodox stance since 3 months ago due to left shoulder injury. Trying to learn the southpaw Science and see all the benefit of being southpaw now. My southpaw jab is way slower than my usual orthodox jab but my left straight reaction time is lighning fast straight and fast but lack of the orthodox straight power. Trying to fix all this progressively. Thinking of keeping my southpaw stance even I fight like a retard now but it’s getting a little better each time and I can finally use some Lomaschenko trick that I practiced for a while and trying to perfect the angle..:-)
Kok Kit, it’s a lot of fun to switch stances. Let me know how you do!
Thank you John for the article! I’m french guy and like Kok Kit Lo I’ve recently swich southpaw due to injury… at beginning it’s hard because brain and body are less use to the stance and motions and it isn’t natural but going slow and working with patience, passion, motivation and feed-back I think a person can improve a lot taking the necessary time and thinking about all elementary things to improve being right-handed or southpaw : rythm, flow, feeling, relax, patience…work a lot the moves, the coordination slowly, step by step, have fun practicing the stance in rythm with some musics, ask questions to your partners and trainers, have feed-back, and let’s get it on!
Best regards