How to beat a southpaw

Chickenwing47

Im having my first amateur fight on Sunday and I'm fighting a southpaw, I'm pretty nervous because I'm filling in for somebody and I'm not used to fighting a southpaw(I find it very awkward) just looking for a few tips on how I can beat my opponent, Also is there any little tips that can win me a fight also. Thanks

Chickenwing47

pac_man wrote: »

The awkwardness is primarily down to the position of your lead foot.Try and practice getting your lead foot on the outside of your opponent(you can do practice this drill at home). This gives you the opportunity to counter over your opponents jab but also sets you up for the straight right hand which I feel is the best punch against the southpaw.

In terms of movement, you don't want to be walking onto their strong hand(usually left), so you need to be moving to your left. However if you keep circling to your left, you'll become predictable so every know and again mix it up. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks a lot, I've actually sparred this person before and I think he got the better of me(first time fighting a southpaw) the second round was fair and 3rd round I was told I got the better of him because I could used to moving to the left and hitting him with the right. I'm just really afraid of losing my first fight because I'm afraid it will put me off to a bad start and people will think I'm not a good boxer which in my opinion, I think i am.

gene_tunney

The old cliché is that you keep your lead foot outside the southpaw's lead foot. The idea is that it positions you better for the lead right. I didn't find it very helpful.

When you're using your jab it helps to have a hook element to it, to hook it around your opponent's guard. Southpaws are great at this, Mike Perez is a good example. The right hand really is absolute dynamite against southpaws. Landing it depends on the same fundamentals for any right hand, but is much easier against southpaws because their head should be lined up perfectly for your right. Throw it as straight as possible, your torso should rotate a bit but not as much as for a hook and the punch starts in your leg.

Don't get into a jabbing match against a southpaw unless you have a decent reach advantage or an excellent jab. The left hook is high risk against southpaws so be careful with that. Right hook can be good.

As with any fight you need to play to your strengths and take full advantage of your opponents weak points.

Chickenwing47

gene_tunney wrote: »

The old cliché is that you keep your lead foot outside the southpaw's lead foot. The idea is that it positions you better for the lead right. I didn't find it very helpful.

When you're using your jab it helps to have a hook element to it, to hook it around your opponent's guard. Southpaws are great at this, Mike Perez is a good example. The right hand really is absolute dynamite against southpaws. Landing it depends on the same fundamentals for any right hand, but is much easier against southpaws because their head should be lined up perfectly for your right. Throw it as straight as possible, your torso should rotate a bit but not as much as for a hook and the punch starts in your leg.

Don't get into a jabbing match against a southpaw unless you have a decent reach advantage or an excellent jab. The left hook is high risk against southpaws so be careful with that. Right hook can be good.

As with any fight you need to play to your strengths and take full advantage of your opponents weak points.

Thanks a lot, I was training today on the bads against a southpaw, I'm feeling a lot more confident. The only thing is and I've sparred this person before and I know that he likes to go on the attack and stay close, also he's smaller than me and had a shorter reach but he still caught me a lot in the first round of sparring, the 2nd was fair enough probably his round but the 3rd was definitely my round as I could use to sparring him but that won't be good enough on Sunday if i only win 1 round. Any tips on this, i also find moving to the left much more awkward than moving to the right.

walshb

If you are orthodox then moving to your left should feel more comfortable. Make sure your feet spacing is right, or feels right. Seems that you may need to widen the spacing a little bit.

Diddley Squat

Chickenwing47

Diddley Squat wrote: »

Oh that was nice

boxer.fan

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Oh that was nice

I had particular difficulty with southpaws. Absolutely disliked sparring / fighting them. What worked for me was to hold the jab hand a little higher than normal & jab from there over the top of the opponent's jab. A southpaw's body sweet spot can be found pretty easy too but you need to be pretty experienced to land them. I also committed to throwing a high volume of combinations which seemed to help. Best advice is to get heaps of rounds in & find What works for you.

efb

If he's shorter and likes to come forward, pop out the jab regularly to keep him at bay, and if you see the opening follow with the straight right.

If he lets his guard down follow up the shots, don't retreat unnecessarily

Chickenwing47

boxer.fan wrote: »

I had particular difficulty with southpaws. Absolutely disliked sparring / fighting them. What worked for me was to hold the jab hand a little higher than normal & jab from there over the top of the opponent's jab. A southpaw's body sweet spot can be found pretty easy too but you need to be pretty experienced to land them. I also committed to throwing a high volume of combinations which seemed to help. Best advice is to get heaps of rounds in & find What works for you.

Yea I hate fighting southpaws too, thanks I'll have to try that but the only problem in my club is the only southpaw is about 6'1 and I'm only 5'8 and he weighs a lot more than me, but I guess it's still practice against a southpaw.

Chickenwing47

efb wrote: »

If he's shorter and likes to come forward, pop out the jab regularly to keep him at bay, and if you see the opening follow with the straight right.

If he lets his guard down follow up the shots, don't retreat unnecessarily

Thanks I'll keep this in mind. I've been all practicing faking the jab to the body and a looping hook with my right hand, I was perfecting this in the gym last night and hopefully it works.

themandan6611

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Im having my first amateur fight on Sunday and I'm fighting a southpaw, I'm pretty nervous because I'm filling in for somebody and I'm not used to fighting a southpaw(I find it very awkward) just looking for a few tips on how I can beat my opponent, Also is there any little tips that can win me a fight also. Thanks

have you not got a coach ?, if you do maybe he/she could help

efb

themandan6611 wrote: »

have you not got a coach ?, if you do maybe he/she could help

I'm sure he has, just looking for other advice, hardly a crime???

Chickenwing47

themandan6611 wrote: »

have you not got a coach ?, if you do maybe he/she could help

I do obviously I was just looking for people's personal advice and what worked better for them. No need to be so cheeky, obviously I've a coach

efb

Oh best of luck OP

And as it is your first fight, try to keep calm and not just go out swinging.

Chickenwing47

efb wrote: »

Oh best of luck OP

And as it is your first fight, try to keep calm and not just go out swinging.

Thanks I'll do my best and hopefully I'll get the win, feeling a lot more confident after doing combinations on the pads based on fighting a southpaw

FTA69

Bloody southpaws should be drowned at birth. Absolutely detest fighting or sparring them. The Romans had the right idea, they banned left handedism; hence the Latin term "sinister" meaning "of the left".

Lots of people already provided good advice. The lead foot stuff is important however you can't just continually circle left like a clock hand. Use "in and out" motions as well as lateral ones and follow up your jab with a quick cross, don't lazily jab with a left handed.

Don't neglect the body, left handers are vulnerable to the straight right to the body as well as the left hook to the body coming off the cross. Try and lull them with a slightly slower rhythm before speeding up to burst that right hand through the guard.

Let us know how you get on and best of luck.

Chickenwing47

FTA69 wrote: »

Bloody southpaws should be drowned at birth. Absolutely detest fighting or sparring them. The Romans had the right idea, they banned left handedism; hence the Latin term "sinister" meaning "of the left".

Lots of people already provided good advice. The lead foot stuff is important however you can't just continually circle left like a clock hand. Use "in and out" motions as well as lateral ones and follow up your jab with a quick cross, don't lazily jab with a left handed.

Don't neglect the body, left handers are vulnerable to the straight right to the body as well as the left hook to the body coming off the cross. Try and lull them with a slightly slower rhythm before speeding up to burst that right hand through the guard.

Let us know how you get on and best of luck.

Thanks very much, I'm feeling very confident after doing the pads with my coach and practicing combinations to use against a southpaw and I already know the fighters style so if I perform to my best I'll get the win. I'll let you know how I get on.

themandan6611

efb wrote: »

I'm sure he has, just looking for other advice, hardly a crime???

ah would you brush the sand out of your vagina, just don't get why someone would come onto an internet board to ask faceless people something his coach should be looking after.

Donald Trump

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Im having my first amateur fight on Sunday and I'm fighting a southpaw, I'm pretty nervous because I'm filling in for somebody and I'm not used to fighting a southpaw(I find it very awkward) just looking for a few tips on how I can beat my opponent, Also is there any little tips that can win me a fight also. Thanks

Straight right , left hook. Over and over again. Especially for a novice competition. Keep on the outside of his lead hand.

Remember to breathe. That's actually more important

Donald Trump

And go to bed and don't be staying up reading the internet! :-)

Donald Trump

But especially when he gets tired. Which he will do if he is also a novice. He will be open to you catching him with straight rights. And judges can score those very easily

efb

#GoTeamChickenWing

efb

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Thanks I'll keep this in mind. I've been all practicing faking the jab to the body and a looping hook with my right hand, I was perfecting this in the gym last night and hopefully it works.

No need to faint the jab, popping out a good left jab keeps your opponent at bay, and if they connect, its a score.

Is this a competitive fight, i.e., will it be officially scored?

efb

themandan6611 wrote: »

ah would you brush the sand out of your vagina, just don't get why someone would come onto an internet board to ask faceless people something his coach should be looking after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv_h0ejcLY8

:pac:

Chickenwing47

efb wrote: »

No need to faint the jab, popping out a good left jab keeps your opponent at bay, and if they connect, its a score.

Is this a competitive fight, i.e., will it be officially scored?

Yea it is a competitive fight and will be officially scored

efb

Chickenwing47 wrote: »

Yea it is a competitive fight and will be officially scored

Cool well best of luck, jabs and straight punches catch the judges eye and finish rounds strongly

Let us know how u do

efb

The one thing us citeogs have is an advantage in fighting sports, I feel like a bit of a traitor to my sinister brothers but the OP is sound so I won't be gauche!

And OP, make sure it's all left in the ring

efb

AND KEEP YOUR BLOODY GUARD UP!!!

TheGlitchKing

circle toward his lead hand. Don't think about which direction you move just focus on the position of his body. Let him lead you like a dance and don't rely so much on what you know. Treat the fight as partnership where you let your opponent lead you. The fact is southpaws are rare which makes preparing for them difficult. Accept that you can't be fully prepared in advance and study your opponent as you go.

Don't accept that you will lose just accept that you may lose and use this opportunity to prepare for your next opponent. If you do that, even if you lose you will come out a victor because you'll be ready for the next one Sometimes the fight you're fighting is just the preparation for the next one,

Chickenwing47

TheGlitchKing wrote: »

circle toward his lead hand. Don't think about which direction you move just focus on the position of his body. Let him lead you like a dance and don't rely so much on what you know. Treat the fight as partnership where you let your opponent lead you. The fact is southpaws are rare which makes preparing for them difficult. Accept that you can't be fully prepared in advance and study your opponent as you go.

Don't accept that you will lose just accept that you may lose and use this opportunity to prepare for your next opponent. If you do that, even if you lose you will come out a victor because you'll be ready for the next one Sometimes the fight you're fighting is just the preparation for the next one,

Thanks a lot

Chickenwing47

efb wrote: »

Cool well best of luck, jabs and straight punches catch the judges eye and finish rounds strongly

Let us know how u do

Thanks I'll keep that in mind

Chickenwing47

efb wrote: »

The one thing us citeogs have is an advantage in fighting sports, I feel like a bit of a traitor to my sinister brothers but the OP is sound so I won't be gauche!

And OP, make sure it's all left in the ring

Haha will do, getting nervous now ðŸ˜

FTA69

TheGlitchKing wrote: »

circle toward his lead hand. Don't think about which direction you move just focus on the position of his body. Let him lead you like a dance and don't rely so much on what you know. Treat the fight as partnership where you let your opponent lead you. The fact is southpaws are rare which makes preparing for them difficult. ,

Lol.

walshb

Southpaws are not rare at all. In amateur boxing it's almost 50-50 now from what I see.

TheGlitchKing

walshb wrote: »

Southpaws are not rare at all. In amateur boxing it's almost 50-50 now from what I see.

left handed people are quite rare in society in general. So just working off the percentile of the population they represent left handed boxers would be a valued asset to most gyms.
l

efb

Left handed people are 1:9 so a 50/50 split in the gym would indicate a clear advantage

walshb

TheGlitchKing wrote: »

left handed people are quite rare in society in general. So just working off the percentile of the population they represent left handed boxers would be a valued asset to most gyms.
l

I wasn't talking about left handed people. I was talking about southpaws. Far from rare IMO.

efb

walshb wrote: »

I wasn't talking about left handed peoplw. I was talking about southpaws. Far from rare IMO.

Real Southpaws

efb

I don't have much time for right handed people that fight exclusively southpaw, why lead with your strong hand?

TheGlitchKing

walshb wrote: »

I wasn't talking about left handed peoplw. I was talking about southpaws. Far from rare IMO.

I was speaking in terms of natural southpaws. There's a difference between using southpaw as a style and using southpaw because you're left handed. Left handed people are natural southpaws.

Boxers who use both typically switch back and forth between styles that suit them. Often when an orthodox using southpaw gets rattled he will immediately revert back to his orthodox style. These boxers are not southpaws, they are orthodoxies who use southpaw, but they are not southpaws.

It is possible for an orthodoxy to make the full switch to southpaw, but these guys are probably rarer than natural souths themselves, and you would have to wonder if the advantage gained is worth the time spent adapting to a different style when they could be spending that time mastering their own.

In a nut shell, training against a fake southpaw to prepare for a real southpaw is like sparring against Butterbean to prepare you for Wlad.

walshb

Southpaws exist due to how comfortable they feel standing right or left footed. I am a right handed southpaw. No matter what I just didn't have the same feel and balance and comfort leading withleft foot. Now, I do play snooker left handed, but I write right handed and kick football right handed, as well as other right handed things. There are still more orthodox fighters out there, sure. But it's not a massive difference. Btw, any orthodox out there who are very much leftie dominant?

efb

walshb wrote: »

Southpaws exist due to how comfortable they feel standing right or left footed. I am a right handed southpaw. No matter what I just didn't have the same feel and balance and comfort leading withleft foot. Now, I do play snooker left handed, but I write right handed and kick football right handed, as well as other right handed things. There are still more orthodox fighters out there, sure. But it's not a massive difference. Btw, any orthodox out there who are very much leftie dominant?

You're not a real Southpaw

walshb

TheGlitchKing wrote: »

I was speaking in terms of natural southpaws. There's a difference between using southpaw as a style and using southpaw because you're left handed. Left handed people are natural southpaws.

Boxers who use both typically switch back and forth between styles that suit them. Often when an orthodox using southpaw gets rattled he will immediately revert back to his orthodox style. These boxers are not southpaws, they are orthodoxies who use southpaw, but they are not southpaws.

It is possible for an orthodoxy to make the full switch to southpaw, but these guys are probably rarer than natural souths themselves, and you would have to wonder if the advantage gained is worth the time spent adapting to a different style when they could be spending that time mastering their own.

In a nut shell, training against a fake southpaw to prepare for a real southpaw is like sparring against Butterbean to prepare you for Wlad.

efb wrote: »

You're not a real Southpaw

Define a real southpaw? In boxing terms a southpaw is one who leads with his right foot, and who uses his right hand as his jab-lead hand, and uses the left hand to throw most of the more forceful shots. Nowhere does it ever define a southpaw in boxing terms as one who has to be a leftie, or left-handed.

Btw, I qouted efb. Not sure how the other poster is appearing as being quoted.

efb

walshb wrote: »

Define a real southpaw? In boxing terms a southpaw is one who leads with his right foot, and who uses his right hand as his jab-lead hand, and uses the left hand to throw most of the more forceful shots. Nowhere does it ever define a southpaw in boxing terms as one who has to be a leftie, or left-handed.

Btw, I qouted efb. Not sure how the other poster is appearing as being quoted.

You lead with your dominant hand, like most 10 year old kids, you are fighting southpaw style, but as your dominant hand is your right you are not a real southpaw

TheGlitchKing

walshb wrote: »

Southpaws exist due to how comfortable they feel standing right or left footed. I am a right handed southpaw. No matter what I just didn't have the same feel and balance and comfort leading withleft foot. Now, I do play snooker left handed, but I write right handed and kick football right handed, as well as other right handed things. There are still more orthodox fighters out there, sure. But it's not a massive difference. Btw, any orthodox out there who are very much leftie dominant?

There's a world of difference between a natural southpaw and a learned one.

Simply put, some people are right handed and some are left handed. Some people can learn to write with both hands but you will always be either right or left handed and 9/10 you will always be better at writing (and doing everything) with your natural hand.

walshb

efb wrote: »

You lead with your dominant hand, like most 10 year old kids, you are fighting southpaw style, but as your dominant hand is your right you are not a real southpaw

Not a real southpaw is nonsense. You clearly do not understand what a southpaw is in boxing terms. I am a southpaw, end of story. Using words like 'real' is where you are off....

There are simply two types of southpaws. One's who are very much left hand doninant, or leftie dominant, and southpaws that are more right side-handed dominant. I am the latter. Does not at all make me not a 'real' southpaw.

walshb

TheGlitchKing wrote: »

There's a world of difference between a natural southpaw and a learned one.

Simply put, some people are right handed and some are left handed. Some people can learn to write with both hands but you will always be either right or left handed and 9/10 you will always be better at writing (and doing everything) with your natural hand.

I am not a learned southpaw.... It was always far more natural for me to lead with right foot and with right hand. Pure instinct and natural.

Someone help me out here?

walshb

Btw, it never sat with me that a coach asks one question: What hand do you write with? Depending on the answer the coach decided which foot the child would lead with. My approach would alway be 'which stance are you more balanced and comfortable with?'

A southpaw is as much, and possibly more to do with the lead foot comfortableness as it is about what hand you write with, or what foot you kick with. There are lefties and righties and everything in between. Ambidextrous peole also exist in this world.

efb

walshb wrote: »

Not a real southpaw is nonsense. You clearly do not understand what a southpaw is in boxing terms. I am a southpaw, end of story. Using words like 'real' is where you are off....

There are simply two types of southpaws. One's who are very much left hand doninant, or leftie dominant, and southpaws that are more right side-handed dominant. I am the latter. Does not at all make me not a 'real' southpaw.

If I don't agree with you I must be wrong- balls! You lead with your dominant hand you are not a real southpaw

efb

walshb wrote: »

I am not a learned southpaw.... It was always far more natural for me to lead with right foot and with right hand. Pure instinct and natural.

Someone help me out here?

It is natural to lead with your dominant hand, but boxers use their dominant hand for the big shots, not the jabs