BoxRec

Im about to join a gym for the first time. Nothing serious just for fitness and enjoyment of the sport. Anyway im a lefty and whenever I watch southpaws and orthodox fighters boxing it always looks really awkward to land the jab! I mean from the angle from which you're trying to land it! Is there a particular art or technique to getting good at jabbing from that angle? Thanks.

Ive never boxed either but i was at a gym for a wee while(broke my hand in 1st round of 1st sparring session ) but im a lefty and assumed i would be a southpaw but my dad,who boxed and trained switched me to orthadox as i kept naturally putting my left leg in front when i was meant to be southpaw and that actually felt more comfortable,i suppose its like right handed dart players who throw with their left or vice versa

good luck mate,i hope you stick at at

handsofstone wrote:Ive never boxed either but i was at a gym for a wee while(broke my hand in 1st round of 1st sparring session ) but im a lefty and assumed i would be a southpaw but my dad,who boxed and trained switched me to orthadox as i kept naturally putting my left leg in front when i was meant to be southpaw and that actually felt more comfortable,i suppose its like right handed dart players who throw with their left or vice versa

good luck mate,i hope you stick at at

Yeah im gonna try. I try not to run out of the gym when i get belted haha.

I'm a lefty too and like the famous movie quote 'I coulda been a contender' I had a similar quote from the great South yorks manager John Rushton 'You've got a good left hand' Its very similar to the Brando quote and im very proud of it.

mimmy123 wrote:I'm a lefty too and like the famous movie quote 'I coulda been a contender' I had a similar quote from the great South yorks manager John Rushton 'You've got a good left hand' Its very similar to the Brando quote and im very proud of it.

How did/do you find jabbing from that angle? Is it hard or is it something you get better at with practice?

columbo wrote:

mimmy123 wrote:I'm a lefty too and like the famous movie quote 'I coulda been a contender' I had a similar quote from the great South yorks manager John Rushton 'You've got a good left hand' Its very similar to the Brando quote and im very proud of it.

How did/do you find jabbing from that angle? Is it hard or is it something you get better at with practice?

To be honest when I went for a trial with Mr Rushton it was back in 1986. Also as I did not spar I didnt actually hit another person.

mimmy123 wrote:

columbo wrote:

mimmy123 wrote:I'm a lefty too and like the famous movie quote 'I coulda been a contender' I had a similar quote from the great South yorks manager John Rushton 'You've got a good left hand' Its very similar to the Brando quote and im very proud of it.

How did/do you find jabbing from that angle? Is it hard or is it something you get better at with practice?

To be honest when I went for a trial with Mr Rushton it was back in 1986. Also as I did not spar I didnt actually hit another person.

Ah ok. Thanks anyway

I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

handsofstone wrote:Ive never boxed either but i was at a gym for a wee while(broke my hand in 1st round of 1st sparring session )

bit of an ironic nickname you got there then mate

columbo wrote:

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

Maybe try to watch a boxing match in a mirror - the orthodox boxer will appear lefty. A good book with plenty of food for thought is The Tao Of Jeet Kun Do - Bruce Lee; there's loads in there about jab, angles etc etc. But don't think too much; you'll lose heart if your not as perfect as Pernell Whittaker or Donald Curry.

palooka wrote:

columbo wrote:

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

Maybe try to watch a boxing match in a mirror - the orthodox boxer will appear lefty. A good book with plenty of food for thought is The Tao Of Jeet Kun Do - Bruce Lee; there's loads in there about jab, angles etc etc.

Il have a look at that. Thanks for that mate

Saying lefty is a bit yank esq & jabs will land on you using such terms!!

Allway's told you had to fight a southpaw it's very ying & yang & in most cases southpaws tend to settle first when I boxed I enjoyed fighting southpaws I'd get my left foot on there outside foot & push them back with straight rights & jab over there shoulder I'd allway's go abit more square against a southpaw which can be dangerous if you ain't busy. Giving them time to get there measure is a big no no. Most give up to frustration & find them to awkward & most southpaws hate southpaws aswell most top elite ams are southpaws.

Billy nelson, slated Lennox Lewis for his pad work being in the orthodoxs stance for prices preparation for Thompson & it was elidgeable criticism but my first teacher allway's held his right hand up to jab on & held it far back so you had to extend a full jab to land rather then chop across diaganol to the left which aint practical in terms of real landing.

I believe certain coaches suit certain types of fighters some coaches are very talented & can work with most & understand & enhance there strengths & play away from there weaknesses

columbo wrote:

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

Your probably over thinking it a little , but anyway when someone who is orthadox is boxing a southpaw they are both wanting to jab in the same space so to speak , thats what i think your getting at , to compensate an orthadox , when trying to box a southpaw will keep outside of the soutpaws right boot , mainly to avoid walking onto or being open to a big left , but as you keep getting into position to land your jab the onus is on the orthadox to keep moving outside of your right , to avoid being caught with the big one , so id say you shouldnt really worry too much about it as its a problem for the orthadox more than it is for a southpaw , but no amount of asking questions on forums , and being answered by people like myself will replicate the experience you gain by just practising , wether it be shadow boxing , pad work , bag work and ultimately sparring and bouts , just remember most orthadox dont like to box against southpaws , so use it to your strength and make the opponent have to adjust rather than doing so yourself , and defensively be aware of being caught with a left hook by being lazy in the jab , make sure you spring the right hand straight back to your chin rather than just leaving it flailing and being open to the left hook .

Edit , completely forget that , i was writing it as if you was a southpaw lol . do the opposite

damianhucker1 wrote:

columbo wrote:

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

Your probably over thinking it a little , but anyway when someone who is orthadox is boxing a southpaw they are both wanting to jab in the same space so to speak , thats what i think your getting at , to compensate an orthadox , when trying to box a southpaw will keep outside of the soutpaws right boot , mainly to avoid walking onto or being open to a big left , but as you keep getting into position to land your jab the onus is on the orthadox to keep moving outside of your right , to avoid being caught with the big one , so id say you shouldnt really worry too much about it as its a problem for the orthadox more than it is for a southpaw , but no amount of asking questions on forums , and being answered by people like myself will replicate the experience you gain by just practising , wether it be shadow boxing , pad work , bag work and ultimately sparring and bouts , just remember most orthadox dont like to box against southpaws , so use it to your strength and make the opponent have to adjust rather than doing so yourself , and defensively be aware of being caught with a left hook by being lazy in the jab , make sure you spring the right hand straight back to your chin rather than just leaving it flailing and being open to the left hook .

Edit , completely forget that , i was writing it as if you was a southpaw lol . do the opposite

I am a southpaw lol. Dont worry the other posters thought I meant how to box a southpaw I think. That's good advice! Thanks ..... ps you're probably right I am over thinking it most probably! Haha.

Didn't see a great deal of him but I always liked this guy...Ronald Winky Wright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwpvh6qehpA

damianhucker1 wrote:

columbo wrote:

damianhucker1 wrote:I dont understand what you are asking when you say landing a jab from that angle , what angle ? you just throw the jab , pretty much straight not at an angle (unless of course you need to actually do so to land it ) so im a bit puzzled by the question in all honesty .


When i boxed , although im right handed i automatically tried to box southpaw as that was how i felt more comfortable and natural , the trainer basically forced it out of me in the end as if i was doing something wrong by being a right handed southpaw , although in fairness i think it would feel pretty odd now to be boxing southpaw

Well what I mean is landing the angle from which your trying to land the jab is different to when two orthodox boxers or even two southpaws are boxing each other. Can you see what I mean now?

Your probably over thinking it a little , but anyway when someone who is orthadox is boxing a southpaw they are both wanting to jab in the same space so to speak , thats what i think your getting at , to compensate an orthadox , when trying to box a southpaw will keep outside of the soutpaws right boot , mainly to avoid walking onto or being open to a big left , but as you keep getting into position to land your jab the onus is on the orthadox to keep moving outside of your right , to avoid being caught with the big one , so id say you shouldnt really worry too much about it as its a problem for the orthadox more than it is for a southpaw , but no amount of asking questions on forums , and being answered by people like myself will replicate the experience you gain by just practising , wether it be shadow boxing , pad work , bag work and ultimately sparring and bouts , just remember most orthadox dont like to box against southpaws , so use it to your strength and make the opponent have to adjust rather than doing so yourself , and defensively be aware of being caught with a left hook by being lazy in the jab , make sure you spring the right hand straight back to your chin rather than just leaving it flailing and being open to the left hook .

Edit , completely forget that , i was writing it as if you was a southpaw lol . do the opposite

haha

It's interesting because Rigondeaux who you could possibly say is the most talented southpaw out there currently hardly seems to throw a jab at all!

columbo wrote:It's interesting because Rigondeaux who you could possibly say is the most talented southpaw out there currently hardly seems to throw a jab at all!

Best learn the basics though first eh? Don't start copying a double Olympic Champ and World Champion professional just yet.

palooka wrote:

columbo wrote:It's interesting because Rigondeaux who you could possibly say is the most talented southpaw out there currently hardly seems to throw a jab at all!

Best learn the basics though first eh? Don't start copying a double Olympic Champ and World Champion professional just yet.

Haha I didnt mean it in the sense I was going to try and replicate him.

Try and place yr jab over his jab by stepping slighty to the side and punch over his lead.The placement of the feet is more important than the actual punch with a southpaw.put yr feet in the right place and throw the same punch as you would against an orthadox

If a southpaw boxes an orthadox fighter both boxers need to keep there leading foot outside there opponents leading foot.Generally moving away from your opponents back hand

mike john wrote:

handsofstone wrote:Ive never boxed either but i was at a gym for a wee while(broke my hand in 1st round of 1st sparring session )

bit of an ironic nickname you got there then mate

Exactly mate,my pals tell me i should get a job in the brittle bone society,if they offered me id snap their fookin hand off

There is a chance you might be an orthodox stance anyway. Being left handed doesn't always automatically mean you will be a southpaw. Ian Jon-Lewis from our way was a right handed southpaw ( or vice versa! )

What gym you going to?

Just throw the jab, plenty of them and don't over analyse it. Best punch in the book...

Everything that is written about moving away from a southpaw opponents big left hand ( or in your case the orthodox right) doesn't take account of the percentage of opponents using the same tactic. I.e. a Southpaw will, by the law of averages, have faced a lot more people moving away from his big left hand so moving onto it, with caution, can really mess them up...