question on right hook as southpaw

[shs101]

As a southpaw I and a more taller person naturally whenever I throw my lead hook I always hit them at the end of the punch (long lead hook) and it always is more of a set up punch or distraction it never really has to much power because of the range. (trying to put more power on it)



I heard a coach working with a southpaw saying you have to crowd his lead side when coming in, it'll put more power on the hook as it will be shorter and negate his counter since you're so close to hmi (good positioning foot deep to outside)



I never tried this tactic and want to see more peoples input on this. A good example would be the ward vs dawson fight andre kept crowding his lead side and dawson didn't get a chance to execute much off that lead hand for that reason

[mconstantine]

Don't understand your question...reread your post.

[shs101]

Don't understand your question...reread your post.

In other words what is the best way to land a powerful hook as a southpaw?
And do I want my lead foot up close and outside of theirs when throwing it similiar to throwing a cross? Im trying to shorten my hook up as when I throw I usually throw a long range/slapping motion type of hook instead of short choppy one. Im long also so this is a problem im trying to fix

[mconstantine]

In other words what is the best way to land a powerful hook as a southpaw?
And do I want my lead foot up close and outside of theirs when throwing it similiar to throwing a cross? Im trying to shorten my hook up as when I throw I usually throw a long range/slapping motion type of hook instead of short choppy one. Im long also so this is a problem im trying to fix

Since you are taller, you probably don't want shorten your right hook up TOO much because it allows your shorter opponent to close the distance easier. If you are slapping with it, then you either are throwing from too far away or just have bad technique.

The key to landing it is first timing, then positioning. As a taller fighter, you'd probably want to utilize it the most when your opponent is moving in on you. Then it's just a matter of timing their attack and throwing the hook where their head will be. Positioning is not as important. You can land it well with your lead foot on the outside or just inside their lead foot. In fact, the more your lead foot is on the INSIDE of a righty's lead foot, the shorter your right hook has to travel. You just have to be mindful of their right hand and get there first.

Here are a couple good illustrations

This is me in a recent exhibition match. Go to 6:52. I knew my opponent was about to come after me because I had just landed some clean shots. I baited him into a check right hook. First half step back I measured him a bit, then the 2nd half step back I timed him for a right hook because I knew where his head would be and he walks right into it. If you look at my lead foot, it's actually just inside his which made my hook shorter. I didn't fully commit to this hook but if you do, as clean as they often land, they can do damage.



Here is an example with a southpaw vs. another southpaw. Go to 1:33. Notice how he takes a very subtle step to his left, then shoots his right hook. Because that side step positioned his opponent right to center, his right hook was super short. It didn't have to travel far at all before it landed. No way he was getting out of the way of that punch before it landed.




You can also set it up with lead left feints. Lead left hands work well against righty's as a southpaw. If you establish the lead left a couple times, then feint it and immediately come with a right hook, it's also effective. Look at :20 to :24 in this video for example. Lara feints the lead left, or throws a lazy lead left just to torque his body to throw the right hook.



There are 3 good examples of how to land the right hook as a southpaw. Like landing most punches in boxing, it starts with timing, footwork and positioning.