Tweet
For many years the left hook was "the" punch to use against a southpaw, like the right hand is now, and it is a pretty recent change. Here is one way to use the left hook.
Move to your right or, more accurately, get your left foot inside his right foot. This will give you an inside angle for your left hand. More important, it moves you in line for his left hand, which is where he wants you, right? Think about it. You can make him plant his weight and turn on his power punch whenever you want him to do so, just by "letting" him get his foot outside of your left foot. Since you know what punch he is going to throw, because you made him do it, why should you get hit with that punch?
Something else. When you get your left foot inside his right foot, look how close your left hand is to his chin, how far his is from yours. So when he starts his straight left, you throw a tight left hook. If you throw a proper left hook, where the weight ends up on your right leg, the rotation of your body takes your head out of the way of his punch; keep your right glove in place to guide his left over your left shoulder. As his body turns over the weight on his right leg it turns his chin into your hook.
You can also get under his left and work your right uppercut to his body, short pivot to the right and hook. Getting the inside position with your left foot allows you to step in with a jab then pivot right, around his left hand, and hook.
If you only move left and only look for the straight right, you are limiting yourself and making your game predictable. Taking the inside punching position really opens up your punching option and you know what punch he is going to throw.
Move to your right or, more accurately, get your left foot inside his right foot. This will give you an inside angle for your left hand. More important, it moves you in line for his left hand, which is where he wants you, right? Think about it. You can make him plant his weight and turn on his power punch whenever you want him to do so, just by "letting" him get his foot outside of your left foot. Since you know what punch he is going to throw, because you made him do it, why should you get hit with that punch?
Something else. When you get your left foot inside his right foot, look how close your left hand is to his chin, how far his is from yours. So when he starts his straight left, you throw a tight left hook. If you throw a proper left hook, where the weight ends up on your right leg, the rotation of your body takes your head out of the way of his punch; keep your right glove in place to guide his left over your left shoulder. As his body turns over the weight on his right leg it turns his chin into your hook.
You can also get under his left and work your right uppercut to his body, short pivot to the right and hook. Getting the inside position with your left foot allows you to step in with a jab then pivot right, around his left hand, and hook.
If you only move left and only look for the straight right, you are limiting yourself and making your game predictable. Taking the inside punching position really opens up your punching option and you know what punch he is going to throw.
Comment