ORTHODOX (BOXING)

'Orthodox' is a boxing term that designates the normal stance for a right-handed boxer.

Contents

Description

Alternatives

Strategy

Description

A boxer in the orthodox stance would have his left hand and left foot forward. Typically he or she would lead with a left jab, and follow with a right hook or right cross.

Alternatives

The corresponding designation for a left-handed boxer is southpaw, and is generally a mirror-image of the orthodox stance.

Strategy

Right-handed boxers are usually expected to fight from an orthodox stance, although a skilled right-hander can switch to the lefthanded (southpaw) stance to take advantage of the fact that most fighters lack experience against lefties. This switch may give the fighter a strategic advantage because of the tactical and cognitive difficulties of coping with a fighter who moves in a mirror-reverse of the norm. The fundamental risk of this strategy is that most fighters are less skilled attackers when fighting outside of their "natural" stance.