The benefits of a good boxing stance cannot be underestimated. The right stance can provide the balance and stability that are key to attack as well as to defensive techniques. The stance is at the root of all actions in boxing because force is generated from it. While it might seem boring to practice having a proper stance, by considering it a way of testing yourself, you can add a bit of fun to things.
Remember: if you lose your stability and balance while throwing a punch and your stance deteriorates during turns and steps, you’ll have to go back and practice it again, ensuring that you maintain the basics. In the rush of a competition, a proper, solid stance will provide you with confidence as you navigate the best offensive options. When balance is gone, it’s difficult to check an opponent’s mistakes and think about how to attack.
The two most common stances in boxing are the orthodox and southpaw. We’ll take a look at the benefits of each below.
Orthodox Stance
Right-handed boxers, everyone from beginners to the professionals in all weight classes can use the orthodox stance, the most common in boxing as the majority of people are right-handed, getting into it naturally. It dates back even to the ancient times of prizefighting.
Easier access to quality training. Boxers who use the orthodox stance have it easier when it comes to training, including coaches simply due to the fact that there are more right-handed people. That means it’s easier to find a coach that knows how to train an orthodox fighter.
Advantage in the ring. Also because being right-handed is more common, you may have an advantage in the ring as you’ll be more likely to box other orthodox boxers which means you’ll have a better idea as to what their moves will be. That increases the odds of being able to guess your opponent’s next turn or twist, boxing more intuitively.
Painful hits. Due to positioning, it’s easier to get a painful liver punch in as you’ll be closer to your opponent’s right side, bringing a big advantage as it’s a very effective spot to hit hard.
Southpaw Stance
This stance is the opposite of the orthodox stance, popular with left-handed boxers as it keeps your right foot in front of your left, although boxers with either dominant hand have the ability to train in both the southpaw and orthodox stance.
Element of surprise. As there are fewer left-handed people, making up only around 10 percent of the population, southpaw boxers have an advantage in that they can often take their opponents by surprise. Their movements are completely different so the majority of orthodox boxers won’t have insight into what their training is like, giving the southpaw the upper hand.
Control and comfort. The southpaw style is considered to be more open which makes for a more comfortable position. A boxer using a closed orthodox stance has a weaker defense, giving more control to the southpaw. Their lead foot can more easily be used to distract their opponent, which can make their opponent feel off-balance.
Better long-range punches. Because a southpaw is able to build power in both their left and right hands, their jabs are better, while their dominant hand is saved for harder punches. They typically outperform at long-range punches.