Issue 057

December 2009

Changing between right-handed and left-handed stances can open up new avenues of attack and confuse your opposition. The inherent danger of switch hitting is that you can likewise end up confused. In order to become competent as a switch hitter, it is advisable to spend plenty of time retraining yourself to fight purely from the other stance, then begin to move between the two. Few fighters are truly ambidextrous and able to switch fluidly between the two, but with practice you too can attack from both stances.  

1. Orthodox Stance

The orthodox stance sees the fighter stand with their left leg leading.  

2. Southpaw Stance

The leftie, or southpaw, stands with their right leg forward.  

Changing the Angle and When to Switch Stance  

Step 1: Pete is in orthodox stance. 

Step 2: Pete circles out to the left. 

Step 3: Incorrect! Pete mistakenly chooses this moment to switch stances. 

Step 4: As Alex steps a little closer he now has his foot to the outside of Pete’s stance, is away from Pete’s power hand and is lined up to throw his left hook / right cross – the classic answer to the southpaw stance. 

Step 5: Pete has faced off against Alex in orthodox stance. 

Step 6: Correct! This time Pete circles right, switching stance as he steps. Pete has his power hand cued up, but is away from Alex’s strong side.  

The Thrasher

This quick switch-hitting combination was popularized by WKA welterweight world Muay Thai champion Andy Thrasher.  

Step 1: Pete faces off against Alex. 

Step 2: As Pete starts to move Alex should anticipate that he will throw a leg kick. 

Step 3: Instead, Pete steps forward as he switches, throwing a right hook.

Step 4: As Alex moves back away from the right hook Pete is in ideal position to throw a left body kick from his back leg. If Alex stays close, Pete can knee instead. 

Stepping Through with Punches

Although common in Muay Thai, switching stance in the middle of a combination is rare in boxing. This is a good way to catch your opposition by surprise and cover the fact that you have switched stance, allowing you to continue to work before your opponent can adjust his response. Take a look at UFC lightweight standout Roger Huerta to see this strategy in action, or at footage of one of the greatest boxers of all time, Marvin Hagler.  

Step 1: Pete jabs out but falls short, making Alex believe that he is out of range of Pete’s follow up. 

Step 2: Pete steps through with his right cross, blasting right through Alex’s guard, stamping his right leg as he makes the connection with his right hand. 

Step 3: He follows up with the third punch, a left cross from what is now his power hand.

Body Kick to Left Cross 

Similar to switching stance in the middle of punching, changing from right- to left-handed attacks while kicking can confuse your opponent. Experiment with different kicks to open up attacks.  

Step 1: Pete throws his right kick to the body. 

Step 2: Pete lands forward, his right foot dropping down outside of Alex’s foot. 

Step 3: Pete lets the left cross go from his back hand.

The Matador Step

Step 1: Pete faces off against Alex, both in orthodox stance  

Step 2: Alex level changes, ready to shoot. 

Step 3: Pete does the matador step, not sprawling away from the shot, but rather stepping around it, moving his lead leg to the outside and pivoting around into a southpaw stance.

Step 4: Alex has to pivot to catch up with Pete’s angle, giving Pete time to observe Alex’s position and pick his shot.