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Boxing Techniques - The Right Cross - Boxing Heavy Artillery!

About The Right Cross

 

As an orthodox boxer, the right cross is the straight shot that carries the power.  The right cross very often follows on from the jab but can just as easily be thrown in isolation with the same results in terms of power.  The reason that the right cross carries power is due to the amount of rotation of the hips via drive from the legs.  However, if the right cross is not thrown correctly, it leaves the boxer vulnerable to attack and can result in a significant reduction in the boxer's confidence in the shot, something I've witnessed regularly over the years.

In providing this demonstration of the right cross, I'm not saying that this is the only way to throw the punch.  As with all of the demonstrations of punching on the MyBoxingCoach website, the aim is to encourage you as a boxer to distinguish between punches, however subtle the differences.  I am particularly referring to the similarities between the right cross and the long-range right hook, which in essence is a right cross which approaches the target along a slightly different (wider) angle.

The right cross is part of the 'bread and butter' of boxing.  The ability to 'soften up' a target at long range makes the task of delivering a wider range of combinations (incorporating hooks and uppercuts) much easier.

 

The Mechanics of the Right Cross

 

To checkout the associated video, click on the link Boxing Techniques - How to Throw a Right Cross.

The mechanics of the right cross may be explained as follows:

1. From the boxing stance, the first action is a push from the back foot which generates the power to rotate the hips.  As previously mentioned, there is a significant rotation of the hips around the vertical, central axis.  If you think of the stance being held on the face of a clock on the floor, the left hip would be in the starting position at 11 o'clock, whilst the right hip would be in the starting position at 5 o'clock.  Following rotation, the right hip will arrive at 2 o'clock and the left hip would arrive at 8 o'clock.
2. As the rotation is taking place, the lead leg (left) bends slightly at the knee.  This bending of the knee enables the hips to rotate as required.
3. As the rotation is taking place, the right hand accelerates toward the target along a straight line, seeking to follow a line through the opponent's gloves and onto the target.  The acceleration is key, the shot does not travel at the same speed, it gets faster as it approaches the target.
4. As the fist approaches the target (having covered about 75% of the distance), it rotates inwards so that the palm is facing down towards the floor.  At the last moment, the fist clenches and 'snaps' on to the target.
5. The fist returns along the same line as before, returning to the 'home' position as per the stance.

 

Common Faults with the Right Cross

There are a number of common problems that can occur when throwing a right cross:

1. Rather than a push from the back foot which 'drives' power through the leg and into the hips, the boxer may often 'spin' the back foot.  This results is a significant reduction in the potential power delivered by the shot.
2. The right cross is 'telegraphed', or tell-tale movement takes place before the punch begins it's journey.  The most common giveaway on the cross is a 'drawback', the result of trying to hit too hard.  When the shot is telegraphed, it is very unlikely to land cleanly.
3. The boxer allows the punch to become an upper-body movement.  Ensure that the rotation of the upper-body is generated by the drive from the back leg and that you don't end up with an 'arm' shot.
4. The boxer 'bends' the body off the central axis.  Again this will reduce the power of the shot.
5. The final common fault is that often the left hand will drop from the 'home' position close to the cheek.  I'm sure there's no need for me to point out why this is a bad thing!

There you have it, the right cross, one of the most fundamental and important long range boxing techniques.  To checkout the associated video, click on the link Boxing Techniques - How to Throw a Right Cross.

About the Author

I've been involved in boxing for over 30 years, 15 as a competitor and the same as a coach.  I have been curious for quite some time as to whether I could create a unique resource on the Web; a blog that can provide a structured framework for learning how to box.  From throwing the perfect boxing jab, to slipping punches to nailing the ideal boxing stance.  Added to this, I explain the core aspects of boxing fitness including using the heavy bag, skipping rope and sparring.  My blog continues to grow in popularity and is helping interested people all over the world!

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