Should I Box Southpaw Or Orthodox? The Difference Of Southpaw Vs Orthodox

Boxing is a game of power; it does not need 1000 rules to be enjoyable and competitive. There is just pure strength, quick decisions, mental clarity, some safety measures, and a stance! The two stances, known as Southpaw vs Orthodox, are a famous contradiction that new boxers often face. 

And this debate of choosing between orthodox vs southpaw isn’t only limited to the new players; many times professional boxers realize that the stance they have been using for years wasn’t right for them and they switch it later in their career. 

But the question actually arises right here… if even the experienced boxers can’t pick the right one out of all boxing stances, how would an amateur or a beginner know which one is best for them? 

This blog is your answer to picking out the correct form for you... Let’s begin brewing the answers. 

What Is Southpaw In Boxing?

Southpaw in boxing is a stance that is most commonly used by left-handed boxers. The reason? In southpaw boxing, you have your left hand as the dominant one. In the southpaw position, your right hand and right foot are in the front place, while the left leg and left foot stay behind. 

However, if you are a right-handed person, you can still practice boxing in the southpaw stance; there is no hard and fast rule for that! There are many boxers in the world that choose to be right-handed southpaws. The goal is to be comfortable and confident in whatever stance you choose. 

What Is Orthodox In Boxing? 

The orthodox boxing stance is the exact opposite of the southpaw boxing stance. How? Most right-handed people use orthodox in their boxing games and sometimes in other games, too. In orthodox boxing, your right hand is the dominating one. 

Meaning that when you box in orthodoxy, your left foot and hand are closer to the opponent while your right hand and foot are behind.

Again, being right-handed, you aren’t “obliged” to use the orthodox boxing stance; you can pick the stance that works best for you and move forward with that. 

The Difference Between Southpaw And Orthodox

The difference between southpaw and orthodox stance is very simple, when a person fights with their right hand and foot at the front (closer to the opponent), having their left hand dominant, it is called the southpaw stance. And if they fight with their left hand and foot closer to the opponent, with the right hand being dominant, it is the orthodox stance. 

Which One Is More Challenging - Southpaw Or Orthodox?

If you ask me, both of these stances are almost similar to each other (except the key difference, of course); there is no hard or easy in these. 

However, many people find the southpaw boxing stance to be harder as it has the left hand as the dominant one, while the majority of people are right-handed. So punching in the south paw stance might be more uncomfortable for the majority. 

Is It Okay To Pick A Stance Against Natural Habit?

Of course it is! If you keep practicing in a stance that is against your nature for a few months, you will eventually start feeling completely natural in that! Some top boxers in the world such as Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya are left-handed orthodox fighters. Which tells us that it isn’t the stance that makes or breaks your game; it’s actually all about your skill and strength. 

The power of your punch is never dependent on what hand it is struck from, it comes from the strength and positioning of your whole body, primarily including legs and the core. If you are keeping your legs and core powerfully aligned with your punches, then you will have power in the game despite choosing the “Wrong” stance. 

So, What’s The conclusion Then?

The conclusion of this southpaw vs orthodox debate is rather simple! It all depends on YOU! The stance you fight with is totally your choice. Observe your boxing habits and see what you enjoy the most. Is your right hand more dominant? Do you think your punches are better delivered in the southpaw position? Or do you feel like you want to explore a different style? 

As I said earlier in the blog, boxing isn’t a game of a million rules, it is about your stamina and endurance, your strength, and how you choose to take the game! 

Discover Sting Sports

So whether you are a southpaw or an orthodox, the one thing that doesn’t bear any compromise in the game is your boxing gear! Pick out the best boxing gloves for you, choose the right head gear, and get your hand wraps or even the custom boxing shorts of your choice. Sting Sports has it all! 

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