One of the most critical decisions a new boxer must make is choosing between fighting in the southpaw vs orthodox stance. Whether you’re a young athlete just getting started or an adult looking to pick up boxing, this choice can have a significant impact on your success in the ring. While many factors can influence this decision, including handedness, foot dominance, and performance in sparring, it’s important to understand the distinctions between these two stances and how they align with your natural abilities.
Southpaw vs Orthodox: What’s the Difference?
The key difference between the two stances is which hand and foot lead during a fight.
- Orthodox stance: This is the most common stance in boxing, where the boxer leads with their left foot and left hand while their right hand and right foot are positioned in the back. In this stance, the left hand is primarily used for jabs, while the stronger, dominant right hand is used for power punches like hooks and crosses.
- Southpaw stance: In contrast, the southpaw stance leads with the right foot and right hand, leaving the left hand and foot in the back. This stance is more common among left-handed fighters, who prefer to keep their dominant hand behind for stronger, more powerful punches while using the right hand for jabs.
Handedness and the Ideal Stance for Left-Handed Boxers
Traditionally, a left-handed fighter is encouraged to adopt the southpaw stance because it allows their dominant left hand to be their most powerful weapon. Since left-handed people are less common, southpaw fighters tend to be harder to deal with for orthodox boxers, who are used to fighting opponents with the same stance as them.
The Hidden Factor: Dominant Foot in Boxing
However, choosing a stance based purely on handedness doesn’t always account for a critical aspect of boxing: footwork. In fact, many left-handed people are right-footed. This can introduce a dilemma—if your dominant foot is your right foot, you may feel more balanced and agile in the orthodox stance, despite being left-handed. Since footwork is the foundation of boxing, your dominant foot might play a bigger role in determining whether you go with a southpaw vs orthodox stance.
- Why footwork matters: Boxing isn’t just about throwing punches—it’s about moving efficiently and controlling the ring. The foot that leads in your stance dictates how smoothly you can pivot, dodge, and close the distance to your opponent. If you’re more comfortable leading with your dominant foot, even if it’s your right foot as a left-handed person, it could make the orthodox stance more effective for you.
This is a factor that is often overlooked when discussing boxing stances, but it’s crucial to consider. Your balance, movement, and rhythm in the ring might be more influenced by your foot dominance than by your hand dominance.
Let Sparring Tell You Which Stance Works Best
One of the best ways to determine if your ideal stance is southpaw vs orthodox is through sparring. Whether you experiment with southpaw or orthodox, the real test comes when you’re in the ring practicing with live opponents. Sparring is your laboratory—the results you get in these practice rounds will provide valuable insight into which stance feels more natural and gives you better control over your movements and punches.
- If you’re consistently landing cleaner punches, defending more effectively, and feeling more in control in one stance, that might be your cue to adopt it as your go-to.
- On the flip side, if a stance feels awkward or you notice that your footwork suffers, it might be time to reconsider. The results from sparring don’t lie, and they’ll guide you toward the stance that maximizes your potential.
The Advantages of Fighting Southpaw
There’s a reason why southpaw fighters have a certain mystique around them—there are specific advantages to adopting this stance.
- Unfamiliarity: Most boxers train to fight orthodox opponents, so facing a southpaw can throw off their rhythm. Your jabs and hooks come from unexpected angles, making it harder for orthodox fighters to predict your moves.
- Control of angles: Southpaw fighters often have a strategic advantage in creating angles, which allows them to attack from positions where orthodox fighters are more vulnerable.
- Lead hand advantage: The lead hand in a southpaw stance can be used to control the orthodox fighter’s jab, creating opportunities to land clean power punches.
However, it’s important to recognize that these advantages won’t carry you through a fight on their own. While being a southpaw might give you an edge in certain situations, it’s not a shortcut to victory.
Core Skills and Stamina Are Essential, No Matter the Stance
At the end of the day, solid boxing fundamentals—footwork, defense, accuracy, speed, and stamina—are what will win you fights. Relying on your stance alone, whether southpaw or orthodox, won’t get you far if you haven’t developed these essential skills. In fact, being in the wrong stance without adequate skills can actually work against you, leaving you more exposed to attacks and less effective in delivering punches.
In the ring, everything from your movement to your punch accuracy depends on a foundation of discipline and training. A southpaw who lacks stamina or technical proficiency will struggle just as much as any other fighter. Boxing is a complex sport, and while your stance is important, it is only one piece of the puzzle.
Southpaw vs Orthodox: What Works Best for You
Choosing between the southpaw and orthodox stance is a personal decision that requires careful thought. Your handedness, dominant foot, and the results you experience during sparring will all play significant roles in determining which stance suits you best. It’s important to experiment, reflect on your performance, and prioritize the stance that makes you feel most comfortable and effective in the ring.
Remember, boxing is a sport of skill, and no stance will make up for a lack of fundamentals. Whether you go southpaw or orthodox, focus on building your core abilities as a boxer, and let the results in training and sparring guide your decision.
About the Author: Jason Van Veldhuysen
Jason Van Veldhuysen has been coaching boxing for the past 20 years and has been an online boxing coach for the past 15 years. He is the founder of the Precision Striking Youtube Channel (over 1 million subscribers), as well as the founder of the Precision Striking Membership, an exclusive program that helps fighters train to their highest levels while refining their boxing skills and technique. With years of experience as an amateur boxer and a passion for teaching, Jason specializes in footwork, combinations, and drills that elevate a boxer’s overall game. Known for his clear and practical training methods, Jason has helped boxers at all levels—from beginners to competitive fighters—reach their full potential.