The Southpaw Boxer’s Best Friend – The Lead Hand Block

About the Lead Hand Block

For those orthodox boxers reading this, the lead hand block is not a boxing technique that you will use that often.  This rarity of use is because as an orthodox you will be much more used to incoming orthodox jabs flying at you down your right-hand channel, and defending these shots with the rear hand block.

This said, just because it isn’t a technique that is used as much as the rear hand block, this should not mean that you shouldn’t know it and understand it because as soon as you meet a decent southpaw boxer (even though statistically we’re only talking 1 in 9 here), this boxing technique will become central to you handling that southpaw well enough to win the fight.  It’s also worth mentioning that it’s a useful block against an incoming power shot (i.e. orthodox right hand), but we’ll get on to this later in the article.

If on the other hand you are a southpaw boxer, then this boxing technique will likely be your defensive meat and drink!  Your experience in boxing is largely a procession of orthodox boxers popping jabs towards you along your right hand channel.  This has resulted in your lead hand block being pretty much in constant use.

I mean, you should be combining this lead hand block with your own outgoing counter punch jab, all in one movement.  This boxing technique, quite simply, is one of the central pillars of any southpaw boxer’s fight strategy.  Check out the video, the mechanics, the common faults, then leave a comment or question below.

The Mechanics of the Lead Hand Block

Another boxing technique that consists of some simple and economical movements (when executed correctly!)  As always, the legs are key!

1. A push from the front foot rotates the body in a clockwise direction.
2. At he same time, the lead forearm rotates 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction, the palm open ready to receive the incoming shot.
3. When the shot has been blocked, the arm and body returns to it’s starting position.

See, simple really.  Just make sure that you don’t allow any of the following faults to creep in.

Common Faults with the Lead Hand Block

The main faults that may occur during the execution of this shot are:

1. The arm is not braced enough to stop the incoming shot.  This is particularly important if you are blocking an incoming (back hand) power shot.  If the blocking arm is not ‘firm’, the shot will plough through your palm thus smashing the back of your own hand into your face.  A boxing match can be a tough enough experience without being made tougher by hitting yourself in the face.  Make the arm firm, stop that shot!
2. The boxer reaches to block the shot.  In the video, I talk about your ‘defensive area.’  This is an area immediately in front you, and certainly no further away than the line of your front foot.  If you begin reaching beyond this area in order to block incoming shots, then all that you succeed in doing is creating gaping holes in your own defence.  A half-way decent boxer will spot this fault once, and on the next occasion will take advantage of that exposed jaw!

On a final note, in the video I explain a way of when using this boxing technique absorbing some of the power of an incoming power shot.  An incoming back hand (orthodox right or southpaw left) will vary in power significantly from opponent to opponent.  For those opponents that hit particularly hard, you can combine this block with a small move out and this has the effect of taking the sting out of the shot.  Don’t move out too far though, you’ll need to be able to make that palooka pay for trying to hit you in the first place.

Don’t forget, leave a comment below!

Cheers

Fran

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