Switching Stance
Published September 24, 2008 by Martin Bean
Switching stance is not something many coaches would advocate; after all, why would you switch to a stance that is unnatural to you and at the same time give you opponent a chance to take advantage of this.
To be honest, I generally don’t recommend changing stance, especially not for long periods, such as 45 to 60 seconds of a round and upwards. Unless you are naturally balanced and ambidextrous like Naseem Hamed and Ryan Rhodes, it can be suicide if not performed correctly.
But, despite all of the negatives highlighted above, short and sharp switches of stance can offer you a significant advantage over your opponent, opening up more angles and room to maneuver. It’s a subtle movement but one that can really have an impact. In fact, it’s so subtle your opponent may not even realise it’s happened!
You certainly need to work on this move a lot in the gym before trying it in sparring and an actual contest, because it is essential you create a smooth action and have got the timing right.
So, the type of move you are looking to make is to:
- Throw a sharp jab (perhaps even a double or triple jab dependent on confidence, sometimes it is easier to throw more jabs before switching)
- As the final jab is thrown, throw you’re rear hand and at the same time move your rear foot forward, effectively switching stance and therefore bringing you right into punching range.
- After (hopefully) landing the strong rear hand, you are then in prime position to unleash a two or three punch combination from you’re unnatural stance.
- Combination landed, you then need to move back to your original stance (leave you natural lead foot where it is and move the other back to it’s original position).
- Now you are back in your original stance. You have two options; (i) Throw another combination from you position just out of range and then move. Or (ii) Just get out of range and don’t give you’re opponent chance to counter.
The key to this is stepping over with the rear hand and rear foot at the same time. It isn’t easy and takes some getting used to, but once you’ve mastered the move it’s a real asset.
Timing and range are the keys to this—the jab(s) initiating the move are essentially range finders, you’re using them to gain rhythm before stepping over and unleashing a great rear hand in an unnatural stance, before letting a combination go and going back to your original stance. You’re never out of your usual stance for more than 5 seconds but this short and sharp work can be unpredictable as you move in and out of range at high speed.
As I’ve said above, it’s not easy but practice, practice, practice and you will get there.
If you want a high profile example of this in action get out a DVD of Miguel Cotto’s magnificent battle with Antonio Margarito. Twice during the fight Cotto switches stance to Southpaw and lands scoring punches, before quickly reverting back to his natural Orthodox stance and getting out of range. Cotto uses this move especially well at the tail end of round five when there are some fantastic exchanges. Go and watch the video to see how he does it—smoothly, effortlessly.
The beauty of this move is that it can be effective whether you are an aggressive come forward fighter or a pure boxer. Moving in and out of range so quickly is effective and makes it hard for your opponent to react—by the time they work out what’s happened you’ve landed scoring punches and have got out of range.
The move can be used in reverse gear too. If a fighter is trying to pressure you, it’s possible to create extra room by:
- Moving your lead foot backwards so you have switched stance (you’re usual jabbing hand now becomes you’re rear hand).
- Then you lead off with the now rear hand and can start with either a straight shot (perhaps an uppercut or body shot would be more effective if you are under extreme pressure and your opponent is in close).
- Follow this up with two or three more punches and then move out of range (to your left if you started this move as an Orthodox and to your right if you started the move as a Southpaw), switching back to your original stance in the process.
Again, spend lots of time practicing the move so you are comfortable with it before trying it out. Make sure you’re balanced before throwing any shots and then get away sharply, giving you’re opponent little or no chance of landing any counters.
Have you found this useful or do you have further questions? Or have you tried this in the gym and found it useful? Let us know! Email us at info@boxingcapital.com. Also email us if there are any particular training topics you would like us to cover.
Please note: The above article is to be used as a general guideline only and no training should be undertaken unless you are medically fit to compete and being advised and monitored by a qualified coach.
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