Become Fighter
Orthodox against southpaw: Kickboxing guide
Where the angles change and which kicks work against an opposite stance.
When two fighters stand with opposite leads, their lead feet are on the same line and the usual angles flip. Your rear hand is now lined up with their lead hand, and your lead foot fights for the outside.
In kickboxing the biggest change is the kicks. A southpaw's rear kick lands on your lead side, and your own rear kick faces their lead leg. Know which target is open.
Key points
- Fight for the outside of the lead foot. Whoever gets it holds the better angle.
- As an orthodox fighter, your rear low kick hits their lead leg: a good target.
- Your jab and their lead hand cross over. Beat it by being quicker or by changing the angle.
- Their rear kick lands on your lead body and leg. Be ready to check or block.
- Circle away from their power side, which is their rear hand and rear leg.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Fighting the same as against orthodox. Re-learn the angles. Lead foot position matters more than hand speed.
- Circling into the power side. Circle toward their lead hand, away from the rear hand and rear leg.
- Ignoring the lead leg. The lead leg is the easiest and most damaging target against a southpaw.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Style matchups module of Kickboxing foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Style matchups
- Fighting a pressure fighter: Kickboxing guide
- Fighting a counter-kicker: Kickboxing guide
- K-1, full-contact and other rule sets: Kickboxing guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.