Today I’m going to talk about How To Throw An Overhand Right. This type of punch if landed correctly, can really devastate your opponent.
The overhand right is known by some as a power punch because of the force at which it’s thrown. If it hits your opponent right on the chin, with enough force, it will drop him like a sack of potatoes.
Even if the punch hits him good in the face, chances are he will stumble back or even be disoriented from the punch. This will give you a chance to follow up with several combination punches.
Just like a lead hook an overhand right is a punch that you shouldn’t try to parry. The reason for this is that these types of power punches are ineffective against a parry. Remember, a parry is most effective against a straight punch.
The best defense against a power punch such as a lead hook or an overhand right is a slip, block, or moving entirely out of the way.
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The Correct Way To Throw A Overhand Right
How To Throw An Overhand Right
First you want to get into your proper boxing stance. In this example we will go with the orthodox style. The orthodox style is the boxing style for those who are right handed.
The first motion is your left foot is going to step out at an angle. Depending on where you’re taught boxing it is known as the clock movement.
This is among more modern teachings of boxing, you old school guys wouldn’t be familiar with this :).
What you’ll do is step out with your left leg to about 11am on the clock. You want to put pressure on that left leg as you follow up with your overhand right. Always remember to rotate your hips.
I always think it’s a good idea to follow up with your right leg as you are throwing your overhand right.
This is because it gives the overhand more momentum and it also closes your stance, if you don’t follow up with the right leg you will complete the overhand in a wide stance.
If somehow you go for the overhand right and your opponent defends against it, you can leave yourself wide open for a counter, and it would be worst for you standing in a wide stance position.
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When To Use An Overhand Right
The best time to execute an overhand right is while your opponent is throwing a jab. Remember, we are doing all moves in the orthodox stance.
When your opponent throws a jab, which will be with his left hand, you move your head out the center line as you take a forward step with your left foot (11am).
Then you simultaneously loop your right hand over the jab to land your overhand right. For more momentum you move your right leg in along with it. This motion also closes the wideness of your stance.
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Disadvantage Of Throwing An Overhand Right
When it comes to boxing or any self defense system out there, there’s going to be drawback of an attack. But the drawback shouldn’t prevent you from initiating an offense, because if you don’t you won’t win.
You simply can’t win a fight if you only use defense. In order to win a fight you have to have both a good defense and an offense strategy.
The drawback to any punch is a defense and counter punch. In this case with the overhand right your opponent would simply evaded the punch.
He would throw a jab, you counter with an overhand right, and he sees it coming and pulls back to avoid it. This would be a basic defense against the punch.
Your opponent can take this to another level by pulling back to avoid your right hand and countering with a right jab.
Another form of defense he can use is blocking your overhand right. He can use what we call “Answering the telephone” and block your punch by putting his whole arm to his ear and blocking it with his hand and forearm.
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To go on the offensive end of things they will block and counter with a right jab. Again, every punch can be defended against and countered in order to give the opponent the upper hand, or at least stay in the competition.
If this is happening in the streets, expect the defense and counter. Remember it’s a fight and you should always assume the person you’re fighting knows some sort of self defense.
Never under estimate your opponent. Whether in the ring or in a street fight. If you assume the person who you are fighting in the street can’t fight, and it turns out that he can, you’re going to be in for a long night.
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Is the Overhand Punch The Strongest
I think the answer to this question is subjective. Some fighters say it is and some fighters think otherwise. There’s no way to actually measure if the overhand is the strongest because a punch is as strong as it is thrown.
And the overhand is thrown by many boxers across many different weight divisions. Punches thrown by a heavyweight may not have the same effect if it were to be thrown by a lightweight.
An overhand punch is known as a power punch because of the momentum it is thrown with. Same with a hook. But there is no way to see if it’s the strongest punch in boxing.
Are Overhand Punches Allowed In Boxing
Yes, overhand punches are allowed in boxing. These punches are not illegal and are well within the realm of legit punches that you can use against your opponent.
Overhand punches are power punches and depending how much momentum you throw with it, and if it lands clean, you can knock someone out with it.
Just like any punch that’s thrown it can miss its target and allow your opponent to counter with a punch of his own. This is the nature of boxing or any other self defense system in the world.
Is An Overhand A Haymaker
No, a overhand right is not a haymaker. A haymaker punch is more wild, wide, and you wind it up more. A overhand right should be a controlled looping punch, not a wild haymaker.
The overhand right shouldn’t be telegraphed. It’s a calculated punch in response to a jab. Can your overhand right be countered or defended against?
Yes it can. This is boxing and all punches can be defended against. So when you throw any punch, just keep in mind that it can be defended and countered.
The issue with the haymaker is that it can be telegraphed from a mile away because you have to wind up the punch. Professional boxers can see you winding up and will either throw a punch at you first, or wait until your punch comes their way and counter it.
The most recent boxer to use a haymaker the best, and has much success with it is none other than Deontay Wilder, the former heavyweight champ.
How to Throw & Land The Overhand Right in Boxing
Is An Overhand A Hook
No, an overhand right is not a hook. These are two completely different types of punches, but both if landed correctly, with enough force, can knock you out.
Click on the link if you want to learn what a hook is and how to throw a hook punch.