boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermine ...

, a straight or cross (also commonly called or a rear hand punch) are punches usually thrown with the dominant hand and are power punches like the

uppercut The uppercut (formerly known as the undercut; sometimes also referred to as the ''upper'') is a punch used in boxing that travels along a vertical line at the opponent's chin or solar plexus. It is, along with the cross, one of the two main pun ...

and

hook A hook is a tool consisting of a length of material, typically metal, that contains a portion that is curved or indented, such that it can be used to grab onto, connect, or otherwise attach itself onto another object. In a number of uses, one e ...

. Compubox, a computerized punch scoring system, counts the straight and cross as power punches. The Straight/Cross remains one of the most common methods of

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

across

combat sports A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport that usually involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent, submitting the opponent with a hold, disabling the oppon ...

including

kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sport focused on kicking and punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is practiced for self-defense, gen ...

, and MMA.

Technique

From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin, travelling towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is comes forward and finishes touching the outside of the chin. For cover, the lead hand can be retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips rotate counterclockwise (for right-hand dominant, and clockwise for left-hand dominant) as the straight/cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot, resulting in the rear heel turning outwards to transfer weight. Body rotation and the sudden weight transfer is what gives the straight/cross its power. If it is thrown the instant an opponent leads with the same side hand. The blow crosses over the leading arm, hence its name. If the rear hand instead travels inside the opponent's guard, it is a straight. It is commonly used to set up a

. The straight/cross can also follow a jab, creating the classic "

one-two combo In boxing, the "one-two combo" is the name given to the combination consisting of two common punches found in boxing – a jab (thrown with the lead hand) followed by the cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersect ...

". Image:Direct_long1.jpg, A right cross (as it is traveling over the guard) Image:absorption_torsion1.jpg, ''A left straight punch from a

Southpaw Southpaw is another name for a left-handed individual, particularly in sports. Southpaw may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''The Southpaw'', a 1952 novel by Mark Harris * Southpaw (comics), a fictional character in the Marvel comic ''Sh ...

'' Image:cross1.jpg, ''A straight in

counterpunch ''CounterPunch'' is a left-wing online magazine. Content includes a free section published five days a week as well as a subscriber-only area called CounterPunch+, where original articles are published weekly. ''CounterPunch'' is based in the Unit ...

. Were this over the jab, it would be considered a cross.''

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cross (Boxing) Boxing terminology Kickboxing terminology Punches (combat)