In boxing, the cross or the straight is a power punch thrown by the dominant hand. This punch has led to many knockouts and concussions in the combat sport arenas. So how do I throw the cross or rear hand punch? Like the jab, the cross starts from our guard. Check out my blog on the jab here. The cross extends from our guard linearly to our target. We can initiate the cross with hip rotation making sure to drive our weight from the rear leg to the lead hip. We engage the core to prevent the loss of power generated by our hips. We continue the rotation from hip to shoulder to finally extend and launch our fist forward. Remember posture is important. The core is engaged during the movement so that we do not lose our balance. Complete the rotation started by our hips to the tip of our fist. Remember to keep the opposite hand up next to our chin and return the punching hand back to the guard to complete the punch. Something noteworthy, during full rotation of hip and shoulders, the cross can reach the same distance as the jab. Though, the cross does travel a total further distance to the target.
Noteworthy points about the cross:
The power is generated by an explosive transfer of weight from the rear foot through the hips and then extension of the shoulder. The muscles in the trunk and core contribute to the force at impact.
The cross is often set up and not thrown in isolation, though it can be and sometimes is thrown without a setup. The classic one-two combo is a combination setup that ends with the cross or straight-right.
Additionally, adjusting your angle and timing can help bypass your opponent’s guard.
Precision is also important to the cross. Over-committing can leave the aggressor open to a counterattack.
A common mistake when throwing the cross is telegraphing. Loading up, projecting intent, or improper form can notify your opponent giving them an opportunity to defend or counter.
Alternatively, the cross can also be an effective counter punch.
The cross also has a few variations, such as the overhand cross which comes in at a different angle to attack its target.