Head cross

.

2008-12-07. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Arthur “Viking” Gasanov (RUS) vs Sean “Hammer” Hinds (NYC. USA).

Cross is used mainly as a counter-punch. It never opens the attack since while doing it the torso opens a lot of vulnerable places, which are hard to cover. It can only be used in the attack when the opponent is opened up.

Execution. From the fighting stance, the bodyweight is transferred to the left leg, while left side of the torso forms a straight line. Then right hip and shoulder rapidly rotate in the direction of a punch and right hand rapidly straightens. Fist moves in a straight line at the shoulder level, and when touches the target, it does a rapid quarter counter-clockwise rotation so that in the moment of punch the palm points down.

In the last phase of the punch right shoulder covers the chin on the right, left fist covers it on the left and on the front. The hand is retracted in the same way as in left jab.

Cross is used to weaken the opponent and make him drop the hands.

What provides this punch its strength is a rapid torso turn to the left around left leg, and simultaneous body throw to the left leg thanks to bending right knee. Right hand starts to straighten when right shoulder reaches the level of left foot. The torso is constantly following the hand. The hand straightens along a linear trajectory from the shoulder to the target.

Depending on the tactical goals and the fight situation, head cross can be used in the offensive, counter-attack or as a preventive punch.

Since attacking cross is easy to notice, it is used in the attack only against very weak or very tired opponent. It is usually prepared by fake or real jabs.

As a preventive punch, head cross can be used against both jabs and crosses. In the first case, the boxer makes a step (half-lunge) left forward to open up the opponent. In the second case, he makes a slight slipping to the left to avoid the punch and directs the hand straight to the head of opponent (for that, he needs to target his left shoulder: the opponent will inevitable move to the left and the punch will get him in the head).

2015-10-23. Moscow-City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-V”. Roman “Vulture” Koshin (RUS) vs Beslan “Nomad”Nasyrov (TKM).

When used as a counter-punch, it is made after slipping to the right, parrying to the right and stepping to the left.

In all the cases the boxer covers his head with a left hand (open glove).

Upper head cross.

While doing this punch, the boxer raises lead elbow up so that the fist is moving almost along a spiral trajectory. As a result, left hand of the opponent will be parried with a lead shoulder or a forearm if he strikes.

2015-12-11. Moscow City. “RAMTL FIGHT-VI”. Sher “Sher-Khan” Mamazulunov (UZB) vs Valery “Gentleman” Pashkovsky (RUS).

If the elbow is raised higher, this punch will become an interim between straight and side punch. To make upper cross more powerful, the boxer can raise on its toes before throwing it.

Lower head cross.

The initial position for this punch is as follows: slightly inclining to the right, rotating torso to the right. Everything else is identical to the basic technique.

Short head cross.

The moment boxers get close to each other, right crosses become short punches (same way it happens with jabs). The technique is similar to basic upper and lower crosses. Short crosses are very strong and impactful for the opponent.

2005-01-18. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in the ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Victor Berezovsky (BLR) vs Tagir Magomedov (RUS).

1994-02-05. Novosibirsk (RUS). RMTL tournament. Dmitry Plyasetsky (BLR) vs Alexander Sokolov (RUS).

Short lower crosses can be done not only after the slipping, but also from the fighing stance.