Dropping the left arm

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by average_joe, May 18, 2008.


  1. average_joe

    average_joe Member Full Member

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    Apr 19, 2007
    What are the advantages of dropping the left arm while fighting (like in the Philly Shell)? It allows the left arm to rest a little, but it also leaves you open more. I've tried punching from this position, but the jabs are a lot slower and more awkward from a low position.
     
  2. Ai9184

    Ai9184 Member Full Member

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    Jan 18, 2007
    it doesnt necessarly leave you open if you know what your doin, most people will drop that left hand to better protect there body and well there open for a right hand your supossed to block it wit ur shoulder or "roll it"......honestly just keep your left hand up, not every1 is floyd mayweather
     
  3. RDJ

    RDJ Boxing Junkie banned

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    You can use the left arm to protect the body.
    Luring people in, if you plan on countering them.
    They can't see the left hand coming.
     
  4. sheff-fighter

    sheff-fighter ` Full Member

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    I've never tried it, but from what I've read you're right, it's not great for throwing jabs, but it's better for protecting the body and throwing hooks.

    I never see anyone doing this in the amateur bouts I watch (compared to the amount I see it in the pros), is that because of the style of fighting in the ams doesn't fit it or the quality of the fighter?
     
  5. ajay11

    ajay11 Original Convict Full Member

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    You don't need the left arm low to protect the body, just drop the elbow down a little and your fine.

    The left arm being down offers alternate angles when throwing punches and is easier to land body shots to the liver (or jab to the mid-section if you like)

    Also if you have one arm high and one low your opponent may find it a little more difficult to deal with combinations coming in from different angles + height etc...

    It's more an offensive tactic than a defensive one for fighters with good hand speed.
     
  6. ralphc

    ralphc Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Philly Shell is a ****in' joke. It is a techically flawed style which gets a lot of damn fool young boxers knocked out, like that bonehead Kermit Cintron for example. 30 or 40 years ago if you wanted to look cool what you did was imitate Muhammad Ali, put your hands down, bounce up and down on your toes and wait to get hit. Times have changed, now if you want to look cool you have to imitate Floyd Mayweather. Doesn't matter how you look cool, the end result is always the same, the boneheads get knocked out.
     
  7. WHU

    WHU Member Full Member

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    Jun 18, 2006
    i think this attaching Mayweather to the philly shell is unfair on him he is a much more versatile fighter than this i cant remember a fight of his in the last 10years in which he has used only one guard for the duration of the fight.and the philly shell dont get people knocked out its when you dont execute it properly and or your opponents identifies flaws in your guard.someone can have a flaw in a high guard ie low right hand etc.all guards have weaknesses hands up sqaure stance in my opinion is the worst stance as offewrs way to mcuh of your body.
     
  8. RDJ

    RDJ Boxing Junkie banned

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    Well said. There's a word for people who only deploy one guard, or one method of defense. The word is "limited", or "one dimensional" (ok that's two words).
     
  9. JMonster

    JMonster Active Member Full Member

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    Mar 8, 2005
    great for left hooks
     
  10. elindiomonzon

    elindiomonzon Active Member Full Member

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    Sep 24, 2006
    the ones who say that its all wrong for the jab are wrong, the advantages of this type of defense is that you dont telegraph the jab u can snap it very fast and with strenght(not as much as the conventional style) but still with the necessary strength to keep your opponent at range for a fast combination.

    P.S. this style is for fast boxers not for slow ones, if u slow u will get your as counter every time u throw the jab or any other combination.
     
  11. joekirkbycobra

    joekirkbycobra King Of The Ring Full Member

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    i fight with my left down similar to junio witters style i also switch alot
    ive found that if you tuck your chin behind your shoulder (like b-hop )thats effect because when the jab slides off your shoulder it opens up the uppercut or right screw
    it also draws the fighter in an thus openin him up
    i prefer it myself i'll take a vid of me sparrin sometime
     
  12. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Depends on your style. If your quick handed and have a fast jab, you can flick it out like Tommy Hearns, but you also need good footspeed and long reach to use it properly.
     
  13. roscoe

    roscoe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    RJJ has got a lot to answer to with fighters coming out carrying there left by their waist. You can get away with it if your got tremedous handspeed & anticipation in the reflexes, like he did. But once they fade sooner or later your gunna get nailed, just like he did.
     
  14. boxingtactics07

    boxingtactics07 Active Member Full Member

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    Nov 3, 2007
    :good
     
  15. average_joe

    average_joe Member Full Member

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    Apr 19, 2007
    I agree that it is a lot harder to see coming. But everytime I've tried to jab high from this position, it's felt wrong. Jabs to the body work fine though. I think I'll wait till I'm better with the conventional stance before I try the philly shell though.