My question is concerning the usefulness of the lead uppercut.....reak question is,is it really something to focus on to improve and add to my game. I feel comfortable throwing all other punches but on a common basis I cant land my lead uppercut in sparring, I actually feel more vulnerable to a counter, also feels like there's no REAL benefit in throwing it except to create vulnerability in the opponents head (which is important). Especially for me as a southpaw I find even more reasons not to throw it.....BUT the point of this thread is not to say the lead hand uppercut isnt useful, not at all.....just questions regarding it 1 - what can I do to improve this, as a setup for it or using it to set something else up? as a southpaw fighting most orthodox, would the change in stance effect my ability to pull it off? 2 - Ive seen and heard from many trainers different ways to throw it, some say lean over the lead leg and turn it up, others say actually throw it right from where you are pulling your weight back to the rear leg? Thoughts on either? 3 - can anyone show me a good fighter utilizing this? My trainer is away for the next 2 days at other gyms sparring getting one of his fighters ready for an upcoming bout and for sure this will be the first question I ask when I see him next
Erik Morales threw the lead uppercut effectively, granted hes not a southpaw but... maybe you can convert it?
I have seen fighters use a lead uppercut with a straight going down the pipe. The way they throw it is by first throwing the uppercut and lean off to the side to move their head out of the way while throwing a straight (in your case a straight left). I am a southpaw too, so try sparring with a Jab, slip, lead uppercut and a straight going down and roll out afterwards (watch how Mayweather throws a straight right and sometimes rolls underneath after he finishes to avoid getting countered). Then try a shovel hook, lead uppercut on the inside with a straight to finish. You can throw the uppercut both ways but expect more power with an uppercut off a slip or a load. But expect more "SURPRISE" power by throwing the uppercut off of your original position without loading it. When i can find fights to show you I definitely will. I have seen it before, anything is possible but i understand that you are trying to do it within reason.
I have found if your taller it is much easier to pull it off. I mostly lean on my back foot when doing it to help avoid bwing counterd but I normally see shorter fighters put more weight on the front.
I'm sure we could find you examples of fighters using it with great success, but it's not something I'd try until your already more comfortable using your timing and mixing uppercuts into your combinations and actually landing them.
