Fundamentals
Unit 13: Open Book
Basic Jab Play
Open Stance Fundamentals
Mastering the Southpaw vs. Orthodox Matchup
The "Open Book" Matchup
An "open book" or open stance fight occurs when a right-handed fighter (Orthodox) faces a left-handed fighter (Southpaw). This creates a completely different dynamic than a closed stance fight. The lead hands and feet are aligned, creating a constant battle for positioning and opening up new angles for attack, particularly with powerful rear-side kicks to the body.
Fundamental Open Stance Drills
Drill 1: Lead Hand Control
1. Parry & Jab: The lead hand battle is key. Have your partner throw a slow jab. Use your lead hand to parry it down and away.
2. Counter Jab: Immediately after the parry, counter with your own sharp Jab straight down the middle. This drill builds the habit of winning the hand fight.
Drill 2: Circle to the Open Side
1. Circle: Always circle away from their power side. (Orthodox circles left, Southpaw circles right).
2. Kick: As you circle, your rear leg is lined up with their exposed torso (liver for Orthodox, spleen for Southpaw). Throw a hard Rear Roundhouse Kick to the body.
Drill 3: Lead Foot Dominance
1. Step Outside: The most dominant position is getting your lead foot on the *outside* of your opponent's lead foot. Practice taking a small, sharp angle step to achieve this.
2. Low Kick: From this outside position, their lead leg is vulnerable. Immediately fire a Lead Low Kick to their thigh.
Keys to Open Stance Success
- Win the Lead Hand Battle: Control their lead hand with parries and posts to set up your own offense.
- Circle Away From Power: Constantly move away from their rear power hand and leg. Never circle into their power.
- Own the Outside Angle: Fight to get your lead foot outside of theirs. This creates dominant angles for both striking and defense.
- Attack the Open Side: The rear kick to the body (liver/spleen) and the rear straight punch are your primary weapons.
Parry Cross Lead Hook
Open Stance Fundamentals
Mastering the Southpaw vs. Orthodox Matchup
The "Open Book" Matchup
An "open book" or open stance fight occurs when a right-handed fighter (Orthodox) faces a left-handed fighter (Southpaw). This creates a completely different dynamic than a closed stance fight. The lead hands and feet are aligned, creating a constant battle for positioning and opening up new angles for attack, particularly with powerful rear-side kicks to the body.
Fundamental Open Stance Drill
Drill: Parry to Cross-Hook
1. Parry & Cross: Parry the incoming jab with your lead hand and immediately counter with a Cross.
2. Angle & Hook: As your cross retracts, take a sharp angle step with your lead foot to the outside. This dominant position perfectly sets up a powerful Lead Hook.
Keys to Open Stance Success
- Win the Lead Hand Battle: Control their lead hand with parries and posts to set up your own offense.
- Circle Away From Power: Constantly move away from their rear power hand and leg. Never circle into their power.
- Own the Outside Angle: Fight to get your lead foot outside of theirs. This creates dominant angles for both striking and defense.
- Attack the Open Side: The rear kick to the body (liver/spleen) and the rear straight punch are your primary weapons.
Parry Cross Grab Rear Knee
Open Stance Fundamentals
Mastering the Southpaw vs. Orthodox Matchup
The "Open Book" Matchup
An "open book" or open stance fight occurs when a right-handed fighter (Orthodox) faces a left-handed fighter (Southpaw). This creates a completely different dynamic than a closed stance fight. The lead hands and feet are aligned, creating a constant battle for positioning and opening up new angles for attack, particularly with powerful rear-side kicks to the body.
Fundamental Open Stance Drill
Drill: Parry, Cross Grab, Knee
1. Parry & Cross Grab: Parry the incoming jab with your lead hand. Simultaneously, reach across with your rear hand to grab the back of your opponent's neck.
2. Pull & Knee: Use your grip to pull your opponent's head down and forward, breaking their posture. As you pull, drive a powerful Rear Knee into their body.
Keys to Success for This Drill
- Simultaneous Action: The parry and the cross grab should happen as one fluid motion. The parry creates the opening for the grab to land.
- Commit to the Grab: The cross grab is not a punch. Reach decisively to secure a strong grip on the back of the neck or head to ensure control.
- Break Their Posture: The pull is the most important part. You must forcefully pull their head down and forward to break their balance and expose their body.
- Drive the Knee: As you pull them down, drive your hips forward and bring your knee up powerfully into their solar plexus or sternum.