How to avoid that dangerous overhand right hook?

[x100handslap**]

It seems a difficult punch to defend against because its comming diagonally down.

It knocks a ton of people out at the highest levels in MMA.

Whats the best way to avoid being knocked out by it/ to defend against it?

 

[spunkbun**]

 

[a guy]

It knocks people out for two reasons.

1. It's often used to counter the jab, and a lot of people simply don't know how to jab safely in MMA (weight goes too far forward, shoulder drops and head stays on line) so it lands often.

2. The beginning motions of it look identical to a takedown attempt or body shot. Fighters take their eyes off the right hand and sometimes drop their hands because they're expecting to either be blocking a punch to the ribs or sprawling. So they drop the hands a little, lean forward a little and look down and to their right, while the punch is coming from their upper left.

If you wanna defend it, it starts with your stance. You want your weight centered or back with your lead shoulder protecting the chin. Next, if you see the punch coming, whatever you do don't just stand there. You can try to slip it (not lean back, slip it to the right), but make sure you bend your knees and lower your level in case a takedown is coming. You can try to pivot out to your own right which helps avoid both the takedown and the punch. The most important thing is to not lot the opponent get close enough that you have to guess between sprawling or blocking a punch. Another great option is to jam your left forearm or palm forward into their biceps on the punching arm while you step forward with your right leg. This smothers and jams the punch, while getting your head out of the way and putting you in good position to push off and avoid the takedown, or squaring your hips and helping you defend if they duck under. You can do this with a knee as well if you like to work in the clinch.

 

[Frode Falch]

I am very open for this punch. Its the punch i get hit the most with, aside from the jab when i go against a good jab.

I dont got any good answer for you. I lift my left shoulder, tuck my chin, and just eat the shot. Dont matter as long as i see it coming in the end.

Haha but this is not a good answer.

ask your coach instead.

 

[PivotPunch]

If it's coming from the side like a hook you can just block it, defend it with your shoulder (is hard if if have a pretty square stance is easier out of a boxing stance), bob under it or lean away from it (leaning back is always dangerous tough) and defend it just like a hook. If it really comes down the middle defend it almost like a straight it depends a lot on your stance if you're squared up it's harder to defend if you have more of a boxing stance it should be easier, again depending on the angle use your shoulder if it's a really straight overhand even slip it like a straight punch.
It's hard to give an answer that works because it depends on the type of overhand on your style on your opponents style and a lot of things it would be easier if you had a specific situation or a video.
At least that's my opinion I'm no expert but give me an example and I'll try an overhand isn't really the toughest punch to defend at least in a pure striking situation

 

[Sinister]

You should be able to slip an overhand just as well as you can slip a straight. The target is the same. In fact if an opponent throws a correct straight it should be more difficult to defend because you don't see it coming in the same amount of time.

 

[FierceRedBelt]

From orthodox I slip to the left and usually left hook to the liver followed by a right cross if I have the space. If it's too late to slip to the left I'll make a lot of the space and hopefully they'll miss completely. (In kb this when you try to take their head off with a high kick, they don't respect you and you shouldn't respect them.)

I don't like blocking overhands rights as you're essentially helping them reset.

Overhand right and sloppy hook defense is a must for anyone to learn, it could really save your life some day. IMO

 

[SummerStriker]

I usually try to kick the shit out of the ribs of the person right after they throw it. It is one of the few times I'll actually shin kick to the body.

The OHR is one of those moves that I think it is important to punish the person for using. Leg kicks you want to check. Shots you want to head lock hard if you can. Over hand rights, you want to punish with a counter hit.

Most people over extend when they throw the over hand. Their shoulder goes way past their knees and they get stuck there. Doing so is considered correct technique by most mma guys because they only care about injuring their opponent.

I know I'm not talking about the initial defense, but if you make someone scared of using it, you will see a lot less of them.

If someone has a tight overhand right, I usually eat it on the forearm, but I still kick back.

As for cool defense, if you can throw a ball of the foot, TKD style snap kick, usually you can hit them in the ribs with a lead leg one tossed out as they wind up to throw it.

 

[Paradigm]

I usually try to kick the shit out of the ribs of the person right after they throw it. It is one of the few times I'll actually shin kick to the body.

The OHR is one of those moves that I think it is important to punish the person for using. Leg kicks you want to check. Shots you want to head lock hard if you can. Over hand rights, you want to punish with a counter hit.

Most people over extend when they throw the over hand. Their shoulder goes way past their knees and they get stuck there. Doing so is considered correct technique by most mma guys because they only care about injuring their opponent.

I know I'm not talking about the initial defense, but if you make someone scared of using it, you will see a lot less of them.

If someone has a tight overhand right, I usually eat it on the forearm, but I still kick back.

As for cool defense, if you can throw a ball of the foot, TKD style snap kick, usually you can hit them in the ribs with a lead leg one tossed out as they wind up to throw it.

isnt this the main reason we throw strikes?

 

[SummerStriker]

isnt this the main reason we throw strikes?

(; And I mean that to the exclusion of protecting themselves or trying another attack right after.

 

[Sinister]

The problem is that over-extending doesn't actually hurt the guy worse than a compact balanced punch would.

 

[a guy]

I usually try to kick the shit out of the ribs of the person right after they throw it. It is one of the few times I'll actually shin kick to the body.

The OHR is one of those moves that I think it is important to punish the person for using. Leg kicks you want to check. Shots you want to head lock hard if you can. Over hand rights, you want to punish with a counter hit.

Most people over extend when they throw the over hand. Their shoulder goes way past their knees and they get stuck there. Doing so is considered correct technique by most mma guys because they only care about injuring their opponent.

I know I'm not talking about the initial defense, but if you make someone scared of using it, you will see a lot less of them.

If someone has a tight overhand right, I usually eat it on the forearm, but I still kick back.

As for cool defense, if you can throw a ball of the foot, TKD style snap kick, usually you can hit them in the ribs with a lead leg one tossed out as they wind up to throw it.

And, as I said in my post, when thrown that way it's extremely difficult to tell the difference between it and a takedown attempt, plus it draws the eyes away from the strike.

 

[Paradigm]

And, as I said in my post, when thrown that way it's extremely difficult to tell the difference between it and a takedown attempt, plus it draws the eyes away from the strike.

sorry...not the clearest example but it illustrates your point:

 

[SummerStriker]

And, as I said in my post, when thrown that way it's extremely difficult to tell the difference between it and a takedown attempt, plus it draws the eyes away from the strike.

I'm haven't analysed fights to see this for myself.

Having done a lot of sparring with MMA guys who basically just box and wrestle, I have not ever felt confused by the technique. I have never, even once, mistaken one for the other.

That's just my subjective experience. I'm sure their could be people who make the two look the same. I have not seen it in person.

 

[a guy]

I'm haven't analysed fights to see this for myself.

Having done a lot of sparring with MMA guys who basically just box and wrestle, I have not ever felt confused by the technique. I have never, even once, mistaken one for the other.

That's just my subjective experience. I'm sure their could be people who make the two look the same. I have not seen it in person.

The overall movement of the body is very similar. The head comes down and forward as the weight goes to the front foot and the knees are bent, then the punch comes from an angle that's hard to see when thrown properly. The two both look the same at first and flow together very well, which is part of the reason why it's extremely common for wrestlers to develop infamous overhands. A wrestler who level changes properly and feints that throughout the session should be able to make you second guess whether you need to defend a punch or a takedown and you often get caught with the one you chose not to defend. If neither is being set up properly or is being done from too far away (I know you like to kick, you probably don't let guys get close enough for this to work very well) then you should be able to recognize the actual threat and defend properly. However, with the tendency towards front foot heavy stances and the caliber of wrestlers in MMA, the overhand right and takedown double threat is very potent.

 

[Gavster]

Answer the telephone with your wrist and check how big your bulge is with a groin guard on.

 

[SummerStriker]

The overall movement of the body is very similar. The head comes down and forward as the weight goes to the front foot and the knees are bent, then the punch comes from an angle that's hard to see when thrown properly. The two both look the same at first and flow together very well, which is part of the reason why it's extremely common for wrestlers to develop infamous overhands. A wrestler who level changes properly and feints that throughout the session should be able to make you second guess whether you need to defend a punch or a takedown and you often get caught with the one you chose not to defend. If neither is being set up properly or is being done from too far away (I know you like to kick, you probably don't let guys get close enough for this to work very well) then you should be able to recognize the actual threat and defend properly. However, with the tendency towards front foot heavy stances and the caliber of wrestlers in MMA, the overhand right and takedown double threat is very potent.

Huh. Good to know, and knowing is half the battle.

Thanks

 

[Paradigm]

I'm haven't analysed fights to see this for myself.

Having done a lot of sparring with MMA guys who basically just box and wrestle, I have not ever felt confused by the technique. I have never, even once, mistaken one for the other.

That's just my subjective experience. I'm sure their could be people who make the two look the same. I have not seen it in person.

how good are these people youre sparring with? i catch teeps here and there in the gym but that doesnt mean i could catch one from Buakaw.

i think 1:26 explains it (or something)...ive been trying to find a better gif than the Rashad one but this is harder than i thought. that one should have summed the technique up more or less. if you need more examples, look at the wrestlers at 170 like Hendricks, Ellenburger, Kos, etc...im sure theyve done it in at least one of their fights.



im still looking...not the cleanest example but here is Chris Weidman:

heres a sloppy Roy Nelson one but in reverse...again, not the cleanest example:

i think you need to watch actual MMA more because youre not seeing what some of the top level guys are doing if youre comparing it to what regular dudes in your gym might be capable of. you could have pros at your gym...no idea. im just speculating here.

 

[nomilkforsanta]

how good are these people youre sparring with? i catch teeps here and there in the gym but that doesnt mean i could catch one from Buakaw.

i think 1:26 explains it (or something)...ive been trying to find a better gif than the Rashad one but this is harder than i thought. that one should have summed the technique up more or less. if you need more examples, look at the wrestlers at 170 like Hendricks, Ellenburger, Kos, etc...im sure theyve done it in at least one of their fights.



im still looking...not the cleanest example but here is Chris Weidman:

heres a sloppy Roy Nelson one but in reverse...again, not the cleanest example:

i think you need to watch actual MMA more because youre not seeing what some of the top level guys are doing if youre comparing it to what regular dudes in your gym might be capable of. you could have pros at your gym...no idea. im just speculating here.

the overhand right for wrestlers is like the casting punch for sambo.

 

[Paradigm]

the overhand right for wrestlers is like the casting punch for sambo.

yeah...came across Fedor a couple times in my gif search. not much gif material out there on this, surprisingly...guess its not that popular of a gif subject.