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The Cross

In Boxing, one of the most effective and devastating punches found is the cross. The cross is a straight punch that is executed from the rear punching arm. When the front arm is held up in the guard position, this is normally the jab hand, while the rear arm is left to execute the cross.

The cross is best employed either in combination with other technqiues or when there is a visable opening to strike past your opponents guard. When punching with the cross, it can be beneficial to raise on either the front legs ball of the foot, or alternatively the rear foot, this will aid your punching power by slightly tilting the body forward. This tilting forward using the ball of the foot action not only increases the punches overall power but can also lengthen and extend the overall reach of the cross by a few extra inches.

In normal circumstances, the cross should be executed from the front of the body, however some people when punching out hastily will first pull the arm right back in an attempt to bring more power into the punch. This then becomes a typical Haymaker punch, and while haymakers can land with ferotious power, they are usually easily spotted by the opponent because the arm first drops behind before coming forward, lending an easier oppertunity to block or counter the punch. The haymaker therefor is excluded from Western Polecat Boxing as the Cross is a much more tidier version of the punch.