If you want to learn the fundamentals of how to throw a rear straight aka the rear cross this video is for you. In this video we will cover both technique and application for the rear straight cross.
Watch the video for more detail but here is a bulleted list of what is on the video:
Fist vs Palm for Rear Straight Cross
Hitting with your knuckles gives you a couple of more inches of reach than your palm heel
Knuckles hit with a harder surface than a palm heel
Knuckles have an increased risk of injury from either a broken hand (5th metacarpal aka a boxer’s fracture)
Hitting with a fist also carries a risk of wrenching your wrist
Hitting with your palm heel carries virtually no risk of injury to you and is often advised especially for women or people with smaller hands
If you hit with knuckles aim for chin and jaw so you have an error margin above your target that is not the hard skull
Power in Your Rear Straight Cross
Punching power primarily comes from leg drive, a little from the trunk, and virtually nothing from just the arms
The leg drive creates rotational power that moves up through the body to the pelvis, trunk, and ultimately out through the arms into the fist or palm heel
The easiest tip for creating leg drive is to lift the heel and drop the knee inward for the punching side leg
This will rotate the pelvis, trunk, shoulders, and ultimately create a stretch reflex that whips your punch out w/ elastic energy rather than effort.
Guarding Your Face
Many fighters get punched in the face while throwing their own punch. To prevent this do 3 things:
Your non-punching hand should be up and in front of your face to block the centerline
Tuck your chin and raise the shoulder of your punching arm to protect your jaw from hook punches
Finally always move offline when punching. Step forward at a 45 degree angle
Non-Telegraphing
If you want your punch to land without your opponent having a chance to block it then you must remove as many of your telegraphs as possible
Telegraphs are any movements that you do prior to actually throwing your punch
Examples are: pulling your punching hand back before the punch, shifting or leaning, stepping before you punch, etc.
To fix this simply focus on moving your fist (or palm heel) forward at the same exact time as your knee drops in and as you step forward at that 45 degree angle. If you step and then punch they will see it coming so punch and step at the same time.
Application
Everything is predicated on beginning in lunging range. Learn more about lunging range here.
If you opponent throws a lead jab simply parry, step at a 45 degree angle forward with a non-telegraphic rear straight to their chin
If you opponent throws a big overhand simply step back and let their punch just barely miss you before countering with a rear straight to their chin
Same as above but maybe you are a little too close to step back so simply block their overhand and counter with your rear straight cross to their chin
As always follow your strike with a straight blast to a Thai clench in order to finish the fight. Learn more about the straight blast and Thai clench.
Training
Regular consistent training is the key to progress. If you want a follow along training session for the rear straight cross check out this video here and you can train along with me as I do my training.
Summary
The rear straight cross is a fundamental strike that every great fighter needs in their arsenal. Train it until you can’t do it wrong.
