Left-handed boxers are often instructed to fight with a southpaw stance, but right-handed fighters do as well. Fighting in a southpaw posture is said to provide a strategic advantage due to the tactical and cognitive problems of dealing with an opponent who moves in a mirror-reverse of the usual. In boxing, the southpaw stance is when the fighter stands with their left foot forward and shoots straight punches with their left hand only. Their right arm hangs by their side in a "safe" position where no punches can be thrown with it. In this stance, they become easily maneuverable and can move in close to attack or defend against their opponent's strikes. Southpaws are rare in boxing because coaches believe that if you're going to fight one-sided, then you might as well go all the way and use your whole hand. However, some top-level boxers have been known to use the southpaw stance from time to time when fighting multiple opponents or if they find that their regular stance gives them trouble. The main advantage of the southpaw stance is that it leaves your head and shoulders free while still being able to throw powerful shots with your whole body. There are several reasons why a boxer would fight in the southpaw stance. One is so that they can avoid taking damage from their own hands if they get hit hard during a fight.