Orthodox or Southpaw?

[martialboxer]

I was just wondering what stance you guys feel more comfortable in. I personally am more comfortable with the southpaw even though I'm right-handed, mainly because that's how I wrestle.

I'm fairly comfortable in both orthodox and southpaw in my standup and when I go for the shot, it's just that I feel that my standup isn't that different between the two stances. The difference in my grappling however is apparent although I'm working on it.

[DY]

I'm a southpaw. I've had two experienced boxing coaches warn me against switching hands without much explaination. As someone who is still in the learning stages of principles, I recognise the opportunity for attack from an opponent during transition. But I think the most significant reason is more about the coaches, and their guidance on me mastering one hand before learning the other.

As for ground stuff. I've been learning right handed and it comes more natural. I can mirror left handed, but have to be much more methodical in my approach, thus it is largely undeveloped.

[67 Fastback]

Without thinking, a southpaw. However, I have a tendency to shift.

[chokeu2]

I go both ways...

Not THOSE ways fuckos!!!

Depending the game of my opponent helps decide which hand to lead with. I'm a righty, so naturally, I fight strong side to the rear. However, for a grappling heavy fame using your strong hand to lead with a very heavy jab has immense benefit. If I'm going against a striker, I'll fight weak side foward so that I can bomb with my strong hand.

Anyone who'd tell ya not to switch up, I'd question. But thats only an opinion from someone who is not style focused like a boxer would be. I do not mean that in a negative way. MMA is all about being hybrid in approach, thats why I like it.

[Xdeth]

I'm left handed naturally, just like everything else in the right handed dominated world, learning curve is steeper.Think about any training progression being taught by righty's to righty's. First you have to tackle it wrong handed which sucks most of the time since your coordination is not up to par, then you need extra time for the instructor to show and figure it out it all counter footed/handed, AND your training opponent will be all f'd up by your reverse attack so repeatability with your partners for training purposes is more difficult to acheive. All in all it's a total pain in the ass being a lefty.

I almost forgot to add, sometimes what works for a right on right or left on left is totally disastorus when mixing the two stances, often even the instructors may not initially realize this, but you will when you try it, trust me.

[Axe]

I am naturally right-handed, but can switch over to left-handed well. It is a lot of fun to start out right handed, then in the middle of things switch your orientation and see the expression on other people's faces when they start to realize, "Hmm...something seems backwards here. What do I do now?!!"

[Ranger002]

I been sparring allot lately and my left jabs, backfists, and atemis are awesome! Now if I can just punch through a wet paper bag with my right.

I have some serious work to do with my right. :eek:

William Hazen

[Daredevil]

My boxing coach in college used to advise against practicing both ways. I used to do it anyway though. Mainly because I'd been reading Tao of Jeet Kune Do and I saw where Bruce Lee believed in fighting southpaw despite being a right hander.

I've had some Thai boxing coaches say they don't like it either. They say it leads to some confusion. I don't know how true that is.

[Gryfen-FL]

they don't like it either. They say it leads to some confusion. I don't know how true that is. I agree to a certain extent. I don't know about deliberately fighting 'weak' side.
But from a training standpoint: training weak side leads to initial confusion....definitely a steeper learning curve (for me anyway). But it has seemed to pay off. I think it's something about learning weak-side first that forces me to be more deliberate….hence a more solid technique down the road.

[Royal Highland Fusilier]

I'm a believer of predictability gets you killed.

[chokeu2]

I'm a believer of predictability gets you killed.

Right on