Question about Southpaws

[Andre]

welcome to the forum too.

I think generally you have the advantage because most naturals train with naturals more often.

You also train with naturals more often too so there lies the main advantage.

But it ends there because its like fighting yourself but in mirrored fashion so its down to individual skills after that unless you have studied the adjustments required and take an advantage because they havent.



I like the sword fighting mental challenges of front arms both in cross style and in parallel as well. The fact you are turning into their strong hands range when throwing the your own rear shot takes a certain awareness.

I think the real art of doing it well doesnt just stop at the initial adjustment and awareness ,you can build more into it too, stuff like choking out their arm with your glove in between hitting them and moving.Catching them with their feet dead square to where they are facing if you slip to the inside and catch them with a hook straight to the face etc, you get more power from doing that from a mirrored position but you time off their reaction to something else.

Theres alot to play with.

In Mma there is even more because they only have to give you a glimpse of the rear of their front leg and that is reached so fast with a right leg facing a left leg or visa versa.So it pays to adjust as they are moving and know where there front foot is going to land. Front elbow and front leg effects their balance dramatically. If you can upset their balance even slightly you can move and have them within in that minor disruption.(goes for boxing too ,by moving their elbow slightly just before their same foot touches the canvas)South vs natural makes that easier to do.

Hows life fighting other southpaws anyway? Any others there to spar with?

[ScubaSteve86]

Thanks for the replies

In regards to my own style, I am predominantly a Southpaw, and fight as such, but I am able to switch to Orthodox when the situation demands it. However, I am more comfortable with my natural left-handed stance.

In regards to your post Andre, Most of my sparring partners are Orthodox. There is one other left-hander, but he prefers Orthodox fighting.

Any tips for fighting Southpaw (such as keeping your left hand up to guard against the inevitable right to the face) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for the replies

[Youngblood]

You should have been killed at birth. But seeing you made it thru, enjoy your advantage. I suppose. kinda. No. Seriously. FU. jk.

[Dadi Astthorsson]

A practical reason not to go southpaw: there are a lot more people out there with a lot more knowledge to share if you are orthodox. Even good and great trainers are very basic when it comes to teaching a southpaw. It is not the same thing only in reverse as some like to say.

[Andre]

A practical reason not to go southpaw: there are a lot more people out there with a lot more knowledge to share if you are orthodox. Even good and great trainers are very basic when it comes to teaching a southpaw. It is not the same thing only in reverse as some like to say.

You should elaborate.

[Dadi Astthorsson]

A practical reason not to go southpaw: there are a lot more people out there with a lot more knowledge to share if you are orthodox. Even good and great trainers are very basic when it comes to teaching a southpaw. It is not the same thing only in reverse as some like to say.

You should elaborate.

I don't mean to be coy, I'm just dealing with an injury that leaves me a little exhausted!

Basically the difference between foot-positioning of southpaw vs orthodox and orthodox vs orthodox is more than a minor difference.

I'll be happy elaborate further when I get my head cleared.

[Andre]

You take a hit? You ok?

[Andre]

A practical reason not to go southpaw: there are a lot more people out there with a lot more knowledge to share if you are orthodox. Even good and great trainers are very basic when it comes to teaching a southpaw. It is not the same thing only in reverse as some like to say.

You should elaborate.

I don't mean to be coy, I'm just dealing with an injury that leaves me a little exhausted!

Basically the difference between foot-positioning of southpaw vs orthodox and orthodox vs orthodox is more than a minor difference.

I'll be happy elaborate further when I get my head cleared.

I agree it is much more than a minor difference, in relating it to fighting a mirrored image,I was relaying that the opposition has the same advantages and disadvantages to face also.

Contact range from head to fist and fist to fist of contact of gloves is very differrent as is the angle in relation to the opposition.

The front foot is an obstacle at times too,but like I said Ive found the front foot can be pegged by the front arm being controlled.

To be honest; personally I havent been taught the intricacies of any hard rules that would form a mindset to go on when facing an opposite stance but I would love to find out.

The only time I can remember going south myself was around someones move so when Ive experienced being in south it has been for a reason on the oppositions reaction only.

Be great to share any knowledge you have ,thanks.