Train southpaw for mma?

[thedirtybadger]

I've been trainig in bjj, judo and wrestling now for just over a year, and after a few submission grappling tournament this year, will be looking to start amateur mma.

Anyway, i'm starting muay thai next week at our gym. When i asked about the classes, some of the other guys had suggested starting to train as a southpaw, although i am right handed. The reasoning behind this is that with small mma gloves, it is better to have the co-ordinated side forward as even a jab can cause damage. It would also be a benefit against orthodox fighters due to the awkwardness of fighting a southpaw.

Does it make sense to start training southpaw, or work on being comfotable with both stances, or will it be more of a hinderance than a help? I'm not completely untrained in stand-up, i used to box when i was 13, 14 (now 21).

 

[sugarboyae]

its all a player preference thing.

there will ALWAYS be a battle of ideology:

1) better to have one strong side than two weak ones

or

2) best foot foward


honestly, just try it out and then see how it works out. i fight switch stance. to me, its good to have both... many ppl will agree in that its best to figure one stance out first then mess around.

just try it out.

 

[Zodiak_Killer]

Fight with your dominant side. Usually it helps to train both sides, as it helps your punches.

And both the Russians and Cubans train southpaw and orthadox....and their boxing speaks for itself....

 

[BJJ Coffee Drinker]

just stick to orthodox. dont switch your stance just to suit what someone else says. then learn to punch and strike from your natural stance (power hand on rear side) then after you are proficient at one side, THEN switch your stance with power hand in front. since you would have developed a base by then with your striking, you will easier understand striking and can aplly it better to your other side. the southpaw stance can be your variant on your style or vice versa. build on your strength then develop your weaknesses. dont abandon your strength then go off to something completely off

 

[estrada1990]

i had exactly the same problem. im right-handed too. i had an injury one time though in one of my legs and it hurt to do something specific i cant remember what it was. anyways i would just box and throw the right kick in the orthodox stance. now i can throw a jab way better with my left hand foward and i can move around a lot better with my left foot foward. its all technique. hope i helped in some way.

 

[krait]

i had exactly the same problem. im right-handed too. i had an injury one time though in one of my legs and it hurt to do something specific i cant remember what it was. anyways i would just box and throw the right kick in the orthodox stance. now i can throw a jab way better with my left hand foward and i can move around a lot better with my left foot foward. its all technique. hope i helped in some way.

I'm confused about your post. Left hand and foot forward is orthodox. Right side forward is southpaw(lefty) stance.

 

[jeetkuneduh]

You should read Mark Hatmakers stuff about this, he talks alot about how the old school pre jab and pre glove boxing was and suggest that you use your more cordinated, even if it is the power hand, as your lead.

 

[estrada1990]

I'm confused about your post. Left hand and foot forward is orthodox. Right side forward is southpaw(lefty) stance.

i used to like to throw the back leg a lot. i wanted to fight in southpaw stance. i couldnt throw my back left kick because of the injury so i switched to orthodox. that way i could throw the back right leg. i just got used to it from there.

 

[TrentRage]

I would say rather than switching, just work on your left hooks and jabs. If you have a good coach, he can help you with it. IMO, a damn left hook thrown effectively is one of the most dangerous punches.

 

[TrentRage]

Not only that, IMO you need to keep it simple. It seems (have never done it, so I may be wrong) that doing that will overcomplicate things. And once you get in a fight and under stress, you will revert to your natural stance anyway.

 

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

I train to fight both righty and lefty, if nothin' else to throw my opponent off a bit.

 

[thedirtybadger]

You should read Mark Hatmakers stuff about this, he talks alot about how the old school pre jab and pre glove boxing was and suggest that you use your more cordinated, even if it is the power hand, as your lead.

yes, noticed it in the striking book of his too, should have mentioned that in the post. That seemed to be the basis for the idea that i learn to be a southpaw.

His submissions book is top notch, about a week after i got it i was unbeatable in sparring.