advantage to being a southpaw???

[cfr]

Ive been @ a particular school for a year now. A combination of Muay Thai, JKD, and FMA. I like it alot. But it will still be another year and a half till I can spar. Long story, thats just the way he does it. Anyways, Im pretty good at and like the Muay Thai part of it so I was think of going to a real MT school. Now heres my dilema. Im left handed. So by default, I fight with my left leg back. But at the school Ive been at for the last year, we fight with our strong side forward. Meaning Ive been training like a right handed person for the last year. (right leg back) So, now that Im going to just an MT school, should I switch back to southpaw stance? I dont really want to cause its a pain, but will I be missing out of being a southpaw in MT? Are there any advantages to it. Its taken alot of work, but my right cross is probably almost as powerful now as my left was. Plus Ive got a stong left jab because of it being my strong hand. So, do you more experienced MT guys think I would have an edge if I went back to fighting with my left leg back? Would it not matter? Be a disadvantage?

[Ikken Hisatsu]

it can be an advantage. I am a southpaw myself. basically, the biggest advantage is that most guys wont have much experience against southpaws. the basic jab cross hook, the hook comes from the "wrong" side which I have caught a few people with. however your back leg is so far away from them roundhouse kicks are a bit easier to spot. not so much of a problem if you're cro cop but for us mere mortals it can be a bugger. but if you have been training as an orthodox for so long you might as well keep it because you will have other advantages- such as a jab that does more than just set other attacks up- and you are used to it. very hard to get used to fighting in the opposite stance.

[Morkul]

I've always fought Southpaw. Comes from the JKD stuff. I like it for my MT. Like what was said already, it kinda catches people off guard.

[gregimotis]

I am a Southpaw who spent the first couple years training orthodox (Muay Thai and boxing).

When I originally decided to switch, I thought I would be able to learn to work both. If this is in your mind, forget it. Trying to do both left and right gets you not very good at either, because you tend to forget which stance your in.
It took me about a month to get comfortable with unorthodox, but once I did I liked it quite a lot better. The obvious reason is also the best one: it tends to mess up the other guys game when his angles are wrong. Better fighters adapt pretty well, but some people don't even notice what's wrong for several minutes.
Here are a couple southpaw 'tricks':

Your lead hand and foot are closer to the opponent than he is used to. Often you can just reach over his glove for a jab. Or reach around it for a hook. Or lead leg kick the thigh - no set-up needed.

Its easier to see a rear leg kick coming in - practice shin blocks and you'll catch guys often. It's easier to kick the inside of the lead thigh - Set it up with a left slap or hook.

Also, countering right kicks with a step forward and left cross or cut-kick sets up well.


Of course, the other guy can use these on you as well, but usually you have practiced it, and he has not. He is adapting to your style, which can't be bad for you.


So, It's up to you, really. I like working Southpaw even though I used to think I liked orthodox - just like you I thought my strong jab was good, but now my strong left cross is good, Plus I have the benefit of surprise.

[gregimotis]

Disclaimer for my previous post:


I don't mean to suggest that the lefty has a huge advantage. He is a little different and therefore upsetting to righties, but not so upsetting that you can overcome a superior fighter just by being southpaw. Like anything, how much you practice your technique will determine your actual effectiveness.