[eaglewrestler27]

Alright quick background... i wrestled for 5 years and always had my right leg forward for takedowns and i'm better w/ the sprawl as well right forward. Then i take up muay thai for about 4 years and only train orthodox. Also I surf, skateboard, and wakeboard in a goofy stance (right leg forward) even though i'm right handed....

Well i was messing around the other day with southpaw and it didn't feel to bad. Here's my reasons for wanting to switch.

1. I plan to compete in mma and having a good sprawl and being able to apply takedowns when i need to: i want my right leg forward.

2. I'm about 5'7 and 155lbs... i want to primarily fight on the inside, wouldn't being a southpaw put me in the pocket better/faster?

3. I love to kick... and plan to add kyokushin to my muay thai and boxing training. Wouldn't it be better to have my strongest leg (my right one) forward in order to quickly low kick my opponents lead leg. Also I'm messing around w/ spinning kicks and hook kicks, i think a strong lead leg works better for this

So that's the basics, any thoughts on how well this will work? Also, besides just sparring and mitt work is there anything i should do to get my southpaw stance up and running sooner?

Thanks

[fightingrabbit]

Originally Posted by eaglewrestler27

So that's the basics, any thoughts on how well this will work? Also, besides just sparring and mitt work is there anything i should do to get my southpaw stance up and running sooner?

Anything you should do to get your southpaw stance up and running? Yes.

Meditation, A healthy diet of eggrolls, Maybe get a job as a southpaw at your local store.

[eaglewrestler27]

Originally Posted by fightingrabbit

Anything you should do to get your southpaw stance up and running? Yes.

Meditation, A healthy diet of eggrolls, Maybe get a job as a southpaw at your local store.

Hmmm... I'll start eating eggrolls w/ my right leg forward, but i hear they discriminate against lefties in the work force. Thanks for the insight though.

[Jubacat]

You better work on your cross.

[eaglewrestler27]

Originally Posted by Jubacat

You better work on your cross.

Yeah, that's one concern i have is developing power in my left hand. On the plus side i get most of my power shots from kicks, which puts my right leg forward for. Also I think it will help me get inside sooner, which i need to do being slightly shorter 5'7.

Also on the topic of the cross I hear southpaws are susceptible to them from an orthodox fight if not careful:

-- Beware The Right Cross --

A southpaw's biggest concern -- as far as the opponent's boxing weapons -- is the right cross. Southpaws are susceptible to the right cross more than any other punch. This relates to the earlier tip on staying outside his lead foot. There are many ways to defeat a right cross, depending on a number of variables: your reach and height relative to his, timing, range, types of movement, which weapons you stress in your arsenal, etc. In general, you want to watch your range. Some fighters will be gutsy about throwing their cross if they are confident in landing it. *You* initiate the combinations. Set his weight on his back foot, so he can't throw a short counter cross as you're coming in, etc. Make him adjust to *your* timing. Keep him very occupied with your lead hand. This can vary from jabs, feints, lead straights, etc.

When he does throw the right cross, make him reach with it. Do not be cowed into backing up when he throws it. Pounce on him. Learn to throw sharp counter combinations as he is overextended after throwing the cross. One of a boxer's biggest dilemmas when facing another man who can box is knowing when to let the cross go. It's the gutsiest punch in boxing.

Do not allow him to back you up in setting up his right cross. That is his best time to land it.

[Jubacat]

You are right on both issues.

The reason you want a good cross is if someone slips your jab and your cross is weak, you are in trouble.

[fightingrabbit]

Originally Posted by eaglewrestler27

Also on the topic of the cross I hear southpaws are susceptible to them from an orthodox fight if not careful:

orthodox fighters are just as open to the right.

[eaglewrestler27]

Originally Posted by fightingrabbit

orthodox fighters are just as open to the right.

Well if i understand right when you are facing an orthodox lead as a southpaw, you want to place your lead foot outside his lead foot. That is, your right foot should be outside his left. Now he can't line up his cross, but he's right in the firing line of yours.

As a general habit, you want to keep circling outside that lead foot of his. This would be to your right. Stay active with your lead hand. Watch for him to replace his lead foot and set up his cross. As he goes to move his foot, let your cross go before he plants that foot and you'll catch him.

Sound about right?

[Palakol]

double post.

[Palakol]

i'm a relatively short, right-handed guy, who is a southpaw. i noticed that the distance is always awkward. you have to dash in and out. i think matching stances are better for in-fighting and toe-to-toe bashing. i.e. mike tyson, one of the best in-fighters in boxing, is left-handed, but fights orthodox.