Choosing Sides

[pineapple]

I am right handed and for the longest time, I sparred only one way, with my left foot forward. I realized that it would be advantageous to be able to fight from both stances. I began woking on a heavy bag with my right foot forward concentrating on throwing a power punch with my left hand in order to make me more comfortable in a southpaw stance. Whenever I sparred someone with less skill, I would spar in a southpaw stance.

 

Today I am still more comfortable with my left foot forward but I am able to switch stances during sparring.

 

I feel very comfortable offensively in a southpaw stance, however I lack the defensive skills in this stance. Maybe someone out there can help me with this??

[Kieran-Lilith]

I'm most comfortable with my left side forward, but I do switch sides after the first round. It confuses people.

[traz]

I'm right handed, but I play sports (hockey, baseball, golf) left handed, that is, with my right foot first. When I first started MA, a right-foot-first stance was most natural to me. But my teacher taught a left-foot-first stance, so I have gotten used to fighting like everyone else, so much so that it is my preferred stance. However, I can still fight with my right-foot-first, it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all.

[bushido_man96]

This is a very interesting concept; one I had never really thought of. Thanks for the article!