Strong Side Forward

[Jay]

Now in JKD there is an interesting concept of when entering your guard your strong hand should be at the front of that guard. Of course we train to be good with both left and right leads but most often we will go with the strong side forward. Bruce Lee decided he wanted his lead hand to be as strong as his rear.

So the theory is you have 2 heavy guns rather than one light weapon and one insanely strong weapon.

What does everyone think of this theory? It was based on the idea that to intercept your lead hand is closer and should be the primary striking weapon, so it may as well be strong.

[MasterPain]

I like the strong side forward, largely because it makes my takedowns and transition into clinch easier.

Also, my left hand is uncoordinated and best left in the back to protect my jaw.

[ShoriKid]

I started strong side forward because my right hand was so weak to start with. I've adapted to switch out, but I'm still better strong side in the lead. Which makes that left hand lead a lot stronger than most people expect. Which is good with me.

So my stronger, faster, more coordinated hand is in the lead. Not that out of line with a couple of older generation karate men, as I have discovered.

[JusticeZero]

Seems reasonable enough - though I can't speak to it personally since our base is symmetrical.

[luca61]

Personally, I like the concept of the strong side forward. However, when sparring in the JKD classes under the adrenaline and heat of the fight I saw many people reverse the the old stance. I guess the old habits are difficult o break

[Wastelander]

I switch back and forth, but I tend to favor strong-side forward (right side, for me). My right hand is faster than my left and, even though I train both sides, it is also stronger than my left. This means that I have a seriously mean jab/backfist/ridgehand/lead hook and I have more body weight available to put into my weaker, slower hand to make up for its deficiencies. So I guess I'm saying that yes, I do follow the same principle that Bruce Lee laid out--I just don't do it all the time. Sometimes I like to have the most powerful punch possible, and that's going to be weak-side forward.

[JCavin]

After years of muay thai, I dunno if i'll ever be as comfortable with my right side forward.

I think the best i'll be able to manage is a symmetrical stance.

[DWx]

Most TKD guys will go strong side forward. Our philosophy is that you want to disable them as quickly as possible with as few strikes as possible so strong side leading because then your opponent is coming in onto your strong side as they close the distance and you can just pick them off.

[sensei8]

I'm not a fan of strong side forward. I do see its many pros, but I also see its many cons as well. Imho, a martial artist must be ambidextrous across the board if at all possible.

Depending on one side over the other has a tendency for the weak side to remain that weak side; this, imho, this can be a mistake for any martial artist who has full usage of all limbs!!

[Wastelander]

I'm not a fan of strong side forward. I do see its many pros, but I also see its many cons as well. Imho, a martial artist must be ambidextrous across the board if at all possible.

Depending on one side over the other has a tendency for the weak side to remain that weak side; this, imho, this can be a mistake for any martial artist who has full usage of all limbs!!

I tend to find that when I spar with my strong side forward I have two problems--primarily I get drilled in the liver, which is not fun at all. The other weakness is that it leaves me very open to my opponent's strong-side strikes, but I tend to do well enough defending that unless I'm sparring my Sensei or another blackbelt of similar experience to him.