Left-Handed Sparring

[Spartacus Maximus]

The idea of karate(and martial arts in general) is to make the whole body stronger and each limb into powerful defensive weapons. An attack may come from any side and having a weaker side means being open on that side.

This is a serious handicap but it can be changed by training. The usual recommendation is 10/20. Anything done with the right should be practised 10 times more with the left. Everyone has a dominant side, but one must be able to switch at anytime and use whatever side available.

Left dominant individuals might have a slight natural advantage because most people are right-handed and will attack naturally with that side first. This means an attack is much more likely to come to one's left side. Also quite telling is the fact that many kata begin with the left side.

[liger]

The idea of karate(and martial arts in general) is to make the whole body stronger and each limb into powerful defensive weapons. An attack may come from any side and having a weaker side means being open on that side.

This is a serious handicap but it can be changed by training. The usual recommendation is 10/20. Anything done with the right should be practised 10 times more with the left. Everyone has a dominant side, but one must be able to switch at anytime and use whatever side available.

Left dominant individuals might have a slight natural advantage because most people are right-handed and will attack naturally with that side first. This means an attack is much more likely to come to one's left side. Also quite telling is the fact that many kata begin with the left side.

I agree