Training a southpaw from scratch....

[brown bomber]

I'm training a southpaw from beginner for the first time. He is at an advanced age but is hoping to compete. I was wondering if any DECENT southpaws or trainers could give me some tips or findings.

I understand that being a southpaw is largely about taking advantage of the angles presented by an orthadox fighter. Any tips?

[achillesthegreat]

Convert that mother ****er now!

[brown bomber]

Originally Posted by achillesthegreat

Convert that mother ****er now!

Not my choice mate, training him with someone else who runs the gym. Don't think its a wise move at all but unfotunately not my gym, or my call. He'd be better served been coached as an orthadox fighter, he's wanting to fight within 12 months so there is zero chance of him picking up those old tricks southpaws have. Ah well- maybe i'm wrong.

[scrap]

Jeff its a funny one, theres been some great fighters who have changed around. I always ask, how good could they have been left alone. Hagler and Dela Hoya 2 who come to mind always had trouble with fast movers. Reason being its all in the eyes. Most of the Peritharal vision comes from the dominant eye, the lesser eye is more short sighted. Plus theres the shoulder to think about christ everything to do with Biomechanics is a reason not to change but people have and been succesfull. One or two of mine could switch, but there was an underlying injury that caused it to be that way they cant perform naturely, its all to do with the Oral cavity

[brown bomber]

Originally Posted by scrap

Jeff its a funny one, theres been some great fighters who have changed around. I always ask, how good could they have been left alone. Hagler and Dela Hoya 2 who come to mind always had trouble with fast movers. Reason being its all in the eyes. Most of the Peritharal vision comes from the dominant eye, the lesser eye is more short sighted. Plus theres the shoulder to think about christ everything to do with Biomechanics is a reason not to change but people have and been succesfull. One or two of mine could switch, but there was an underlying injury that caused it to be that way they cant perform naturely, its all to do with the Oral cavity

Cheers mate, do you have any good tips regarding blocking effectively etc? I know how to do everything perfect orthadox- or at least the resoning behind it but i'm going to struggle southpaw as I'm not one.

[scrap]

Ill ring or pm you

[brown bomber]

Originally Posted by scrap

Ill ring or pm you

Cheers mate- u got my number? Much appreciated.

[RDJ]

Oh so you're training southpaws now. Nice move man. I thought we could trust you but apparently I was wrong.

[RDJ]

On a serious note, I think the biggest difference when fighting southpaws is the change in distance and the default angle they attack from. I used to have trouble with their jab, and my punches would miss because I was not controlling the distance. Stepping around or between their feet depending on what you are trying to land / avoid enabled me to correct that difference. The right hand jab is something you simply get used to. So if I were to train a southpaw (which I do not because I am not a trainer) I would exploit these things.

[Jennifer Love Hewitt]

You train a southpaw the same way you train an orthadox fighter, except you switch the hands. The adjustments will come when they get more advanced.
You don't take a newbie right handed fighter and start talking about "tricks" and strategy. You teach them how to stand, move, punch. The same it is for a left handed fighter. Once they master the basics, you can then impart the wisdom on which way to move, what punches work best, etc.

[Starched Him]

Look at Zab judah left sneak upercut
make sure you add that and get him to throw it in the same angles, That has to bother anybody.
lol i cant help

[achillesthegreat]

Originally Posted by jeff thomas

Not my choice mate, training him with someone else who runs the gym. Don't think its a wise move at all but unfotunately not my gym, or my call. He'd be better served been coached as an orthadox fighter, he's wanting to fight within 12 months so there is zero chance of him picking up those old tricks southpaws have. Ah well- maybe i'm wrong.

We definitely need to eliminate this other coach.

[Bodi]

Getting the basic punch mechanics, stance etc down is the first priority Jeff, as stated above.

For guard, from my own preference is to hold the left hand high, just next to the temple. Right elbow in tight (ish) to the body and the right hand just below chin level. Many southpaws fall into the trap of using the 'earmuffs' defense and this usually brings one of two problems - they either have to square up to see punches coming, which opens up a wealth of opportunities for the opponent to unload, as well as limiting their own attacking options, or they don't square up which limits their vision.

Range is also a major player with a southpaw, and much of how you coach will depend on the fighters physical size, athleticism etc.

Angles - very basic... just don't stand right in front of the opponent, you will already know to keep the right foot outside of the opponents left where possible. If find that if i'm firing off a 1-2 for example, step 'outside' slightly as you throw the 2 - this limits the opponents ability to counter effectively and presents your fighter with a wealth of options both offensively, and defensively.

Hope this helps.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by Bodi

Getting the basic punch mechanics, stance etc down is the first priority Jeff, as stated above.

For guard, from my own preference is to hold the left hand high, just next to the temple. Right elbow in tight (ish) to the body and the right hand just below chin level. Many southpaws fall into the trap of using the 'earmuffs' defense and this usually brings one of two problems - they either have to square up to see punches coming, which opens up a wealth of opportunities for the opponent to unload, as well as limiting their own attacking options, or they don't square up which limits their vision.

Range is also a major player with a southpaw, and much of how you coach will depend on the fighters physical size, athleticism etc.

Angles - very basic... just don't stand right in front of the opponent, you will already know to keep the right foot outside of the opponents left where possible. If find that if i'm firing off a 1-2 for example, step 'outside' slightly as you throw the 2 - this limits the opponents ability to counter effectively and presents your fighter with a wealth of options both offensively, and defensively.

Hope this helps.

I like to throw a quick one two followed by a right hook, then you turn your opponent to your left and step out with you back foot to the right, its really is great for fighting outside. As part of training in karate we had to learn to do both sides orthodox and southpaw and its helping me now to switch back and forth when I want to.

[Youngblood]

Ya Scrap helped me sort through the issue if I was maybe a southie taught to fight ortho, as it was by far my dominant punching side (atleast then) making me question if I had been fighting wrong all along. Plus kept wantin to switch up all the time. Just a quick test sorted it for me, regarding eye dominance, and help me put that to rest.

So less focus on switching now, or worrying if I was doing it wrong all this time, and been sticking strictly to ortho for fights, and just working on improving my right. Been a big help.