Anyone NOT a tactical switch hitter but does serious southpaw training?

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by McGrain, Sep 3, 2009.


  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Or if you're a southpaw, do you do any serious orthodox traing?

    Mainly from the point of view of body mechanics and adaptability, but also to perfect balance? If so, what kind of impact has this had upon your boxing?

    I'm not talking about occasionally leading backwards for fun, rather jabbing, hooking, working on stance and mobility etc. from the opposite stance to your natural.
     
  2. Kolya

    Kolya Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I do it, I more do it to be more versatile though and be able to do something differently if someone's giving me a hard time when I'm orthodox.
     
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Kolya, did you find it improved your balance at all?

    Also, did you slip into southpaw naturally on any occasions? That is, rather than deciding "i'll switch southpaw to try to get outside his left (or whatever) did you ever find yourself naturally turning southpaw when circumstances favoured it?

    Let's say, as an example, you're at the ropes and a guy throws a left hook which you block and he loses his balance and steps towards the ropes and to your right, your best punches are now right jab, straight left - would those punches come naturally to you from that stance? Or would it be a conscious switch?
     
  4. Goose

    Goose Russian oligarch Full Member

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    not boxing but karate, switching from southpaw to orthodox and back is part of the game, if you know how to do it well and at the right times you have an offensive advantage....but you better be good defensively as well
     
  5. BramptonBomber

    BramptonBomber New Member Full Member

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    we did it ALOT in muay thai.

    I use it quite a bit in boxing. its a bad habit I have to stop.
     
  6. lefty

    lefty Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think it's beneficial only if you really understand the mechanics of your body and boxing so you don't create bad habits, for most people i wouldn't suggest it. I'm ambidextrous and athletic so i practice everything with both hands and feet in different sports and it works well for me
     
  7. brown bomber

    brown bomber 2010 Poster of the Year Full Member

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    I'm retired now but in sparring I do it all the time. Never did when I boxed but have found its not too difficult. The angle of punches coming towards me is a bit tricky but my left hook was always my best shot and when i'm southpaw i'm certain my straight left is a KO shot and my right hook aint bad either.
     
  8. HairyHighlander

    HairyHighlander BASS !! HOWLOWCANUGO ?? Full Member

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    Im a left handed orthodox and we sometimes do a cpl rounds on pads southpaw( if your orthodox ) and the more i do it and not think it feels wrong and actually concentrate on it, it feels rather comfortable.

    To the extent i ask myself should i have been S/paw many moons ago when first starting out.

    Another factor is, i rarely use my right hand when orthodox, not a lot anyways, i have never felt my punches are natural.

    That may be down to the amount of output coming from my left, always piston, be it range finding, finishing a combo with left for cover etc.

    My feet feel very ok when i am s/paw.
     
  9. SouthpawSlayer

    SouthpawSlayer Im coming for you Full Member

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    i prefer fighting as a southpaw but never do it in a competitive fight, for me it feels more natural than fighting orthodox, im right handed and fight as a righty but really think i was supposed to be a southpaw, hence the username!!! when i practise as a southpaw my fluidity is far greater but im obviously a better orthodoox fighter from years of fighting that way
     
  10. Pugsley

    Pugsley Fat Bastard Full Member

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    Its really hard to gauge that. I know esp cause I'm right handed, that my usual stance, Southpaw has an effective hook/jab and its more suitable to fight using full guard since most of the stabbing comes from the lead right. The left hand always stays UP because of the orthodox's cross, and the only good shot coming from my left is a cross or low cross, or low hook, NEVER a high hook, and I've seen no return from throwing a left uppercut.

    But then it changes, because when in orthodox, my right hand coordination is superior and it becomes the 'skill' hand that wont be used to jab for jab, but becomes extremely useful as the parry in half guard. I can get away with throwing a lead cross. My right leg is also dominant, so in orthodox I can fight off the back foot. Also, the right uppercut (far superior to my left) is sharper, more accurate and in control. But due to the left foot being poor in control, my step-in is undertrained.

    Flip it around and I cant do the same tricks in southpaw. I think the brain also interprets your movement and coordination differently. The angles are different, the line of attack and preferred hand have to operate differently as far as range and sensing, so training to be two fighters is very difficult.

    It would be cool if you could master both though.
     
  11. Kolya

    Kolya Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It becomes natural. There's times I'll actually throw punches to change stance, like lead with a right hand and end up squaring up (bad form) but then launch a straight left off of it. If nothing else, I have a fast straight left. :lol: And I feel it has helped my balance and coordination. Being pretty tall and awkward, I need all the help with my balance and coordination I can get.
     
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    You wouldn't suggest switch hitting in a fight? Or training as a southpaw? What do you think the negatives of mirrored-training would be?
     
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Excellent, cheers.

    It's like sometimes you find yourself taking an extra step or a big step where you wouldn't want to, say, and actually, if you could fluidly switch - i'm not talking about punching now, just positioning and footwork - you could maintain balance. Do you think that's a fair observation?
     
  14. Kolya

    Kolya Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I was about to say, is that Carlos in your avatar? Is that his wife he practiced the caber toss with?
     
  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    :good