This is a bit of a follow up on Damage Control MMA the other day on how to develop power and coordination with you weak hand I thought I’d do another post about the traditional stance assumed by left and right handers.
Traditionally, in boxing, it is right handers that use the orthodox stance with the power hand being at the rear and the weaker lead hand used for jabs and hooks, and of course vice versa for left handed people.
I am a bit different in that regard as I am right handed and like to assume the southpaw stance. I had a discussion at training one night with someone telling me that I should use the orthodox stance. I explained to them that I naturally shape up that way but I do like to practice and spar both ways.
In a southpaw stance I have more control and power in my jab and hook and what I lack in strength and coordination with my left hand I make up for with leverage and distance. This is something that I learned from Bruce Lee and my study of numerous books on Jeet Kune Do, Bruce’s own personal expression of martial arts.
Incidentally, Bruce was also a right hander who shaped up in the southpaw stance. Alot of his boxing principles were borrowed from Wing Chun Kung Fu and fencing, which both use the lead hand as the main ‘power weapon’ compared to boxing which use the lead hand as set up for the power rear hand. I think it is pretty evident that one can generate enormous power with the lead hand using proper leverage and technique as his famous one inch punch demonstrates.
Bruce Lee also used to say that you should train both stances and this is a good way to mix things up when sparring or even in competition when you start running out of techniques and need to confuse your opponent a little bit.
Of course, in the street, you should always use your most comfortable stance and most effective techniques to protect yourself. I would say that in a competition too that if you are dominating your opponent (but just can’t seem to put them away 
and need to mix up your attacks then changing stance could give you the fresh perspective you need, but only if you feel confident enough in your ability. If its a close fight and the other guy is pretty tough, perhaps switching stance may not be the best idea. It may open up opportunities for you, but it may also open up opportunities for your opponent too.
After doing a bit of research for this post on the internet the other night I came across an article on Wikipedia which mentioned the benefits of having your power hand at the front and being able to switch stances in boxing.
It also mentioned that in mma and wrestling, wrestlers like to have the favored leg forward to assist them with explosiveness in their takedowns.
Many of the striking techniques in MMA are Muay Thai oriented and their kicking attacks concentrate mainly on the front leg. This can take alot of steam out of your attacks if it is your ‘good’ leg they are kicking the crap out of.
Check out that article here….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southpaw_stance
