Training Both the Left and Right Sides of the Body

[JAzze]

For the past 16 weeks I've been supplementing my karate training with a "Pro Kickboxing" class given at the gym where I usually do weight training and cardio. The instructor took a poll at the beginning of class and was happy to find that we were all right handed. All of our training from that point on has been from the orthodox stance (hidari ashi mae), and our instructor has warned us to maintain that stance and to always return to it after delivering a technique.

This got me thinking about why my sensei always stresses the importance of spending equal time in both stances during kihon waza and impact training in the dojo. (And even during sogi, where we're encouraged to clean the floor using both the right and left hands equally.) It really makes a difference! In kickboxing, I notice that I'm more comfortable delivering kicks with the left leg (after a switch) than my pure-kickboxing counterparts.

I'd like to hear from the kickboxers, western boxers, and Muay Thai folks. Do you spend time training from both stances? Have you noticed that your left-right balanced karate training has improved your balance and posture in the other arts? Are there benefits--when preparing for competition--on focusing training on the stance you plan to use?

[SHIDOKANATLANTA]

throwing techniques from both sides is the hardest part. learning to defend from both in boxing and kickboxing is harder. using the karate philosophy of working both sides does help because it's like practicing to write with both hands. of course your dominant side will do better. a lot of boxers/kickboxers can switch up a little, but their dominant side usually stays in back for the power.

[mary222]

i think that working both side is not that important for a boxer because they are not using their leg so their feet stay pretty much always the same. and they work so hard on conbination that their jab vs their power punch must stay on the same side for them to get the right result

[SHIDOKANATLANTA]

the reason is that when punches are coming to your head you are going to fight with the most coordinated side forward and your power side is going to come from the rear. also, when in punching range you won't be switching side to side.

[jcc]

Osu!

I always liked the idea of being able to switch sides. During a tournament, for example, your front leg may get damaged from one too many gedan mawashi geri. It helps then to be able to fight with the other leg in front. Also, fighting southpaw can have advantages against a ´normal´ fighter when using certain combinations.

Osu!

[Kansetsu]

Oddly enough...i'm a Righty...but my Hidari Gedan Mawashi is much better than my Migi. I also can Jab much better with my Right.

Thank gosh for 7 years of Tae Kwon Do!! lol...switching feet and stance was almost forced down our throats.

[MilkManX]

With Karate,Judo,Boxing,Kickboxing I am very comfortable with switching sides. The only time I dont is with Kenjutsu. The Katana is only meant to be held a certain way so it doesnt adhere to a change like that.

[Kansetsu]

Originally Posted by MilkManX

With Karate,Judo,Boxing,Kickboxing I am very comfortable with switching sides. The only time I dont is with Kenjutsu. The Katana is only meant to be held a certain way so it doesnt adhere to a change like that.

OSU!

Actually in Kenjutsu, you can switch sides easily...just you shouldn't change the hand position...

BTW, what Kenjutsu do you do? mine is Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu...

OSU!

[MilkManX]

Originally Posted by MilkManX

With Karate,Judo,Boxing,Kickboxing I am very comfortable with switching sides. The only time I dont is with Kenjutsu. The Katana is only meant to be held a certain way so it doesnt adhere to a change like that.

Yeah its just funky like that.

I studied Shinkendo( a modern rebuild of multiple Kenjutsu arts) from my Judo Sensei here. He learned from Toshihiro Obata who is the founder.

[tmd]

Depends what the question is asking - are we talking about tournament fighting or SD?

I'm guessing it a tournament based question so I'll just say that I'm a lefty and fight Orthodox but am relearning to switch often, this is useful as a way of avoiding mawashigeri gedans, adding significant power to your techs, keeping your opponent guessing where the attacks are going to come from and....It's very useful.

I've heard, it's one of the things boxers and the like don't like about fighting karateka so it must be good.