Power hand lead...

Roper

This is a question which MMA guys will probably be more familiar with, but anyone should feel free to comment on any other discipline.

Do you advocate a power hand lead when there is a danger of a takedown? Could a southie potentially do a little more damage with the lead hand since you're not really going to get to let go that much with the rear hand in an MMA match as much as in a boxing/kickboxing match for fear of losing base/exposing yourself to clinch or takedown?

Anyone else from other disciplines, do you lead with your power side or weak side? Why and how does it benefit you in your art?

Clive

I don´t know of anyone who fights with their power hand forward.

Colm_OReilly

We were always told to learn wrestling with the power side back, so you don't switch leads before a shoot, telegraphing your intent. I never thought of it from the stand up point of view before.

If we look at the top strikers, they all have their power hand back, they've widened their stance and keep their hips further back when throwing shots to accomodate for the threat of the takedown.

Roper

Clive wrote:

I don´t know of anyone who fights with their power hand forward.

I know a couple, not MMA though. I know a kickboxer who fights off his front leg cos he reckons it gives him a better arsenal ie. his bad leg generates more power therefore giving him two weapons.

A different way of looking at it. Wouldn't do it myself though!!

Yeah Colm, that's an interesting point about the wrestling side of things.

Millionaire

Just to give another point of view.

Bruce Lee (see book B lee fighting methods) in JKD , he led with strongest side forward (southie for him, hand and foot). economy of motion, strongest weapon , nearest to attacker.

in this his goal was always street orientated.

horses or courses as usual!!!

polar_bear

I don't know anything about striking but it would seem to me it would depend how bad you're alternative fist/leg was. there would be no point jabbing with your strong side, getting really good hard jabs if you actually couldn't knock the guy over with a good whack from your bad side. but you could jab weakly ish with your bad hand and have your strong one for BADUMPing.

polar_bear

Actually another point,

I don't think Bruce Lee was a fighter. Maybe for self defense it would be better to unlease you're strong side asap and not bother with stances and stuff but in the ring i think ortodox would be best.

Millionaire

polar_bear wrote:

Actually another point,

I don't think Bruce Lee was a fighter. Maybe for self defense it would be better to unlease you're strong side asap and not bother with stances and stuff but in the ring i think ortodox would be best.

bruce lee ( and not the movie crap he did ) was a serious fighter, fought many challenges etc, and a total innovator.

check out his real teaching as I say not the movie stuff (loads a stuf fon the web)

or if you read Tao of Jeet Kune Do my Bruce its all real life orientated.

check it out , its good stuff!

polar_bear

ok sorry i stand corrected but i only study stuff in movie form.

Cake Fiend

Pretty sure modern JKD teaches power hand forward as well. TBH, I'd imagine years of training might negate major differences between the two hands anyway. Hmm, now where did that thread about lefties having a natural advantage in MA go..?

dlofnep

Clive wrote:

I don´t know of anyone who fights with their power hand forward.

I did, partially because I am left legged and right handed. I don't anymore.

Millionaire

dlofnep wrote:

I did, partially because I am left legged and right handed. I don't anymore.

sometimes back when I did alot of kickboxing sparring, I do let leg forward and right hand forward. sounds and looks strange and feels it too. but a wee bit of practice, and no problem, switch into it for short 10 sec pr more period.

can really mess up opponent for a few secs, confusing him, so ya can land da bomb! LOL!.

another thing too.

when I was in thailand, if I did a hook from rear hand, which we did in kickboxing alot, I can still hear me trainer shout " No NO, NO in Muay Thai, NO in Muay Thai!!!"

dlofnep

I can't throw a hook with my lead hand (when it's left). needs alot of work.

Roper

Very few people outside of boxing throw good hooks John, It's a more technical punch than some people give it credit for.

Myself, I can throw the best hook you've ever seen when shadow boxing/doin pads: ), but damn I don't think I've ever landed a good one in a fight!!
Do you box/kickbox at all?