Southpaw Advantage: The prevalence of southpaws in MMA and other combat sports has lately increased. Many right-handed athletes are adopting a southpaw posture in order to benefit from the southpaw advantage in their contests. The southpaw typically has more options and angles available to him in a bout against an orthodox opponent. The southpaw edge is referred to as this.
The Southpaw Advantage: How to Use It in Martial Arts?
Closed Stance Vs Open Stance
One of the primary benefits of being a southpaw in martial arts is understanding the open stance matchup. Most combatants adopt the orthodox position and only train against opponents who adopt the same stance. Each fighter therefore assumes a close stance, with their lead side guarding their centerline from their opponent’s rear side, also known as the power side. In a closed stance game, you need to get past your opponent’s lead side in order to land anything from your backside.
A battle with an open stance is quite different since both combatants effectively stand in the opposite direction of one another. Due in part to the centerlines of both fighters being more exposed, this creates a situation where both fighters are vulnerable to the rear/power side of their opponent. Due to their experience competing against Northodox opponents, Southpaws have a better grasp of the open stance matchup.
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Outside Angle
When using a southpaw strike from an open stance, there are various uncommon situations and opportunities. A southpaw’s main objective is to set up their backside so they may attack their opponent’s centerline. To do this, move your lead foot away from your opponent’s lead foot. The outside angle is when your back is properly lined up with the centerline and the gap between your opponent’s hands. Utilise your bottom to attack from this angle with deadly strength.
THE GIGA KICK! Giga Chikadze: Kickboxing Edition
A left roundhouse to the opponent’s liver known as the “Giga kick” is another move used by Giga Chikadze, a southpaw. He steps his lead leg outside of his opponent’s lead leg, just like Tawanchai, and then unleashes a powerful kick into his body. As a southpaw, you may maintain your position in the middle of the ring while avoiding your opponent’s blows and counterpunches by using a power kick from your left side.
Manny Pacquiao Split Entry Punch
Manny Pacquiao frequently exploited the outside position to hit his renowned split entry cross, despite not being an MMA fighter. Pacquiao would pace his opponents’ jabs and run to their outside while simultaneously delivering his cross. Despite being uncommon, MMA can benefit from this similar strategy.
Inside Angle
For southpaws, the inside angle is a considerably more sophisticated idea. The outside angle can be challenging to accomplish since both combatants will seek it, but it offers a southpaw fighter far greater protection against their opponent’s punches. By placing your lead foot on the inside of your opponent’s lead foot, you are using the inside angle. An uppercase T should be produced if a line were drawn between your opponent’s feet and your own feet. As the southpaw, you are now in a position to use your lead side to unleash powerful blows on your opponent’s centerline.
In order to go around your opponent’s protection, you may also land powerful blows from behind to their right side. The insider’s perspective can be effective, but there are inherent dangers as well. The most significant of them is your opponent’s power side; when taking the inside angle, you must temporarily align yourself with your opponent’s power side attacks. If you can foresee this and block or slip their strike, leaving them exposed to whatever you want to hurl at them, the risk is worthwhile. The MMA competitor who makes the most use of the inside angle is Connor “Notorious” McGregor.
His trademark left-hand counter frequently follows a right-hand slip by his opponent while going to the inner angle. Due to the outside angle’s dominating nature, this may seem counterintuitive, yet it allows Connor to deliver his powerful blows without having to contend with the outside position. Allowing your opponent to adopt the outside angle immediately gives you the inner angle as a southpaw. You will be able to respond to their rear-end punch or kick just like Connor McGregor if you are prepared to cope with it.
Rolly Romero gets defeated by Gervonta Davis’ devastating left hand.
The boxers Gervonta Davis and Vasily Lomachenko provide two examples of how efficient the inside angle is in landing powerful blows. Similar to Connor Mcgregor, both of these fighters exploit the inside angle to slip their opponent’s rear and counter with their own.
Lomachenko Inside Angle
Any southpaw can use the inner and outside angles effectively, and mastering their application can boost your southpaw edge.
Southpaw Drills And Combos
Here are some exercises to assist you in developing muscle memory as a southpaw now that we are familiar with the outside and inside angles. This first one will get you acclimated to sliding shots in both directions and is a simple pad workflow exercise. Here is a summary of how the drill works.
- Jab – Slip Outside – Lead Upper – Cross – Lead Hook – Pull – Lead Hook – Cross – Slip Inside- Cross – Lead Hook – Rear Overhan
If you are familiar with the punch number system, you might also say:
- 1 – 2 – Slip Outside – 5 – 2 – 3 – Pull – 3 – 2 – Slip Inside – 2 – 3 – 8
Open Stance Attack For MMA!
This second exercise may be performed in shadowboxing or with a partner. In this exercise, you’ll concentrate on closing the distance swiftly and avoiding the “danger zone,” where your opponent might retaliate with fully extended power punches. The aim is to stride with your back leg towards your lead leg while throwing a jab or cross from the southpaw. After that, you push off your back leg to begin a strong jab-cross combo. You may sneak into position and fling yourself across the opening before your opponent notices by taking the first step with your back leg.
The following exercise combines taking the outside angle and kicking. It may be worked on while shadowboxing or with a partner. You launch a left body kick first while dodging your opponent’s jab. Then you step back and rotate to the outside before throwing a lead deep. In order to finish the move, you elevate your left leg in an attempt to fake another body kick before launching into a left Superman punch.
The southpaw advantage is a potent idea that may advance your martial arts skills. The more you put these exercises to use and apply these concepts to your own training, the more your talents will advance.
Here is how to use The Southpaw Advantage in Martial Arts. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
