Switching Leads

[Teck Loh]

As part of my training, I have been practising from both my right and left leads. If I remember correctly, some of the JKD instructors I trained with teaches that too.

Anyway, I have been training with this Savate guy and I noticed that Savate has lead leg kicks like JKD. But he doesn't seem to like the idea of practising from both leads. Doesn't it makes sense to practice both leads if your style has lead leg attacks?

[cfr]

I suppose theres two schools of thought on this one.

1; Practice both sides so you will be familiar with both.
2; Get really good on one side.

Other people may have other take also I guess. IMO, Id go for #2. The reason being that in JKD the training is with the strong side forward anyways. (opposite of what comes naturally.) Therefore, if I ever had to throw 1 or 2 punches from whats really more natural to me anyways, Id probably do OK long enough to get back to how I train.

[Arron Grammond]

This is what I try to make work for me, for you it might be completly different.

I understand the idea of focusing on one lead and mastering it to perfection, I also commend you for the comitment to doing that.

In application though the "Ready Stance" is not realy a starting point for fighting and your oppoent might not LET you get set up for your strong side lead. I often find that in training both sides I get to confound my oppoent more and it changes what THEY do to compensate for it.

I think of it as being a switch hitter, sure I'm better at knocking in a homer from one side than the other and I try to keep that power up, but I also can flip it over and it forces the opponents to scramble to counter me. If i can perform well both sides then I think I have and edge and less limitation on what I can do.

Some movements are easier with mirrored as opposed to match leads. It shows up a little in a class where certain people have differnt strong side leads, but its really evident when your switching durring training or sparring.

This is what I think often needs more work. What happens if the 1 mastered move you have doesn't have the effect you hoped? What followups are there? Many times its the followups that are more important than the initial contact, that might even miss. Are you avoiding the HollyWood pause and flowing into followups?

Not saying your doing anything wrong, just that this is my view. Do what works for you and do it well. I'm only offering an alternative view.

Now it needs to be observed that I write with both hands, shoot with both hands or cut with scissors in both hands at the same time pretty well. I prefer 2 sticks or 2 blades at the same time also.

So I'm pretty well screwed up to begin with...lol

[Arron Grammond]

Well crap, it almost sounds like Joe is agreeing with me... :shock:
I might just have to reevaluate my thoughts on this... :wink:

[Jared Davis]

just commenting on this with my own experience, i agree with training both sides

however, i am glad that i am right handed, and that i fight "southpaw", as in most fighters i have fought against usually fight left strong side, in which this case they dont practice much against, giving me a slight advantage in some cases :)

[john]

For what its worth I train both sides/leads. What happens if you get injured in a fight? not the time to start practicing the other lead is it?

Why switch up/round etc when you can just hit?