Switch sides during sparring

[johnwang]

What should you do when your opponent switch sides during sparring? What kind of information that you can get from your opponent's behavior like this?

[Darth Rock&Roll]

switch with them.

[Chris McKinley]

Develop the experience not to care one way or the other.

[Juan]

Develop the experience not to care one way or the other.

I concur. This is difficult to do tho. I'm a lefty and HATE fighting other lefties. Also, my teacher has been trying to work on me to be able to switch to orthodox style just so I am able to fight from both sides but it is very awkward for me to fight from a right handed stance.

[Chris McKinley]

I'm also a lefty, but you couldn't tell from my fighting. I started very early on in becoming ambidextrous in terms of fighting, and it's one of the reasons I credit for being somewhat successful back then. I was also training FMA at the same time, and you really don't have a choice but to become ambidextrous in those arts unless you like lots of rattan-shaped bruises.

[johnwang]

Develop the experience not to care one way or the other.

I concur. This is difficult to do tho. I'm a lefty and HATE fighting other lefties. Also, my teacher has been trying to work on me to be able to switch to orthodox style just so I am able to fight from both sides but it is very awkward for me to fight from a right handed stance.

I prefer to develop different skill for different sides. For example if

- both my opponent and I have right side forward (uniform stance), I like to use my back left leg to "sweep" my opponent's right leading leg.
- I have right side forward and my opponent has left side forward (mirror stance), I like to use my right leg to "scoop" my opponent's left leading leg because the distance is too close for me to "sweep".

In other words, I prefer to spend more time to train my left leg for "sweep" and my right leg for "scoop" because in reality I'll never switch sides.

Very few people can shot hand gun with the same accuracy from both hands. Very few fighters are good on both sides. Why your opponent suddenly switches side in the middle of the sparring? He is most likely tired and resting at that moment and this is the best time to charge in and attack.

[I am...]

My training experience has been with a heavy emphasis on ambidextrous development as well, and at this point, I appreciate it very much. In the earlier phases of training, being able to keep the same position relative to the other person in a 1v1 situation can be a great tool for taking some of the variables out of what one needs to respond to, and how as well.

[Ba-men]

What should you do when your opponent switch sides during sparring? What kind of information that you can get from your opponent's behavior like this?

That.... A) that he uncomfortable with your defense.

But.... B) if its combined with feints and attacks... he's looking and searching for info. (at this point one should start to look for telegraphs...if possible.

Bottom line .... develop technical prowess that isn't affected by your opponents stances/power base (i.e. south paw etc...)

[nianfong]

you have to be able to fight on both sides. otherwise you have some clear weaknesses to exploit. my teacher's son said it was obvious when you spar with judoka, because usually they would all only fight one-sided, and usually they'd be "right hand" sided. they would really hate it when you went lefty on them. so much so that they'd usually be thrown.

I am better at different things on each side, but I can at least fight with both . my left hand front is usually more defensive/countering mode. right hand in front is usually more offensive mode.

[Ian]

I spend 2/3 of my time working my weak side.

[wiesiek]

[[Why your opponent suddenly switches side in the middle of the sparring? He is most likely tired and resting at that moment and this is the best time to charge in and attack.

[/quote]

you have be aware that he can be redy to try second sets of attack...

i usually would use my "weaker" side first
then i swich
to better one...

[middleway]

What should you do when your opponent switch sides during sparring?

watch out for the shin kick.

[fisherman]

A couple of years back when I started training the fighting stuff a bit more intensively I noticed that all of the bagua and xingyi forms that I do begin with the left side forward. Maybe the creators had an idea that a larger percentage of the population is right handed? Anyways, I noticed that while I was training all my forms left side forward with my strong side back, I was working applications from the right side forward. Maybe I was doing this because my right hand is more coordinated and is more skilled at grabbing? For the past couple of years it has been interesting feeling out what works better on my left and what works better on my right. What I have noticed is that I prefer to keep my strong side back when in striking range, but when I get in closer to grapple for a throw I prefer to have my other side forward.
All said and done I think that it is important to train things on both side as it provides the opportunity to explore the limitations of your body coordination and make them stronger.

[Wanderingdragon]

Develop the experience not to care one way or the other.

This is absolutely the way to go, changing sides with them simply leads them to set up opportunities in timing. The best way to learn not to let it matter? , always know which of your opponents weapons pose the most clear and present danger.

[johnwang]

Changing side in the middle of the sparring is dangerous. You will always receive a round house kick on your stomach when you do that. In uniform stance, your powerful back leg round house kick can only attack your opponent's back that won't be able to cause much damage. In mirror stance, your powerful back leg round house kick can kick at your opponent's stomach and that will be a good set up for your "entering".