Trainee

I just started Muay Thai and my instructor told me that you shouldn't switch legs. For example, if you have your left leg in the front and your right in the back (the right-handed stance), you should never change it to be the other way around. Is this smart? I would think that you should be able to adapt to the situation and change it if you feel the need...

(Keep in mind that my instructor knows Karate as well and he grew up and learned Muay Thai in Thailand. So he's not an idiot, lol.)

Any thoughts?

Onganju

That's kind of interesting... He didn't give you any further reasoning why? Off the top of my head, there are a few reasons you might want to avoid switching leads:

1) If you are attacked with a Teep kick while switching leads, your base will be compromised and that can lead to a knock down.

2) If you are attacked with a leg kick while switching leads, you cannot check the kick fully or correctly. This leads to either eating the kick fully, or having your supporting leg being swept if the attacker continues through on their kick.

3) The same applies with a mid-kick, as you won't have an established base to just raise a leg and shield your midsection.

In more "modern" approaches toward striking, it is encouraged to train the off-hand lead to the point that you will be comfortable in the event that you get spun or step out into that lead for a moment. Also, you wouldn't deliberately switch leads unless you are completely outside of your opponent's attacking range.

Keeping in mind that you just started Muay Thai, I would definitely just concentrate on getting comfortable in the stance that you naturally "fall into." After a few rounds, it should be more obvious which side you favor (whether that be Orthodox or South Paw). Stick with getting comfortable with your techniques on that side first before you start messing with stance. It may seem minor, but messing with your stance does make a difference.

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Trainee

Thanks Onganju.
Well, it was my first class, so I'm guessing he didn't want to go into detail. All I learned that day was that stance, and how to do a proper Muay Thai roundhouse (which was sort of difficult because it's a lot different than Karate roundhouses).
I'm having my second class later today, I'll ask him a bit more about it. Thanks again man, I appreciate it.

AdRath

My guess is that he didn't want to complicate things till you mastered one stance and technique with that stance. Obviously you would want to master your stronger side first before getting into more stuff. If you notice a lot of top kickboxers switch stances to throw off their opponent but until you are at that level it is one less thing to think about.

SuzukS

So.. How's your Muay Thai going nowdays?

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jcal

probably your instructor is teaching you traditional muaythai. With your weight over your front leg and a slow rocking motion, hands real high palms facing your opponent. It is a good foundation but if you are gonna start mma you need to lower your stance. I trained thai for many years and when I started shootfighting i had to throw alot of traditional thai out the window. But it is a great foundation especially for conditioning and kicking. Anyway keep kicking those pads and you will develope power that you cannot believe.

[[ Bapehead ]]

^^^
being a beginner in Muay Thai since last week, I can vouch for what he just said.
already in a week i've been able to notice the strength of my kicks. practicing the basics for now will definitely give great results.

Born to Suffer

i've was tought the same way but after a while he will prolly teach how to change to south paw if he's a good Kru . It's ussualy in a triangle motion from your right stance with your left foot out . move your left foot back as if you were standing up straight and replace it with yer right in triangle..that way you can keep yer balance if you get kicked ..