Should I change my guard to leftie?

[u/nachetb]

Hey, so heres my story.

Ive been doing judo for two years now. I come from a striking background (Kyokushin karate) as a right handed striker (left foot forward). In my first year of judo, having no clue about the sport I spent the whole time mixing grips from left to right, thinking (in my karate mindset) I should be proficient with both. On my second year though, after learning more, I focused on sticking to only one guard, grappling right guard (righ foot forward) and practicing always the same throws.

Ive become much more comfortable with my stance, specially with turn throws and kumikata, but my feet movement still feels akward after years of having my left feet forward. Thing is, I want to learn judo for some years but mainly transition towards MMA long term. I was wondering, if I should relearn judo as a leftie for the sake of making striking/grappling transition eassier in the future or if it doesnt really matter which foot you use for each thing, I havent tried MMA yet and im not proficient in grappling enough to really have an answer, whats your opinion?

[u/efficientjudo]

I always recommend that you stand in the stance most comfortable for you. Which sounds like you should be left in Judo terms.

[u/genfauk]

I had exactly the same problem, came to judo from 30+ years of Wado Ryu. I didn’t even realise what I was doing until someone senior spotted it. Tbh, I changed to right foot forward as you really do want your strong hand doing the work.

[u/[deleted]]

Just avoid doing opposite arms and legs you'll be completely unbalanced.

[u/Rapton1336]

Go with left foot forward

[u/Future_Mushroom_6197]

I think that you should practice the techniques with both sides. Of course one of them will feel more natural and will become your dominant side. But in my opinion it depends on technique. For example my right handed uchi-mata is quite deadly but so is my left morote-seoi-otochi. If you want to continue to MMA or regular competition i will suggest you focus on the techniques that suit you best. If your right throws are better then focus on them, but you should definitely be capable of the left ones.

[u/daleaidenletian]

I think it’s easier to just fight southpaw.

[u/Full_Lifeguard_4127]

In judo, the stance doesn't matter too much. If you have a good training partner, they will also adapt their stance. It's actually great to start early and learn movements on both the left and right sides. This will be beneficial if one day you need to perform the nage no kata to obtain your first dan.

[u/Tijntjuh → u/Full_Lifeguard_4127]

I don't agree with that it doesn't matter, because in randori having your strong leg and hand do the work is beneficial. But absolutely, for kata it is very important to also be able to do them left handed!

[u/scareus]

Personal preference to be honest.

I started learning Judo for Judo's sake Ala Travis Stevens. But I mostly train BJJ and used to wrestle, box, sanshou, Muay Thai all in the Orthodox or conventional stance.

I started learning the throws with the right lead leg and after a year, I converted myself back to what was comfortable. I have had much more success since switching stances.

Now I take the opinion that your "power" leg, whichever that is, should be in the rear. You will have better balance, better lifting power, and more agility. Of course this is just my opinion, but high level wrestling coaches have said similar things (Reece Humphreys).

Also, as you progress your judo you will inevitably develop options for both sides, but they won't necessarily be mirrors.

Just my 2c. Good luck with your journey!

[u/ChristinaBunny]

I always recommend that you stick with righty till sankyu. By then switching grips to leftie will come naturally.

[u/Certain-Sock-7680]

Don’t change. Striking range is longer than grappling range hence you can be left foot forward for striking but as range closes you step forward on the right to clinch.

[u/[deleted]]

One of the revolutionary concepts when Judo was created was the idea of bilateral development - left and right side. You’ll need to throw both right and left hand for your shodan test and, if you’re right handed, adding some left hand attacks will help you in randori and possibly shiai.