Need Advise on Kickboxing Stance

[KenJeet]

I hope someone could help me with this or perhaps has experienced the same issue. I currently train in American Kenpo, JKD Concepts and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. But, the majority of my competitive experience has been in point fighting and continous fighting tournaments, which is essentially the same thing except they don't stop you after every point. I have been competing for years in these tournaments and have been extremely succesful. However, I have wanted to start competing in some Full Contact Kickboxing or International Style Kickboxing (leg kicks allowed). Now, here is my dillemma.........In point fighting, I have always used an orthodox stance as well as a southpaw stance. I am constantly switching depending on my opponent and which techniques I feel are stronger from each side. When standing in an orthodox stance, I use my left leg like a boxers jab, to probe and keep the opponent at bay and my right reverse punch or cross. My left leg is my quickest and most accurate when throwing roundhouse and hook kicks to keep an opponent at bay. However, my right leg is my power leg to use for roundhouse kicks to the body and legs. To further complicate things, when feeling insecure against a certain opponent at a tournament, I immediately switch to a southpaw stance because I can better defend with my right hand, I have a quicker jab or backfist with it and can use my strong leg (my right) to sidekick with. I suspect that when I get into kickboxing I can't be switching stances all the time so I'm a bit confused. In addition, I went to the local boxing gym to make sure that my punches are technically correct, and was told by a trainer that I should perhaps use a southpaw stance because he noticed that I can snap out the jab better with my right hand (dominant hand), and my right hook is a lot stronger than my left hook. The only drawback is that my left hand is then the one that I need to use for the cross or supposed power punch. This stance also negates the power of my right leg kicks and probing left foot jab type kicks. As you can see, I have alot of questions. I would really appreciate it if anyone could offer some sound advise.

[mushinmaster]

When fighting full contact (knees and elbows? grabbing and throwing?) power is VERY important. I would train to feel comfortable in the orthodox stance, develop the straight lead with my left, and I wouldn't neccesarily jab with my front foot for fear of it being grabbed.

I know the security of the southpaw during tip-tap fighting - I used to use the same thing. Point fighting is not full contact fighting.

I would def go with the orthodox. If you feel unconfortable with in-fighting, train for it, or close the gap - and knee and elbow.

Remember everybody is different, and what I would do might not be the best thing for you to do.

[resolute]

Stances

Definitely go orthodox stance. You'll LOVE that quick left foot jab, and you want your r. roundhouse loaded for power kicks. Also, you don't need your r. hand for defense in muay thai like you might in Karate, the muaythai defense is very passive and muscle coordination like you might need for karate blocks is not cruicial to technique for Thai defense.
And of course the trainer told you your right jab and cross are better, it's your dominant hand!! Mine are too, but that to me hasn't convinced me to go southpaw. (this is also thai boxing we're talking about, not boxing).
You can always try southpaw now and then in sparring sessions and see how it goes. But it sounds like you are more comfortable orthodox, and you should train everything in that stance.

[tigerking]

yep resolute is right, im orthodox, and if i change to southpaw my right hand is slightly quicker than my left jab in the orthodox. I think you should stick with what is comfortable, but i would not sacrifice a big right hand or your right leg, its good to have that loaded ready to go as well, for either a farewell knee or roundhouse.
But hey its the art of 8 weapons, so its good you have the coordination to swap anyway. Just keep practicing, perhaps you can get more power out of your southpaw options ultimately.
You should still be able to deliver quite a crunching thai roundhouse from a half switch anyway.
best of luck, i think the other guys that have posted here have said it all anyway.