Lefty Sword and Board

[Liam_McClung]

So, I'm a lefty who's been fighting almost six months now, and I'm starting to find my niche in the sword and board basics, but I was wondering if their was anyone who has any advice to help use being left-handed to my advantage. I know some of the basic concepts like being an aggressive shieldman, and pairing up with a righty sword and boarder to make sort of a wall, but I was wondering if there was perhaps something I was missing.

[No'Vak]

The search function, its been asked. And answered. By lefties.

[Slagar]

There is a thread on page two, and two threads on page three, of this exact forum. I've posted in all of them, not typing it out again. I highly recommend Glen's lefty-fu video (as posted on page three by ptq). It'll show you how to be an above-average lefty up front, and then hint at how to get beyond that when you're ready.

[Soo Ma Tai]

I highly recommend Glen's lefty-fu video (as posted on page three by ptq). It'll show you how to be an above-average lefty up front, and then hint at how to get beyond that when you're ready.

This ^^
It's the best you'll get without in person instruction.

[Liam_McClung]

****. Sorry guys. TO THE SEARCH BAR!!! *nahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnah LIAM!*

[Mannajax]

Find yourself a good rghty s&ber in your realm. Stand opposite and be his exact mirror as you learn some techniques. You should replicate his every move so you know what you should be doing feels like. If he has a good wrap shot you will develop one too. Etc.

[Osric/Mageta]

Find yourself a good rghty s&ber in your realm. Stand opposite and be his exact mirror as you learn some techniques. You should replicate his every move so you know what you should be doing feels like. If he has a good wrap shot you will develop one too. Etc.

This works out well if the person you're fighting also fights lefties pretty frequently. You'll learn to wrap like a champ.

[Rakhir]

Most righties suck at fighting lefties, so I wouldn't do to righties what they do to lefties because it is probably going to get you killed. Righties usually fight other righties, just like you do, so there are particular issues with fighting left handed that they just won't pick up.

Consult other lefties unless the right hander is either top-tier in their game or you know they train extensively with quality left handers around their skill level.

[No'Vak]

Sorry if I sounded like a *.

Also, since you're left handed you get the bonus of practicing against 90% right handed people while right handed people have to practice against only 10% left handed people. Catch my drift? Just try not to rely on trick shots, we figure them out pretty fast.

[Slagar]

Just try not to rely on trick shots, we figure them out pretty fast.

No, nobody ever does. Ever. In 4 years now, the same stupid trick shot I've been using has stopped working on exactly 4 righties. One of whom sparred me 7 hours a week for a semester and a half to beat it, and forgot what he learned as soon as I moved away.

The problem with trick shots is that they work really, obnoxiously well, so you never have to learn the fundamentals and you will get absolutely rolled up and smoked by anybody who's just plain better than you. Without the basics, you can't grow, and without growth, the game gets boring pretty fast. Re-learning the basics and knocking off the trick shots that let me beat lesser fighters is the only shot in hell I ever have of beating upper-level fighters.

Edit: Yeah, the problems with just trying to mirror righties have already been stated. Mirror fighters have different priorities and thought patterns in shot selection than non-mirror fighters. You can learn range, body mechanics, and footwork from righties. Find a solid lefty or a top-shelf florentiner for shot selection and fight rhythm.

[Dane]

No, nobody ever does. Ever. In 4 years now, the same stupid trick shot I've been using has stopped working on exactly 4 righties.

Sad, but true.

As previously stated, your "advantage" is that you'll be used to fighting righties, and they won't be used to fighting you. Then you'll come up against pricks with tons of experience fighting against lefties, and you'll hate it.

[BattleChrist]

Find yourself a good rghty s&ber in your realm. Stand opposite and be his exact mirror as you learn some techniques. You should replicate his every move so you know what you should be doing feels like. If he has a good wrap shot you will develop one too. Etc.

You'll only really learn how to fight left handed fighters doing this. The things you do against right handed fighters and left handed fighters should probably not be the same.

[MeleeMoses]

Find yourself a good rghty s&ber in your realm. Stand opposite and be his exact mirror as you learn some techniques. You should replicate his every move so you know what you should be doing feels like. If he has a good wrap shot you will develop one too. Etc.

You'll only really learn how to fight left handed fighters doing this. The things you do against right handed fighters and left handed fighters should probably not be the same.

ZZZINNG!

[Mannajax]

I guess I was thinking for just basic mechanics and such. But you're right. A right handed fighter isn't going to know much for applicable tactics.

Thus the sig...

[Dane]

I know some right-handed fighters that can tell you all about killing right-handed fighters as a lefty.

[Arrakis]

I know some right-handed fighters that can tell you all about killing right-handed fighters as a lefty.

Heh.