Strong side/weak side training focus

[PoleFighter]

Everyone seems to have a favorite side for each technique. For example, I prefer to rotate counter clockwise when I do armbars, I like having the right leg of my opponent in my half-guard and I always go for the triangle with my right leg bent. My question is, how much do you think one should fokus on developing one's weak side?

Of course, escapes should be practiced on both sides, since you have little control over which side you end up on, but what about submissions, sweeps and takedowns? I'd love to hear what our more experienced members have to say on this subject..

[Ronin]

All sexual innuends aside, I go both ways and train accordingly.
South paw and orthodox, always have, used to drive my boxing coach crazy, they hate that.

[Otaku Waffle]

I'm a leftie and will usually fight focussing on my strong side but for training I go along with the majority and learn the "right" way of doing techs first.
I find it's a lot easier to learn [whatever] with my weak side (forcing me to pay attention to the details) and then picking it up with my strong side, rather then the other way around.

[lawdog]

Everyone seems to have a favorite side for each technique. For example, I prefer to rotate counter clockwise when I do armbars, I like having the right leg of my opponent in my half-guard and I always go for the triangle with my right leg bent. My question is, how much do you think one should fokus on developing one's weak side?

Of course, escapes should be practiced on both sides, since you have little control over which side you end up on, but what about submissions, sweeps and takedowns? I'd love to hear what our more experienced members have to say on this subject..

I think it probably depends on your goals. I can't really comment on BJJ, but as for judo, if you just want to learn self defense or good street fighting skills, perhaps it's not as important. But, if you want to succesfully compete at the upper levels, you need to work both sides, particularly as far as throws/takedowns. A judoka who is effective from his weak side can be as difficult to contend with as a boxer who fights southpaw.

[_Mick_]

http://bjj.org/articles/harris-physical.html

this is discussed under coordination here.

i think practicing both sides can be important. on the ground, somebody could leave their left or their right arm out, so you should be able to attack on either side.
the same can be said for throwing, kicking, punching ect.

[Bang!]

I usually feel like I need a certain level of comfort with a certain technique one side before I want to start farting around with it on the other. However, I try to vary up the side that I use to practice new techniques on. That way, even though I may not be able to use a certain throw on my left side with enough proficiency, I should have a couple of other options at my disposal.

Usually, I just concentrate on the mechanics of things, and they just seem to sort themselves out over time.

[awakenedstream]

what about during competition time. does training both sides breed any kind of uncertainty to a technique causing more decision time and becoming slower in execution?

[Res Judicata]

I think it probably depends on your goals. I can't really comment on BJJ, but as for judo, if you just want to learn self defense or good street fighting skills, perhaps it's not as important. But, if you want to succesfully compete at the upper levels, you need to work both sides, particularly as far as throws/takedowns. A judoka who is effective from his weak side can be as difficult to contend with as a boxer who fights southpaw.

You need to work offside throws, but unless you're Angelo Parisi, you're almost certainly going to fight righty or lefty. It's a matter of motor skill learning. Ground work is different.