Stability

Stability

To achieve power and quick movement in Taekwondo, you must first have stability. This means your body must be in balance and steadfast. There are two ways to view the importance of stability when fighting. One, you must have stability if you want to win. Two, you must upset your opponent's stability if you want to win.

Three factors determine your stability: your weight, base, and center of mass. Your weight is determined by gravity's effect upon your body and does not change during a combat situation. Your base is an imaginary line drawn between your feet over which your weight is supported. Your center of mass is the center of balance or center of gravity of your body (usually in the lower abdomen, at a point a few inches behind the knot of your belt). It is the single point at which the body is in perfect balance. It changes with body movement and may even move to a point outside the body. It must fall within the boundaries of the base for stability to exist. When moving the body, the center of mass should move in straight, level line to its intended position with minimal movement in any other direction. This is contrary to the International Taekwondo Federation's theory of "sine wave" movement in which the center of mass rises when moving and falls into the next stance. Sine wave movement supposedly increases power by dropping body mass into a technique. However, excessive movement of the center of mass uses extra energy, weakens stability, and slows forward motion. Body mass should be thrust into a technique for power.