About Stances

Relax

Relax the muscles and stay loose. Tension reduces endurance and the speed and effectiveness of techniques.

Slide

When stepping, release weight from the moving foot and push off the supporting leg using the inner thigh muscles to propel the body. The movement is more of a sliding step since the moving foot remains in contact with the ground. In a street defensive situation, you cannot clearly see the ground or what may be lying upon its surface, such as broken glass or gravel. If you step into a hole or onto something slippery, you may lose your balance and open yourself to an attack. By sliding a moving foot, it clears its path. You are "seeing" the ground with your feet as you move. Do not shift your weight back onto the moving foot until it is in position on a firm surface. Once the weight starts shifting, you are committed to the movement, so if the foot is not on firm ground, you may expose yourself to an attack or the possibility of falling.

Base

While moving in any stance, the feet should always stay at least a shoulder width apart. This insures you always maintain minimum balance.