About Stances

Stance Choice

Each stance has qualities which are advantageous or disadvantageous, according to the situation. Also, each stance changes, according to its use. For instance, in preparation for an attack from a front stance, the front knee is bent and both legs are relaxed to permit quick and flexible movement. However, at the moment of impact of the attack, the muscles of the legs must contract to strengthen the hold of the feet on the ground and to give power to the technique. Maintaining unnecessary tension in the legs or using a stance which is too low will hinder quick movement.

Learn all the stances and when to use them. Use stances that fit your size and ability, fit the technique you are using, and fit the attacking style of your opponent. Practice using stances on both sides. Certain techniques are easier to execute from a specific stance, such as a leading foot front kick from a front stance. Some techniques must be executed from a specific stance, such as a sliding side kick from a sitting stance.

Stance May Weaken a Technique

It may happen! When you are standing in place, you are pressing into the floor at a constant rate which is a component of both gravity and your mass. When you begin to push into an object that is not easily moved, such as when punching an opponent, you add a third support for your body weight. Your feet and fist are acting as a sort of tripod. In other words, some of the body weight that you want to apply through your fist is actually being exerted through your feet. If you lift the front foot of a front stance while punching into a wall, you will notice the increased pressure on your punching arm. Now, your body weight is only supported by your rear leg, your punch, and the connecting points in between. This demonstrates how a punch landed just before the front foot connects with the floor may be timed to have a larger mass component than a punch thrown with both feet planted in a stance. If a larger opponent is punched while charging in, do not let the hips rise when lifting the foot or the body may rise and be up-ended.