Stances; Master Jules vs. STR33T GUY

[STR33T GUY]

Str33t Guy......could you be more specific in your comment to Ottman.....Im just curious if you wouldnt mind elaborating on your post. Thanks.

 

In 10 months I could train you to be able to destroy 90% of the people out there.

This statement is more of an off the cuff remark to add emphasis to the first statement.

In my opinion you have greatly over complicated things, much to your detriment.

I’m a big believer in the KISS principle.

 

Getting good at one stance that I can vary easily with circumstance is superior to being half good at several stances which I have trouble transitioning to in order to keep up with the changing circumstances.

 

This all reminds me of OODA loops;

 

http://www.mindsim.com/MindSim/Corporate/OODALoop.jpg

[Ottman]

I understand your criticism Sr33t, but I'm not trying to 'destroy' anyone. I think I can hold my own pretty well if I was attacked on the street, and I have few enemies, and don't usually get into situations that would warrant me having to 'destroy' anyone, but thanks anyway.

 

After looking at your OODA diagram, I've found that I actually follow its principles, it's just that the way I was trained, (and the way I continue to train) involves multiple basic stances (not many, just about 4.) Since I have been training this way, since I was twelve, (22 now) I have had the time to master each stance, and it's no longer complicated for me to use multiple stances, or to add new stances, (in the case of my capoeira training specifically.) I hadn't, until now, looked at it from the other side with someone who has always trained with just one stance. Reflecting back on my last post, I guess if you have developed the ability to vary your one stance to the situation, you can use it in the same way I described my use of multiple stances. If you have one stance that works, and it has worked for you for all of your training, stick with it. No reason to switch up now, just as there is no reason for me to switch to one stance now. Just wanted to put my two cents in from my experience.

 

P.S. Can someone please explain the KISS theory to me? I haven't heard it yet.

 

Also, Master Jules, I don't plan on ever stopping my training either

[STR33T GUY]

Hello Ottman

 

Since you have reached the point where you are comfortable with your stances, I’m not going to suggest that you change; it’s what works for you. (Btw stating that you started at 12 years old puts the ten years in a different light.)

 

KISS – keep it simple stupid

 

OODA – this comes from a theory about decision making developed by the USAF to improve the performance of fighter pilots in dog fights. It’s popular in some martial arts circles. My problem with OODA is that it didn’t really improve pilot’s performance in dog fights so why would it help a martial artist in a street fight?

 

Would you please describe your four stances, and tell what each one is for?

 

Do you train with Master Jules?

[Ottman]

:Edit: ('KISS' Right. now it's ringing a bell. I have heard that philosophy before.)

 

They're the basic stances taught in most martial arts: Forward stance: front knee bent over the front ankle, back leg outstretched, weight over the foreward leg, (I actually don't find myself in this stance much, but it's good to clear distances while attacking and maintain balance in doing so) Back stance: front foot pointing forward, back leg bent slightly, weight over the back leg, (this is usually my starting fighting stance, and my back foot is on the balls of the toes. Defensive in nature, but a good ready stance.) Horse Back riding stance: Just like it sounds, (with weight evenly distributed over both legs, and butt lowered as close to the ground as possible without losing your center of gravity.) I often transition into this stance if my opponent shifts accross my feild of vision. I can easily get into any position from here as my weight is evenly distributed. Also, if attacked, it's a very sturdy stance (for me anyway) so it's tough to move me off balance while in this stance. The last basic stance I was taught is walking stance, (also just like it sounds.) Actually not much use to this one (for sparring anyway), just used in forms instead of forward stance sometimes. But anyway, I've gotten the weight distribution from training in these stances down so that I can move, parry, and attack without losing my balance from just about any position, which is what I was really getting at. Depending on how I have to react to my foe, I find myself automatically transitioning into these stances without having to think about what I'm doing. From there, like I said abave, I can attack or defend or shift my positioning easily and without losing my balance. You're right Str33t, I just got the muscle memory from these stances since I've been training with them from such an early age. I just never really thought about a converse/antithesis (or whatever term applies here) until now. You live you learn I guess.

 

Oh yeah, no I don't train with Master Jules, in fact this thread is the first time I've heard of him (that I can remember.)

[Master Jules]

Man......and I thought I left a better impression !

 

LOL.....

[STR33T GUY]

Thanks for getting back to me Ottman.

 

I took TKD for about 10 months when I was in high school, so I’m a little familiar with your stances. The back stance is the one that I remember everyone using when sparring. I don’t remember the difference between the front and walking stance. Your description of the front stance sounds like the waking stance that I remember. I vaguely remember there being a fifth stance too.

 

Back in my TKD days the inside to outside crescent kick and the hook kick were my favorite kicks. Today the only kicks that I use are the Thai roundhouse kick and the push kick.

 

Well thanks again.

[Ottman]

walking stance is actually the same as forward stance, but just less forward

 

We also use cat stances, though rarely, and there is an official fifth stance called the ready stance, but it's the stance we're in when at attention, so I don't count it as a stance outside of traditional TKD classes.

 

Crescent and hook are also a couple of my favorites, but I rarely use them in sparring (only if I find myself up close and my opponent is off balance, otherwise they're kinda risky to execute.) My favorites while sparring are defensive side kick and front kick (push kick.) Turn kicks are great, but in the sport of TKD they are so over-used (IMHO) that they are somewhat ineffective. Everybody's waiting for them. Out on the street though, turn kick would probably be the first kick I throw if I found myself in a jam. Quick and to the point.

 

P.S. Sorry Master J. I'm kinda new here though, I'm sure we'll bump into each-other again. And I'll definitely remember you then.

[STR33T GUY]

Out on the street though, turn kick would probably be the first kick I throw if I found myself in a jam.

 

I don’t know what a turn kick is. I might know it by a different name.

 

Would you describe it please?

[Master Jules]

P.S. Sorry Master J. I'm kinda new here though, I'm sure we'll bump into each-other again. And I'll definitely remember you then.

 

LOL......no problem

 

BTW.....when you say "turn kick"....do you mean a roundhouse kick ?....if not that....can you describe it, cause Ive never heard that term used before...thanks

[Ottman]

Sorry, turn kick is the same as roundhouse kick. (Still getting used to transposing technique names across multiple styles.)