Sparring Stances

[KarateEd]

I was at a local TKD school the other day and while talking with the instructor discovered that his TKD organization taught their students to spar in a back stance (with the front foot pointing toward your opponent). I can understand using this stance within the confines of point sparing where strikes below the belt or to the knees may not be allowed, but from a street fight perspective it seems that one would not want use this stance because the knee might be a tempting target since force directed straight at it would more then likely hyper-extend it. I usually spar with my front foot at about a 45 degree angle from the centerline of my body.

I am curious about others' thoughts on sparring from a back stance.

Ed

[bushido_man96]

Funny thing...the school I attend pretty much teaches a back stance as the sparring stance, but I don't use it. It is too uncomfortable for me, and I take a more naturally balanced position, like a boxer would.

The back stance can be ok, though, because it keeps the body sideways and as a smaller target. Also, the front leg should only have about 30% body weight on it, making it easy to move.

But, as I said, I would not fight from that stance, either. Even in point fighting. Not to say others can't with success. Just not me.

[obiwansbane]

my guess is that they expect most street fighters to end up swinging hooks and stuff. Some people also see deep backstances as a joke so they'll be loose and not really paying attention to you, but more to laughin at whoevers nearby to laugh with them...

with that you use the 70% of weight on your backleg and launch yourself forward releasing a devastating strike while ure going..

thats just my guess... personally i fight like bushido..

[ps1]

I've found that most of the best fighters don't use a particular stance anyway. You teach beginners to use a specific stance just to build habits. However, as they advance, their fighting stance should be more adaptive. I agree with Bushido though, I prefer to show people to use a more balanced stance to begin with.

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, Just by dropping 1 inch or two will have give you a stronger foundation and a little bit more flexable stance.

Try it! .............Aloha

[bushido_man96]

Deeper stances=increased stability while decreasing mobility.

Taller stances=increased mobility while decreasing stability.

In the end, you have to find your happy medium.

Just curious, how long is everybody's stance when they fight? Mine isn't much different than a little longer than average step forward.

[Norris197]

When I spar I keep my back leg pretty bent ready for me to slide in quickly and attack when I see an opening.

[DWx]

We've always been taught to take a back stance in the sort of ready/guard position before the fight begins. Most beginners keep to it throughout a fight whilst the more advanced develop their own stances. I use a similar stance to Bushido too... I just find it easier because I favour my arms over my legs.

[dragonwarrior_keltyr]

Bushido, I think use a modified front stance, I'm not sure exactly how to describe it. I'd say it's a regular two steps deep maybe. I can see how using a backstance could help. One guy I have fought used it and threw killer kicks from his front leg. I couldn't do it but he sure could.

[BlahuKahuna]

I usually spar in a side stance, closed to the opponent.