Sparring Stances

[Montana]

Weight distributed 50/50 on both feet. This allows you to move forward quickly, or backwards just as quickly. Using a cat stance continuously just opens you up to getting your front foot swept out from under you. Yes, use the cat stance, but not all the time.

[bushido_man96]

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

That's really curious, I've never come across anybody sparring in a back stance. But if the leading foot is facing your opponent, is it really a back stance?

A back stance, as I am familiar with it, is not named in relation to which way the front foot points, but to the leg on which most of the bodyweight is distributed...the back leg.

[Montana]

A back stance, as I am familiar with it, is not named in relation to which way the front foot points, but to the leg on which most of the bodyweight is distributed...the back leg.

Correct

[KarateEd]

A back stance, as I am familiar with it, is not named in relation to which way the front foot points, but to the leg on which most of the bodyweight is distributed...the back leg.

I have also learned that the back stance required more weight on the back leg than the front, but also that the front foot points forward (Youn Wha Ryu TKD). This other school that I was trying out also taught the forward pointing foot, but taught a 50/50 weight distribution (ATA TKD). It is interesting the little differences that can arise in even the same type of MA.

Ed

[Montana]

Our back stance is around 40/60 (front/back) weight distribution. We don't like to overcommit to anything, as that can leave you vulnerable. At 40/60 you can still go forward quickly if needed, or back, but the wieght is slightly off the front foot.

As for the foot position, generally pointed forward, but could be angled. Angled telegraphs to your opponent (if they're skilled enough to pick up on it) that you are more prone to trying a side/roundhouse kick. With the foot straight on to your opponent, you can do anything.

[A_Train]

I usually switch between boxing and side stance.

Another question though, do you bounce in your stance or are your feet fixed. I see both, and dont really know which way I should lean.

[Montana]

Another question though, do you bounce in your stance or are your feet fixed. I see both, and dont really know which way I should lean.

IMO, absolutely NOT! Bouncing puts you into a definite rhythm that an experienced fighter wil luse against you. I've used this myself, and if you tiem your attack to move forward when your opponent is just starting his upward "bounce"...he can't move his body away from you until he comes down from that bounce and is able to push awy from the ground with his feet.

It takes practice and training, but very possible. Fighting is all about using your strengths against your opponents weakness's and openings.

[Athena]

Bouncing: while bouncing can be used to an advantage against inexperienced or angery fighters who can't think straight through anger i think it uses to much energy to keep bouncing up and down up and down. Energy that you will need for blocking,dodging and striking. besides that..ima girl. I don't bounce XD

Stance: um..to describe my stance..i have to pretend I'm faced against someone and then take notes on it. It's my own default posiotion that i must have picked up somewhere >.< *has had no teacher until recently*

(must be backstance) XD

I actually yes, do turn my body so that my left side is facing my opponent, my left arm is slightly extended in front of my and my figers are relaxed and naturally curled. My right hand is also relaxed but held back more towards the right side of my belly. I find this quite comfortable and I can move freely ^.^ ....i can actually feel that there is more weight on my right lg tho (wich is faced away from the opponent and slightly bent)

[bushido_man96]

A back stance, as I am familiar with it, is not named in relation to which way the front foot points, but to the leg on which most of the bodyweight is distributed...the back leg.

I have also learned that the back stance required more weight on the back leg than the front, but also that the front foot points forward (Youn Wha Ryu TKD). This other school that I was trying out also taught the forward pointing foot, but taught a 50/50 weight distribution (ATA TKD). It is interesting the little differences that can arise in even the same type of MA.

Ed

It is funny that you mention the ATA back stance. When I was in the ATA, we learned it as a 70/30% distribution. I have seen 60/40 as well. I think it really must have more to do with individual instructor preference than style preference.

[bushido_man96]

Another question though, do you bounce in your stance or are your feet fixed. I see both, and dont really know which way I should lean.

IMO, absolutely NOT! Bouncing puts you into a definite rhythm that an experienced fighter wil luse against you. I've used this myself, and if you tiem your attack to move forward when your opponent is just starting his upward "bounce"...he can't move his body away from you until he comes down from that bounce and is able to push awy from the ground with his feet.

It takes practice and training, but very possible. Fighting is all about using your strengths against your opponents weakness's and openings.

I tend to ride the fence a bit on the bouncing issue. I don't see it as too detrimental. You won't expend so much energy from it as to wear you out, as long as you are in shape, in my opinion. What I like to do, is stay "springy." It is more like bouncing without leaving the floor. You just kind of bounce with your knees and ankles, creating just a little bit of motion, instead of actually coming off of the floor.

There have been many successful fighters who bounce. There have been many successful fighters who don't bounce. It is just about what works for you.