Fight in Low stance? or Stand up stance?

[omnifinite]

Maybe this is somewhat off-topic, but every time I see a thread on stances, the same thought pops into my head. Aren't stances meant to be transitional? Something you naturally glide in and out of momentarily rather than actually setting yourself in? And you simply practice and hold those stances in katas and such so moving in and out of those positions quickly as they become useful or necessary comes naturally without thought? I would want to lower my center of gravity a bit if I were in real danger, but I don't think I would actually pick a set position for myself... when would I even have time?

 

I haven't done the reading, but as Ironberg mentioned that's probably something JKD addresses. I have a feeling that's how a lot of the old masters who made those katas saw it too... but I don't know. Could be wrong.

[fungku]

Maybe this is somewhat off-topic, but every time I see a thread on stances, the same thought pops into my head. Aren't stances meant to be transitional? Something you naturally glide in and out of momentarily rather than actually setting yourself in? And you simply practice and hold those stances in katas and such so moving in and out of those positions quickly as they become useful or necessary comes naturally without thought? I would want to lower my center of gravity a bit if I were in real danger, but I don't think I would actually pick a set position for myself... when would I even have time?

 

That's exactly my view on stances as well.

 

I don't see a point of 'standing' in a fixed stance for no reason.

 

My 'fighting stance' is simply standing comfortably with my hands in a position to guard my centerline and so as to make fast non-telegraphed, powerful strikes

 

I think of 'stances' as transitional, fluidly moving from one to the other to deliver the associated techniques.

[Molson style]

i basically use low stances during grappling encounters/clinches, high stances while striking.

[SBN Doug]

So to summarize: I don't suggest that you handicap yourself with low stances. Perhaps someone else can point out advantages to low stances, but until then, I'm sticking with my short stance.

 

As Molson just said, low stances are best when you plan to execute grappling type techniques. If you just plan to punch, punch, kick, then you don't want to be in a low stance. For instance, if you're in a point sparring match that doesn't allow throws.

 

However, if throws are allowed, a lower stance gives a lower center of gravity. When practiced this way, one can either execute long range punches and kicks, or pivot quickly into a throwing, trapping, or tackling position. You may see it as telegraphing some punches and kicks from a low stance, but I look at it as being in a position to have more attacks available to me.

[brickman]

hmmm....there seems to be no love of someone in a low stance. Am I correct in assuming that a low stance just means you are lower in your fighting stance? Why must one's heel be on the floor in this stance? I think being low is great....fighting high will get you countered while attacking (if you attack anyone very good). I agree also with the comment about transitioning....how can you move from either defence to offense or vice versa? change stances? Why then do all the stances we do in karate have us bend our knees and work on leg strength if we are going to fight straight up? I for one fight from a low stance (mind you I am talking of only lowering the body perhaps 20 inches or so...but the knees are bent)...it works very well for me and makes me much faster whether I am going forward or backward.

[SBN Doug]

Our definition of "low" means thighs are almost parallel to the floor. I can't speak for others.

[brickman]

ksn doug,

 

Just parallel? ok...thanks for the info. Are you on the balls of your feet or are you in a heels down stance?

[isshinryu kid]

Seiuchinstance/Soto hachiji dachi,Is a low & defensive stance,But would be used against a bigger person.BUt Short natual stances are are not a waste of motion,&Will aid in shifting the body,AT a much faster rate.Natural stances,Which is why it's also good in a self defense situation.

[JerryLove]

I tend to like to be upright. It's how I walk, it's how I prefer to manuver. That said, there are certainly some exceptions.

 

I like putting my opponent on the floor. I do not like to leave him there alone, but I don't want to be off my feet either. What can I do? Squat low.

 

Generally I'm low either in transitory (nothing like bringing 4 limbs to bear on their legs to screw them up) or because my opponent is no longer standing. I do also like some low-position arts (such as tjikulung) but find them difficult to really fight in (time to work on that leg-strength some more:) )

[delta1]

My basic stance is a ballance between low enough for stability and high enough for mobility; emphasis on mobility. Once in range, stances should change continually as you maneuver. Posed stances are targets. Stance changes also add power to your strikes and do most of the work in stand up grappling techniques. You have to be mobile to use a stance to its fullest.

 

Kicking off the back leg usually only works after you've set him up. Takes too long to deliver. And blocking the kick is not your opponents only option. If it is a front kick, he can step to the side and block, parry, or trap to put you where he wants you. Roundhouses off the back leg are worse yet. The kick has its max power at just past 80% of its arc. If he steps back, past the apex of the kick, and throws up a universal, or wall block, he has you. He is facing your center line with all weapons in battery and all your targets are exposed. And your base consists of one foot, temporarily supporting one good knee. Personally, I prefer to move inside and jam his attack, then see how many targets I can destroy before the kicking foot comes back down. The further inside the kick you get, the less power it has. But timeing is important or you may take a nasty knee strike.