sparring stances... to bounce or to not bounce

[student_karateka]

First post here.

What are the advantages of bouncing versus not bouncing? The way I was trained, there was no bouncing though a lot of mobility was taught to us-- just without bouncing.

[mal103]

Up to you, depend what you want to achieve.

If you don't breath properly or are not that fit then bouncing about during sparring is just wasting your energy.

I do both depending on how I feel and on the opponent, light on your toes you can make the odd false move or swap legs, jump forwards etc, this can try to catch your opponent off guard and create an opening for you.

You can also just stand and wait - wait for your opponent to move and then react, or until you see an opening then strike.

Sometimes if I have a good opponent I will keep moving to keep them guessing.

Welcome to the forum by the way...

[student_karateka]

Is it then the case that I'm not crazy if I don't want to bounce around?

[brickshooter]

Dojo - bouncing allows one to use the ground as a springboard and explode into the attack. It keeps you more alert. But it's tiring and opens one up for sweeps.

Street - bouncing is dangerous. In such a high threat environment on unpredictable grounds, maintaining one's balance is a challenge even if one is not getting swept. A simple crack in that smooth sidewalk is enough to take a person down, and one tends to stare at the attacker rather than down at the ground.

[student_karateka]

Dojo - bouncing allows one to use the ground as a springboard and explode into the attack. It keeps you more alert. But it's tiring and opens one up for sweeps.

Street - bouncing is dangerous. In such a high threat environment on unpredictable grounds, maintaining one's balance is a challenge even if one is not getting swept. A simple crack in that smooth sidewalk is enough to take a person down, and one tends to stare at the attacker rather than down at the ground.

Thanks, I'll have to try it then...in the dojo. Hopefully I'll never again need it out of the dojo.

Could it be said that the choice to bounce is merely a stylistic difference or is it fundamentally justified like the twisting / rotating the fist at the end of a punch?

[Lupin1]

I could see bouncing serving the same purpose it does in tennis. In tennis many players bounce to stay light on their feet and be ready to move in any direction quickly. I personally don't like to bounce in either sport, but I can see the benefits.

[Nidan Melbourne]

I don't bounce personally because i prefer a strong base of support before i strike. also it makes it more annoying for my opponent to predict what i do (sometimes lol)

[Wastelander]

I prefer not to bounce most of the time--it is more mobile, but it uses up energy you could be saving and leaves you susceptible to sweeps and leg kicks.

[AdamKralic]

First does your dojo even allow sweeps?

Sweeps change a lot of things. Stance, Guard, movement.

[Harkon72]

Bouncing can be perceived as masking and fainting to cover your intended technique; but in my Opinion, bouncing can telegraph your technique even more, your thoughts?