Stance Questions & Comments

Date: Weds, 19 April 2006

I got a lot of feedback on last weeks' stance newsletter.  I thought I'd pick a few to share with you.

Andrew Molen writes:

I tend to use the Muay Thai type stance where your on your toes and you try to spread your weight out evenly so that your legs are lighter to left for a block or to avoid a sweep. Some boxers like Muhammad Ali stand on their toes too, even Bruce Lee.

I usually go down low on a horse stance after executing a movement like a roundhouse kick or a flying roundhouse kick to get back my balance before resuming my fighting stance.

On you toes also makes moving across the floor quicker if you've got a good "Dancing" routine.

That's just what I think,

Thanks and have a great day.

Sounds good, Andrew.  My one comment would be that if you "usually do something after something" your opponent may spot the pattern.  Going into the low stance after the roundhouse could set you up to be swept.  One the other hand, you can set a pattern just to draw a known response from your opponent.  It all depends on how you work it.  Thanks for writing in.  You have a good day too.

Alicia Hall had a few questions:

This newsletter was great. My instructor says that my major flaw in sparring is I think to much about what kind of stance I think I need to be in. Now you said that the deeper the stance, the more rooted you are and the better control you will have, then if you are on the balls of your feet and narrower, then you will move around a lot more.

Now which would be better in a tournament? Or is that one of those where you don't really have a stance?

Also, you wouldn't happen to have any leg stretching exercises or leg strengthening exercises would you? I'm getting ready for another tournament and my legs are going to be doing a lot of the work in this competition.

Thanks a lot! Your newsletters are a ton of help and a great inspiration.

In tournaments, I like to be all over the ring, so I avoid a deep stance.  That's not to say I haven't been tagged pretty good by guys in a low stance.  It's a matter of preference, but I like mobility for defense, creating reactions, and putting weight in my strikes.

For stretching, try the stretch kick series in my 2 DVD Set Kung Fu Conditioning. You'll get stretch, balance, and cardio - plus some great combinations you can pull out of your hat at the next tourney.  

Glad the newsletter is helping you Alicia.  Good luck at the tourney!

Steve Cross asked:

hi rob i guess my question to you is on the street how do think a kung fu student of wushu could make his skills work fast and deliver and quick ending to a bad incounter how could i train for this i like the trdition of old shool kung fu but the word on the street is that mixed marshail art is where it is at  can you give me some advice on this topic

Well Steve, when I hear the term Wushu, I think of the highly acrobatic performance art.  But whatever you mean by it, and whatever you train in yes, cross training is a good idea.  Any traditional Asian art could benefit from some American style boxing, and some submission technique.

As for what I would mix with Wushu, I would have to say Sumo.  That's got to be the ultimate hybrid fighting system.  I mean think about it.  The only thing scarier than a 400 lb. Guy coming at you, is if he's airborn! (-;

Finally, long time subscriber, friend, and fellow martial artist Keith Pascal wrote in with some great comments.

We'll get to them next week.

Until then, take care and train like you mean it.

Rob LaPointe