Stance

Introduction

The proper stance is basic to all movements or it is the foundation of each movement. Movement is dependant upon balance and balance on stance. It is difficult to perform a movement without proper balance. Whether the technique is successful or not depends upon a fine adjustment of balance. Therefore, balance is the most important aspect of any stance.

The most important functions of the stance are to achieve balance despite a moving center of gravity and to lead a movement to its next position or stance,

The center of balance originates from the gravity of the earth. Therefore, the wider the base, the more safely balanced the object is when the base is equidistant from both sides from he center of gravity. Otherwise the object will be unstable or easy to topple..

Its Significance

• A correct and perfect stance provides mobility and strong balance as a result gives effective foundation in application of defensive and offensive hand and foot techniques.
• During an action, be it free fighting or 1-step fighting, there is a need or it is becoming necessary to change stance from time to time depending upon the moves you want to make in order to reach the maximum result.
• As you would observe in your daily training, combination of strong hand n foot  attack require strong balance and the effective application of defensive moves, along with offensive moves, requires good coordination and superb balance to be advantageously applied in any combat.
• In another word, stance plays a very important role and should not be taken lightly or for granted but instead should be studied and practiced in depth to ensure a perfect result.
• There are many types of stance namely, the ready or natural stance, the horse riding stance, the side stance, the forward stance, the back stance, the cat stance, the even stance, the inward bent knee stance, the low stance, the low forward  stance and so on and so forth .

Stance commonly used

Ready or natural stance (Choon Bee Jaseh)

• It is a relaxed posture with the upper body straight and shoulders natural.
• Both legs are straight with the body line, foot about shoulder width apart and arms extended slightly forward.

Horse-riding stance (Kima Jaseh)

• The two foot about twice the ready stance width, both the foot exactly on a line and hold them stationary.
• Bend the knees outward and sink down as if mounted on a horse.
• Hips be pushed to the rear, upper body straight and centered in the middle of both legs.
• Hand and eyes face straight ahead.
• Chest open, shoulders relaxed while all muscles on the legs through the hips remain tense.

Its Significance

• Important as a training stance that provides strong balance.
• Used for a finishing blow in full power as it provides a very strong base for attacks as well as blocks.

Side stance (Yup Jaseh)

• Similar ton horse stance, but the two foot distance is only 1 1/2 of s ready stance.

Its Significance

• Executed when the opponent is on the side.
• Is used for fast pickup purposes while stepping or turning on the side.
• During free fighting leaves a limited opening for the opponent’s counter attack.
• Used as base for executing side kicks or side punches.

Short forward stance (pah chun gool Jaseh)

• As the name implies, it is very similar to forward stance except t he distance between the two foot is less and the body is higher.
• The shorter distance between the two foot allows better mobility for shifting.
• Attacking moves like elbow, upper cut (elbow), knee attack is best suited in this stance.

Back stance (Hoo gool Jaseh)

• Bring right back to form a right angle with the front foot.

(30% and 70% of body weight is supported by the front and rear foot respectively)

• Distance between the front n rear foot is 1 ½ shoulder width.
• Heels of both foot lie on a straight line toward the opponent.
• Front toe facing forward and rear toe to the right.
• Both foot flat on the floor.
• Rear leg, hip, body are an almost vertical line.
• Front knee is bent but it is pressed toward the body to push the body weight towards the rear leg, therefore the front foot extends further from the body than the knee.
• Upper body stays straight whether in a front, half-front or side facing posture.

Its Significance

• Among all the stances, back stance generally provides better or more flexibility of body movements.
• Normally preferred as the main fighting stance because of its mobility, besides, it is easy to shift from it to either a long distance or short distance stance or shifting side way and provides a better position to defence and counter attacks.
• However, caution must be taken to maintain most of the body weight on the rear leg while punching or kicking following the shifting or stepping, avoid the unconscious transfer of weight to the front foot while striking or punching forward, though lack of control of the thrusting force.

Cat Stance (Tuttbal Jaseh)

• Similar to back stance except that the two foot are much closer together.
• Bring the right foot directly behind the left foot so that it almost touch.
• Most of the body weight rests on the rear foot which is flat on the floor with the knee slightly bent, the ball of the front foot simply touches the floor so that it can easily lifted without shifting the body weight.
• Body posture can be either in a front or half front position.

Its Significance

• Used for defensive or counter attacking purposes.
• Gives a fast pick-up for body shifting and for delivering a kick with the front foot since there is almost no weight resting on this foot.
• It is also a mobile stance.
• However, body movements executed in cat stance are generally weak because of the short distance through which the move travels the uneven weight distribution and the lack of body advancement in stepping.
  
  

Forward  Stance(Chun gool Jaseh)

• Move the right foot diagonally back to a distance of about twice the width of your shoulders.(60% weight in the front and 40% weight on the rear)
• Width of the lines between left and right foot is about the same as with the original ready position in natural stance.
• Both foot stay flat on the floor.
• Front toe faces straight and the knee is bent with the lower part of the leg straight up.
• Rear toe points in an approx. 30 degree angle to the right, the knee straight and the right hip pushes forward.
• Upper body straight in a a front facing position with arms relaxed but the chest is widely open.

Its Significance

• Used for both stationary techniques and for moving in, back or both direction.
• Provides a mean of stepping a comparatively long distance in which the advancing motion of the body provides an additional forward force for punches, strikes, kicks or block.
• It is most frequently used in basic drill.
• Though it provides the strongest body movements and balance it leaves wide openings on the body in actual application.  

Low Stance (Natchwoh Jaseh)

• Extension of forward stance.
• The distance between the two foot is longer and the diagonal distance between the two foot is shorter and the body remains lower than the forward stance.

Its Significance

• Primarily used for hand attacks (fist or spear hand) with a thrusting motion.
• For making a thrusting attack in free fighting.
• Can be used to cover a longer distance and provides stronger body advancement then the regular forward stance.
• However, its set back is the long distance of both foot make shifting of body slow and weak in balancing.

Methods of Performing:

• Straight stepping and
• Pivot stepping side stance
  
  
  

Straight Stepping

• Assuming the opponent is on your left side, move into him/her either

            

             i       bring your right foot over your left, or
             ii      stepping behind the left, or

             iii     on a straight line on the side, and pushing out to the left onto the opponent

• Reverse the procedure for moving away

Pivot Stepping

• Executed by pushing off with front or rear foot and pivoting either forward of backward in a tight circle toward or away from the opponent.
• Eye on the opponent while turning in either direction.
• Hips and knees should always be kept bent and your head remains on the level while stepping.