Benefits of Stance in Martial Arts Classes

Getting your stance right while training in martial arts classes means getting the right start. A good stance means a strong base, everything starts with stance. In our martial arts classes, we have fighting stance, forward stance, back stance, fixed stance, riding stance, cat stance and even crane stance. All of these have specific characteristics or nuances that the practitioner must take into account. Hence from good solid basics comes a strong foundation for you to develop your martial arts skill level and ability, these traditional stances are explained below.

Traditional Martial Arts Stances

Forward Stance
In this stance, the legs are held one in front and to the side of the other, in a wide and deep pose with hips facing forward. The front leg is bent and the other is straightened. This is a very firm and steady stance, one of the first learned by beginners, and is often used in patterns and line movement.

Back Stance
In this stance, one foot is in front of the other, with the back foot pointed 90 degrees perpendicular, and the front foot pointed straight. The majority of the body weight (70%)is placed on the back leg also often used in patterns and line movement. All techniques in Back Stance can only be half facing.

Fixed Stance
Fixed Stance which is one foot-length longer than Back Stance, the weight distribution is 50-50, So when performing this stance one should just be able to see the toes of one’s back foot over the knee. Usually used in a direction finish/end technique in patterns.

Riding Stance
In this stance, the legs are in a squat position, the weight distribution is 50-50 with feet far apart facing forward and knees bent. This stance can also be used as a stretch. The object is typically to keep the back straight while lowering the buttocks down to the ground with the legs spread keeping shins perpendicular to the floor, used in warm up, whilst punching or stationary blocking or in patterns.

Cat Stance
In this stance, the legs are held bent and close together, with the back foot perpendicular to the body with the majority of the body weight (90%) and the front up on the ball of the foot and pointed forward. This stance is found in the higher level patterns, used for sweep evasion and in preparation for kicking off the front leg.

Crane Stance
In this stance, the support leg is bent (with 100% weight) and the other leg is held up of the floor at knee height in preparation for a kick or sweep evasion. It is used often in the higher level patterns.

Fighting Stance as used in Martial Arts Classes

A traditional stance practiced in every martial arts class enhances your form, power and speed, as it creates an awareness of body mechanics and weight balance. This makes the transition to fighting stance an easier concept to take on board, hence fighting stance becomes just another stance.

Although fighting doesn’t require a fixed stance, we still call it fighting stance. This stance takes the form of a fighter; feet shoulder width apart, feet pointing roughly to 1 o’clock if you’re orthodox (left hand lead) or 11 o’clock if you’re southpaw (right hand lead). Your weight should be predominately on the pads of the feet with both knees slightly bent, guard up (hands roughly at jaw height elbows tucked in). The benefits of using a fighting stance in your martial arts class is that it keeps you on your toes, ready for anything. It’s dynamic and utilitarian.

So in conclusion, work on your stances in martial arts classes, as it not only gives you good grounding but are the “building blocks” so to speak, in developing your skills. Good stance creates superior balance and enhanced transition of power to target.