balance-- toe or heel?

[MightyB]

Another question similar to my previous thread on the arm in the guard stance.

In mantis, we adopt monkey footwork. The knees are bent- the spine is erect- and we walk heel to toe. When standing still in the guard stance, the feet are flat - there's more weight on the back leg - and the weight feels more towards the heel.

In boxing or Judo - you carry the weight more forward towards your toes and you're on the balls of your feet.

What are the advantages for either position of weight forward on the foot or weight back on the foot?

[David Jamieson]

I don't think any of it is static in practical application.

ball of feet and toes facilitates using forward pressure and is useful when throwing.

full weight through the whole of the feet facilitates striking and mobility when one is not clinched or grappling for a throw.

both have their purpose.

I believe there is an article called "3 nails" by a taichi practitioner. He expounds on the idea of where weight should be in the feet as one practices.

seeing as taichi is not judo and judo is not boxing, then one can extrapolate through this concept and of course through direct practice.

imo. :)