Examining a classic stance

[Kellen Bassette]

It shall be discussed at great length and with unbridled fervor in the Shaolin Forum.

[PalmStriker]

I use classic boxing stance that is the foundation for my blocking (full body) stance. That disruption is something I like to throw up at the last split second if under attack.

[GlennR]

Something Great Came from the Wing Chun Forum's infighting! This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81non05aKX4 was posted in a thread started by GlennR

It's an examination of the classic boxing fighting stance in comparison to the modern square fighter's stance. IMO, it's really not significantly different than the classic northern TCMA stance - is there something we can learn or apply based on this video?

God, ive mad the big time and escaped the clutches of the WC forum.

You guys have a Hendrik equivalent here?

[Kellen Bassette]

You guys have a Hendrik equivalent here?

I have not seen his equal in all my travels.

[GlennR]

I have not seen his equal in all my travels.

True, his videos of "monotonous death" are unrivalled

[B.Tunks]

Yes, when I did northern style, the preferred stance was right lead/southpaw position. But in the main lineage of my CLF, we start from the left lead/orthodox stance, and through stepping and combinations work into the right lead most of the time.

That is the same with Tanglang. Orthodox, stepping forward into southpaw but returning to orthodox. Also, not all 'Northern' styles use right side lead. Many have a shifting guard and try to emphasise both sides. If anything, right side lead/southpaw is more prevalent in the Southern styles.

[YouKnowWho]

That is the same with Tanglang. Orthodox, stepping forward into southpaw but returning to orthodox. Also, not all 'Northern' styles use right side lead. Many have a shifting guard and try to emphasise both sides. If anything, right side lead/southpaw is more prevalent in the Southern styles.

In the throwing art, you definitely want to put your strong side forward.

Here is a simple example, If you want to use your right leg to block your opponent's legs, you have to keep your right leg forward. If you put it back, you will need an extra step to cover the same distance. That will be just too slow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA2pS7tt9SU

If you train both the striking art and the throwing art, will you use southpaw or orthodox?

[B.Tunks]

If you train both the striking art and the throwing art, will you use southpaw or orthodox?

Use both. As with Tanglang.

[Jimbo]

That is the same with Tanglang. Orthodox, stepping forward into southpaw but returning to orthodox. Also, not all 'Northern' styles use right side lead. Many have a shifting guard and try to emphasise both sides. If anything, right side lead/southpaw is more prevalent in the Southern styles.

Thank you for sharing.

Although my CLF's main lineage generally emphasizes the orthodox into southpaw, for myself, I'm comfortable from whichever position I happen to be in. Which IMO is good for standup, because oftentimes you have to act/react from the position you happen to be in relative to your opponent. And this can develop naturally, without necessarily having to obsessively mirror every movement or combo for each side during practice.

[YouKnowWho]

Have you guys tried the "cross stance" that you have right leg forward with left hand forward?

[bawang]

Have you guys tried the "cross stance" that you have right leg forward with left hand forward?

it sounds very advanced. Im scare to try.

[-N-]

Have you guys tried the "cross stance" that you have right leg forward with left hand forward?

Typically, by the time we are in that position we are already moving in and attacking. This is transitional.

One exception is when it is a trap or invitation.

Brendan Lai's teacher, Wong Hon Fan, liked to use empty stance with an open high/low guard in "cross" configuration to let the other person try to attack down the center.

[YouKnowWho]

Typically, by the time we are in that position we are already moving in and attacking. This is transitional.

One exception is when it is a trap or invitation.

Brendan Lai's teacher, Wong Hon Fan, liked to use empty stance with an open high/low guard in "cross" configuration to let the other person try to attack down the center.

The cross stance is quite commonly used in the SC environment. You extend your minor (non-major) hand out to confuse your opponent (such as pretend that you want to grab his left lapel). When he moves his left shoulder back, he will give you exactly what your are looking for, his right sleeve.

If your opponent doesn't move his left shoulder back and allow you to use your left hand to grab on his left lapel, you can take your opponent down just by a hop in with your left back leg and spring on his left leg with your leading right leg.

Since your right leg is already forward, you can use your right leg to attack whenever you want to.

[-N-]

I personally started to adopt a more square - modern orthodox lead because of a tendency to be a thrower (judo) and a desire to bring in more of my rear hand to play, but after seeing the video, I may revisit the traditional stance.

Mantis sets up the throw/takedown with striking.

By the time we bring the rear hand/side into play, we transition immediately through square all the way to the other side lead for takedown.

[-N-]

Have you guys tried the "cross stance" that you have right leg forward with left hand forward?

Typically, by the time we are in that position we are already moving in and attacking. This is transitional.

I personally started to adopt a more square - modern orthodox lead because of a tendency to be a thrower (judo) and a desire to bring in more of my rear hand to play, but after seeing the video, I may revisit the traditional stance.

Mantis sets up the throw/takedown with striking.

By the time we bring the rear hand/side into play, we transition immediately through square all the way to the other side lead for takedown.

One example is documented at the end of the first line of Bung Bo.

Step forward with right foot and punch with the right lead.

Grab with the right hand, jump in with a right flying knee attack, and pull him into your left cross.

In the transition of this attack, you have right leg/knee in front, left hand/punch in front, right hand in back.

This turns into a "stacking elbow" takedown as you land down from the flying knee.

You transition quickly through facing square with 2 handed cross grab as you bring the rear hand forward and step the right leg in deep behind the other guy for the takedown.