Miscellaneous Fighting Stances
Miscellaneous Fighting Stances
It is time in our education to review other types of fighter’s stances. When you’re in an altercation, the way a fighter initially stands can give you a clue to what range of fighting they are most comfortable. These are some stances you need to understand to fight these differing stylists. Most people that enter an altercation have little or no training and this gives you the opportunity to fight in the range you’re most comfortable. Remember, take the attacker out of his/her comfort zone. Do not box with a boxer. Do not grapple with a grappler. Do not kick with a kickboxer. The great swordsman Masashi said know your enemy. It is hard to study a random attacker, but you can watch them and give yourself a fighting chance. In the AOKK we use a combination of all these positions when we fight. Because we train students to be strikers first, we teach a more upright fighting stance. This does not mean that we will not drop into a grappling position if a throw or takedown is required. We simply want to present the strengths and weakness of these stances. Ultimately, the fighter will decide.
Boxing Stance: Non-Traditional Fighting Stances
Foundation:
- The knees are a shoulder’s width apart.
- One leg is slightly in front of the other. Taller than the traditional karate fighting stance.
- Weight is placed on the balls of the feet.
- The fighter places his/her weight fifty-fifty on both feet.
- Hands are held high to protect face with one in front of the other.
- Elbows are held in close to body to protect ribs.
Note: This is one of the most mobile stances used in fighting. It’s a distant relative of the Ready Stance and Forward Walking Stance [Seisan-dachi]. Boxing utilizes the fluid footwork needed to move in and out of the first or striking range of combat. It weakness comes in its’ susceptibility to shin kicks. Boxing has made strikes to the legs and groin illegal, so these areas are neglected in defense.
Note: Most untrained fighters will assume this type of posture.
Weakness:
- They are susceptible to grapplers. Place them on the ground out of their comfort zone. Mount above the hipline and use elbows, palm heels, hook punches, and head butts to get the blood flowing. Lastly, choke them out. These are well trained fighters and are used to pain, so a joint lock will usually not end the fight.
- Stay outside and strike their legs wit shin and cut kicks. The knee joints and legs are easily attacked. Beat their legs until they cannot move easily. Do not go toe-to-toe and trade punches because that is their game.
Strengths:
- Extremely mobile
Kick-Boxing Stance:
Foundation:
- Knees slightly bent with one foot in front of the other.
- The fighter will be on the balls of his/her feet.
- Weight is 45 % on the lead leg and 55% on the support leg.
- The lead leg is used much like a jab in boxing.
- Arms are held high with the inside of the forearm pointing in the direction of the adversary.
- American kickboxers will hold their hands like a boxer while those that studied Muay Thai kickboxers will hold their arms upwards in like a wedge block position.
Note: The kickboxer will have a slightly longer stance than a boxer.
Weakness:
- Muay Thai fighters do little to protect the centerline striking points. They trust that their conditioning will protect them.
- They are susceptible to grapplers. Place them on the ground out of their comfort zone. Mount above the hipline and use elbows, palm heels, hook punches, and head butts to get the blood flowing. Lastly, choke them out. These are well trained fighters and are used to pain, so a joint lock will usually not end the fight.
Note: This is a well know weakness in this stance, so the kick boxers have developed the art of blocking with the legs, and they are very proficient.
Strengths:
- Extremely mobile
- Allows for use of all four weapons. [Both Arms & Both Legs]
- Allows for tremendous hip rotation and generation of power.
- Muay Thai kickboxers have powerful kicks and like to strike the opponent’s thighs.
Grappling Stance:
This stance is used by free style wrestler, jujitsu practitioner, or judoka. Greko Roman wrestlers use a more upright stance, so do not be surprised when they try to grab your wrists and under hook you for a takedown.
Foundation:
- Relaxed leaning forward
- Crouching
- Feet under the bodies weight with one forward
- Weight on the balls of the feet ready to push off.
- Hands are open and held low.
Weakness:
Note: In this position your face and head are exposed to attemi-waza (striking). Jigor Kano sensei was against using this posture while fighting because it limited movement and opened the fighter to strikes. In karate kumite we call this leading with your face. This position is commonly found in judo and free style wrestling.
- Susceptible to a knee in the head followed by a sprawl.
- Not extremely mobile. If the opponent runs around a lot this can be a problem.
Strengths:
- Great for single leg takedowns of an opponent.
- Great forward movement
