Hi, I read in one of your posts that you teach turning on the heals, centre and ball of the foot. My question is what advantages/disadvantages do you find with each of these methods?
I have been tought to never turn on the toes or ball of your foot, but either the heals or centre depenting on what position your in.
Anyone elses response would also be greatly apreciated.
Look for Sharky
There was a post a little while back called “Turning on the heels”… or something to that effect 
Not sure, but I think Sharky posted it - look him up on the profiles if you can’t find it. Was an interesting read. Seems everyone does something a little differently.
Depends on what you want
Hi Ish,
Each placement offers certain things.
For example if one turns on the Balls of the foot you will end up closer to your opponent. It is a little more aggressive. However, you also run the risk of putting your weight too far forward and this can be taken advantage of by a skilled opponent. He will draw you in and then use your momentum to aid him in pulling you forward and off balance. If done properly though you can augment the power of your punch with a little more forward energy, of course you should be striking from the ground already so this can me nominal.
Turning on the Center of the foot gives you the most contact area when turning. Many people will argue that the center of the foot or K-1 point is where the body weight is centered and therefore it makes sense to turn on or as close as possible to this point. I am not sure I agree with this theory. I think that turning on the center provides more surface area and can allow you to react a little more slowly since you can fluctuate between heels and toes in a pinch. The more surface area one has the better ones stability, or so it can be argued. Turning in this manner also tends to keep the distance between you and the opponent about the same as you started at.
Turning on the Heels tends to draw one a bit further away from the attack. This can be seen as a measure of safety when dealing with a strong opponent. Another thing to consider is the surface you are fighting on. Turning on the heel will allow you to skim some things like loose gravel etc and still keep your structure.
So to summarize:
Turning on the Balls of the foot can decrease the distance between you and the opponent. It can bring your weight forward and towards the opponent. It is a bit more aggressive.
Turning on the Center of the foot is more passive and allows you to keep your weight centered. It will maintain the distance between you and the opponent. It provides the largest area of contact between you and the ground but for this very reason can also be considered slower.
Turning on the Heels can be used to increase the distance slightly between you and the opponent. However, you can also turn rapidly while maintaining structure and root.
It is my opinion that the weight of the body does not reside or rest on the K-1 Point or center of the foot. I feel that the weight is actually closer to the heel. The remainder of the foot provides the area needed to provide stability. I know that several people will disagree with me on this, but I am used to that 
, however if one examines the structure of the human body while standing then one will find that the leg drops into the heel area of the foot not the center. If one takes a stance and moves the knees forward then you can argue that they are placed over center but the physical link with the leg is broken. In other words, when I assume my stance my knees are in front of my heels but my weight is actually sinking through my legs into my heels or pretty close to it. I find that I am able to sink my weight and root at this point easier than at the Center of the foot. Of course, this is my experience and others may feel differently.
Now to make this even more fun you may also want to consider the method of turning. In other words do you turn one foot at a time or both together? This has an effect on how the turning works. What I always suggest is to experiment with all the different ways and see what feels best for you. Bottom line is if you can make it work for you then it is most likley the right way. I personaly tend to turn more on my heels and like turning both feet at the same time. I find it is faster and allows me to deal with minor obstructions on the ground. However, turning one foot at a time, while slower, can provide greater stability and ability to resist more pressure.
It all depends on what you want to do and whether or not you can make it work. Play around with different methods and let your body tell you what is best.
Peace,
Dave
Also something else to consider is if your picking up you feet when you turn (one by one), or if your going to maintain contact with the floor. If your going to turn through the center, and don’t want to be slowed down by the large contact surface, you pick up your feet when you turn.
Sihing73 - If the weight was really close to your heels, you would be easily pushed over. Of course the weight shifts around when the stance is not static.
-FJ
Pushing and other things
Hi Fa_jing,
If you can root and direct your energy into the ground then having weight on the heels would not necessarily equal being easily pushed over. If you direct the weight down then the incoming energy would be re-directed into the ground not back. Of course, one can also argue that since I don’t fight force with force I turn before the incoming force pushes me over.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me about this. However, I still feel teh weight is closer to the heels. On the net we can say anything we want to, in person it is easier to show. Now I believe that Robert Chu, whom I respect, advocates weight on center and teaches that the root is closer to the K-1 point. Robert also demonstrates his rooting by means of his structure tests. However, I have always been ornery so I am disagreeing with the weight being in center.
Of course, I can be knocked over by a gentle summer breeze
Peace,
Dave
LOL The endless debate continues!
In a normal standing position, the center of gravity is in a direct vertical line with the ankles. If you drop a plumb line from the crown of the head to the floor, you can see that it forms a straight line perpindicular to the floor.
When you sink your horse and roll the pelvis slightly, your center of gravity will shift forward away from the ankles. This will move your center of gravity over the K1 point, which isn’t exactly in the center of the foot. If you don’t roll the pelvis under slightly, two bad things occur: the spine remains curved and the center of gravity remains behind the support area.
According to accupuncture texts, the K1 point, aka the Bubbling Well point, is located just behind the ball of the foot. This places it about 1/3 the length of the foot using the toes as a reference. Again, using a plumb line (or just visual inspection) should show that a vertical line perpendicular to the ground starts from the crown of the head and drops to the K1 point when the knees are bent and the pelvis rolled under slightly.
Perpendicular is GOOD because any slight lean will cause gravity to exert an unnecessary torque. Lean too far in either direction and you will fall. Lean just a little and the body has to divert attention into maintaining balance in a non-optimal position.
The goal of this method isn’t to oppose force, but to use the body as a vessel to send the force to the ground. The ground is opposing the force, your body is just a conduit between the two. The only thing needed is alignment to maintain the ‘shape’ of this vessel.
When turning, the weight should stay over the K1 because any shift in your center of gravity, either forward or backwards, can be utilized to pull you off balance or up root you. Staying on the K1 allows you to keep your center of gravity over your support base.
The kuen kuit states: Receive what comes, escort what leaves…
IMHO shifting the CoG/weight forwards or backwards is a form of ‘leaving’ and can lead to one being escorted by someone sensitive enough to detect it.
IMHO
Dzu
Debate=thinking (sometimes)
Hi Dzu,
I was wondering when you would jump in 
. I know you like the K-1/center of the foot. Perhaps one day I will get out your way and we can compare notes in person. The majority of people would tend to say the center of the foot is the proper method. However, my point is that there are people who utilize both the Balls and Heels to good advantage. I don’t mind people saying the center is what works best for them. I do mind just repeating what “Sifu says” as the reason.
I guess on this one we will have to agree to disagree . One think I like about this is it makes me think, though my head hurts afterwards 
I have tried all three ways and I, personaly prefer the heels. I find the center of the foot to be a bit slower for one thing. But again this is my preference.
Peace,
Dave
No problems Dave. I resepect your opinion and your right to have that opinion. I also don’t like reading people parroting their Sifu. My opinions were formed based upon my own personal experience, my understanding of biomechanics, and also what I have been taught. Ultimately we all have to stand upon our own merits. The truth is that this would be easier in person to explain and feel so maybe one day!
Dzu
Dave - I’ll definitely check you out next time I’m in Philly - but It might be a while, even a year or more. Philly’s my hometown.
Go Eagles!!
-FJ
Always welcome
Hi Fa_jing,
You, and anyone else, are always welcome to visit. I will warn you that you may have to draw things out of me, I prefer to sit back and let the other guy set the tone and pace. Still, I am sure it would be fun if we got a chance to work out a bit. Seems like I have not been having much luck in that department lately. I had a brief meeting with a student of Steve Cottrels but he came up during a Christmas party at the school I teach at. We really did not have time to do more than discuss a few things. Both of us would have preferred to do more but time did not permit it. I had a slight family emergency with my wifes Godmother which impacted my weekend.
In any event let me know when you will be in the area and I am sure we can meet. The key is for me to get plenty of advance notice so I can insure my time is clear. With a large family it is difficult for me to get away at times.
I am not so sure I would admit to being from Philly while I always seem to end up back here I am also striving to leave.
Peace,
Dave
OT -
Well, I love Philly, I am proud to have grown up within the city limits, my parents still live there, Fairmount park is great, the culture is pretty good. But, the city has been run into the ground by the leadership. It is a truly poorly run city, I know Rendell did alright, but he was helped by the economy. The wage tax and gross receipts tax have driven business and population out to the suburbs, which lacks the infrastructure. Plus, city employee’s jobs are never cut, despite the fact the the number of people they are servicing has decreased by 50%. The schools suck Donkey D*** except for the magnet schools. Chicago is entirely the opposite. Excellently run city. Clean (in fhe nice parts), plenty of parks, activities, events in the summer, the lights are timed so their always green, plenty of parking downtown, public transportation that you can actually take, bustling, happening place. People come here from all over the world. The Kung Fu is good here, there are many schools. Bi-lingual education is offered in 30 different languages. Physically Philly is nicer, you have hills, more woods, more streams, the Poconos are close by, the weather’s a little better (not much). Chicago is an example that Philly needs to follow. The city always has plenty of money to make the upgrades that attract population. It’s due to high property taxes, and real-estate is much more expensive then in Philly, but the wages are higher here and it is worth it. And no wage tax!! I’m ranting because Philly is wasted potential. Has a nice Chinatown, though.
Go Iggles!! Remember the Fog Bowl!!
-FJ