# stances
**URL:** https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345
**Category:** Mixed Martial Arts
**Created:** [June 27, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345 "2003-06-27T05:34:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Yung\_Apprentice](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Yung_Apprentice)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/1 "2003-06-27T05:34:44Z")
I know there is no “set” stances in JKD. But what were the stances originally taught by Bruce Lee? The reason I ask is, at the place I studied at for a little while, the first stance taught (I don’t know if there are more) was a stance similar to that in WC. Anywho, I thought that was different, since I thought Bruce favored more of a western boxing stance. Any ideas?
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### Author:  [@bonetone](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/bonetone)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/2 "2003-06-28T00:18:49Z")
Early stances resemble the basic Wing Chun stances, only slightly modified, mainly the neutral stance(clamping goat horse), and forward stance. There is also more than a few pictures of lee in cat stance, a stance similar to bow stance but a little tighter, a deflecting stance, and some other non Wing Chun gung fu stances. He studied more southern mantis than most people are aware of and it shows in numerous pictures of his early years in America
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### Author:  [@Sho](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Sho)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/3 "2003-06-28T21:48:42Z")
I thought the JKD stance (and footwork generally) was influenced by fencing.
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### Author:  [@Yung\_Apprentice](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Yung_Apprentice)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2003, 8:00am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/4 "2003-06-30T08:00:36Z")
I know alot of the footwork from fencing was integrated, but from what I had seen (and it is a limited expereince, so if I’m wrong forgive me) a lot of the stances were that of a western boxer.
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### Author:  [@bonetone](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/bonetone)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2003, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/5 "2003-06-30T11:07:19Z")
I think the stance and footwork used by Lee once he started using the term JKD is more fencing oriented (strong side forward, not exposing too much front area, I think boxers are a little more square in stance), though there is obvious western boxing influence. Study Mohammed Ali if you want to better understand what Lee was thinking with boxing. I think any stance that advocates mobility, simplicity, and effectiveness can be used in your JKD if they work for you, not that you shouldn’t become proffecient in stance and footwork as used by Lee, unless it doesn’t suit your physical structure and have found something already that works better for you.
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### Author:  [@Kymus](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Kymus)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/6 "2003-07-16T04:44:33Z")
Re: stances
> Originally posted by Yung Apprentice
> I know there is no “set” stances in JKD. But what were the stances originally taught by Bruce Lee? The reason I ask is, at the place I studied at for a little while, the first stance taught (I don’t know if there are more) was a stance similar to that in WC. Anywho, I thought that was different, since I thought Bruce favored more of a western boxing stance. Any ideas?
The JKD stance has the feet positioned similar to boxing, while the hands have one high and another around the middle. I’ll see if I can get you a pic
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### Author:  [@Kymus](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Kymus)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/7 "2003-07-16T04:47:25Z")
\”\)
That looks like it. I’d be able to tell better if he was facing towards the side.
if the image doesn’t work, go to [www.pamausa.com](http://www.pamausa.com) and click the “about Rick Tucci” part.
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### Author:  [@Yung\_Apprentice](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Yung_Apprentice)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/8 "2003-07-16T07:47:29Z")
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@chen\_zhen](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/chen_zhen)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/9 "2003-07-16T11:31:20Z")
i read that although BL modified his stance into a boxing-like stance, he kept the WC structure in his stance, like rooting, immovable-elbow theory, centerline-theory, etc.
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### Author:  [@Kymus](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Kymus)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/10 "2003-07-16T14:46:59Z")
> Originally posted by chen zhen
> i read that although BL modified his stance into a boxing-like stance, he kept the WC structure in his stance, like rooting, immovable-elbow theory, centerline-theory, etc.
We use Wing Chun trapping a lot and there is emphasis on the centerline. so yeah, it’s like a boxing-similar stance with WC movements in it
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### Author:  [@yenhoi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yenhoi)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/11 "2003-07-16T20:29:56Z")
i read that although BL modified his stance into a boxing-like stance, he kept the WC structure in his stance, like rooting, immovable-elbow theory, centerline-theory, etc.
Immovable-eblow, centerline, and structure are discussed in length in the Tao.
On rooting. The ‘classical’ JKD bai-jong resembles the WCK chum kil stance with the rear heal raised off the ground. Statically the weight is carried 70/30.
Guard position, legs, hips etc, thats all standing still. Stances are worth nothing if you arent moving.
Move, move, move, move. Then start thinking about immovable elbow, centerline, rooting, and structure. These things are only valuable if you understand motion and movement.
:eek:
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### Author:  [@chen\_zhen](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/chen_zhen)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/12 "2003-07-16T20:39:40Z")
But the JKD by-jong is 50/50, right?
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### Author:  [@yenhoi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yenhoi)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/13 "2003-07-16T21:09:37Z")
Depends on lineage.
In the Tao of JKD its clearly illustrated as 70/30.
:eek:
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### Author:  [@chen\_zhen](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/chen_zhen)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2003, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/14 "2003-07-17T10:20:29Z")
I do remember in the Tao that he states “50/50”..
But I guess other types of stances are used.
But would’nt BL call a 70/30 stance too immobile? Is it 70% on the back leg?
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### Author:  [@yenhoi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yenhoi)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/15 "2003-07-17T17:41:13Z")
In the tao he shows two “on-guard” positions. At least in my copy. Note, He didnt do any of this, John Little did. one does have scribbles next to it showing 70 on the front and 30 on the back. The other is text and says 50/50. Regardless we are talking about a static position, which does us very little good considering in combat we wont be standing in one place worring about if our legs are double weighted or 70/30. With a raised rear heel, a 70/30 posture is not immobile. As a matter of fact nearly-any weighting is highly mobile with a raised rear heel. The important thing is to move and be moving, and keep moving. Stance while ‘standing’ is of very little combat value.
[http://go.to/stickgrappler](http://go.to/stickgrappler)
This website has much info. Check out the Jack Dempsey stuff. The boxing stuff. The JKD stuff. All of it. Very good resource.
You will also find much info on boxing stances and movement at [www.mma.tv](http://www.mma.tv)
Bottom line - mobility.
:eek:
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### Author:  [@chen\_zhen](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/chen_zhen)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/16 "2003-07-18T13:33:30Z")
Thanks:)
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### Author:  [@jmdrake](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jmdrake)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/17 "2003-07-28T16:33:10Z")
> Originally posted by yenhoi
> [B]In the tao he shows two “on-guard” positions. At least in my copy. Note, He didnt do any of this, John Little did. one does have scribbles next to it showing 70 on the front and 30 on the back. The other is text and says 50/50.
Ummm…John Little didn’t have anything to do with the Tao. Perhaps you were thinking “JKD: Bruce Lee Commentaries on the Martial Way”?
>
Regardless we are talking about a static position, which does us very little good considering in combat we wont be standing in one place worring about if our legs are double weighted or 70/30.
True. In combat you are mobile, but you can maintain a particular weight distribution even when you are mobile. Take boxers for instance. As they move around they usually stay in somewhat of a 50/50 stance. It’s a matter of balance.
>
With a raised rear heel, a 70/30 posture is not immobile. As a matter of fact nearly-any weighting is highly mobile with a raised rear heel. The important thing is to move and be moving, and keep moving. Stance while ‘standing’ is of very little combat value.
Well I’ve often drop into a 70/30 posture when I move in with a trap (pak sao for instance) but then I don’t keep my rear heal raised at that point. I’ve heard of “spring loading” the calf and perhaps that’s what you are describing.
>
[http://go.to/stickgrappler](http://go.to/stickgrappler)
This website has much info. Check out the Jack Dempsey stuff. The boxing stuff. The JKD stuff. All of it. Very good resource.
You will also find much info on boxing stances and movement at [www.mma.tv](http://www.mma.tv)
Bottom line - mobility.
Combined with balance. 🙂
Regards,
John M. Drake
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### Author:  [@yenhoi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yenhoi)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/18 "2003-07-28T18:51:26Z")
The ToJKD is a bunch of notes, Bruce Lee did not publish them.
The rest of your comments I agree with.
I consider balance as a part of mobility.
::eek::
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### Author:  [@jmdrake](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/jmdrake)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/19 "2003-07-28T18:57:57Z")
Hello Yenhoi,
Yes I realize that the Tao was a compilation of notes. But I don’t think that John Little was the editor. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure the first Bruce Lee book John Little edited was Commentaries on the martial way. Anyway that’s a minor point. I’m splitting hairs. 🙂
Regards,
John M. Drake
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### Author:  [@yenhoi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/yenhoi)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/stances/21345/20 "2003-07-28T21:06:24Z")
Eh. Same diff to me, still not the man himself.
😃
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