For the last few weeks I have been trying to do my turning on the heel of my feets, instead of the whole sole like im used to. But I just cant seem to get it right, and it really bugs me.
So I think I will throw myself at your mercy.
How are you doing it exactly, are you moving both feet at the same time, or one at a time?
how do distribute your weight during turning?
hey jesper
We move one foot at a time, but when done quickly, may appear to be both at the same time.
As for weight distribution, we use the 0/100 approach, so when turned at say 45 degrees from YJKYM, weight distribution is around 30/70 or so, and as the turn approaches 90 degrees, we approach 0/100. Hope this is of some help :o)
I figured it would be something like that.
We use the same distribution as you, and also move one foot at a time.
What bothers me is that I seem to loose my balance when I try to go at normal speed or when Im put on the slightest pressure. But since so many people uses it, I figured it must be me :).
Ah well I have managed to master my turning on the sole (almost) and are pretty good using the ball of my feet, so I will get there in time… I hope 
Jesper,
try moving your lead foot into position first and then move your weight onto the back leg - (with the whole foot). It takes a bit of practice but you might find it easier.
Jesper
From your description, it sounds as if you have been reasonably successful to date in learning to utilize your entire foot during turns. What is your motiviation to retrain yourself to turn on the heel instead?
What advantages and disadvantages do you see for whole foot versus heel turning respectively?
Also, would you mind clarifying whether you mean ball of the heel or near the heel?
Just curious to understand your situation better.
Regards,
woops
After waking up this morning and doing a little practice, weight distribution at 45 degrees is more like 10/90.
foot control
If you are unable to control how your feet are moving, regardless of where the weight is being placed - as we should train to have the ability to move our feet in the various ways, with the various pressures - it is suggestive of an inadequacy in another part of your body.
Hello Kj
Well in my lineage we turn on the whole foot, but unfortunately I have learned the hard way that its not always practically, namely when I was sparring on grass wearing new sneakers. My feets kinda stuck to the ground :(.
Thats why I learned to use the ball (part near the toes) to turn, in case I got into similar situations for real.
Since then I have discovered that sometimes you are best of turning on your whole foot, sometimes on your ball, so now I study both ways intensly.
Anyway a couple of weeks back, I talked to a friend of mine who had broken his foot, and he was only able to support his leg on the heel. So I thought that hey, I have been in that situation too, and it could happen again, so why not be prepared.
So if I cant do it properly now, what will happen if I get into an unfortunate situation in the future.
Besides its good to sometimes take what you think is correct and redo it in another fashion. You will get surprised at some of the discoveries you do.
Now to answer your question about advantage vs disadvantage, and remember its all subjective
Flat foot gives me lots of stability when I turn + Im able to reverse my turning much more swiftly. Unfortunately I have discovered it doesnt work on all surface/shoe combos.
Ball of foot gives me some stability, my turning is a bit looser (for lack of better word) and it works on some surface/shoe combo where flat foot doesnt. Unfortunately for me it doesnt work on all surface/shoe combos. Moreover I loose some stability in my turning and I also sense a small loss of control over my opponent.
Heel… Still figuring that one out
Signs of a good learner
Thanks for your good explanation. Kudos for practical experimentation, and thoughtfully working through the variables.
Regards,
I use the heel for shifting while deploying my shifted elbow up. IMHO I feel more stable and able to affect/cancel the force of the inbound strike…hmmm… example wise:
Kind of like a regular swinging door (using balls if heel) - if a sturdy heavy door swings at you it will possess good force ( for elbow up effect/cancellation ). If it is a spinning door (using middle of the feet) IMO it is easier to stop or get through…I find that I don’t get the cancellation/effect with using the middle.
In the end it depends on what your turning/shifting’ purpose is for.
Regards
Whatever one is comfortable with is ok by me. In application all kinds of changes take place. But for development purposes in chum kiu-mine is apparently against the grain of the posts thus far. I do NOT turn one foot at a time, I do not bounce. use the whole foot for control, but the heel for the pivoting point without leaning back on my heel. Same for most brothers, sisters and students. No debate…just comparing. Thanks for sharing what you do.
Turn your body and your feet will follow…they are connected.
Turning
Originally posted by yuanfen
But for development purposes in chum kiu-mine is apparently against the grain of the posts thus far. I do NOT turn one foot at a time, I do not bounce. use the whole foot for control, but the heel for the pivoting point without leaning back on my heel. Same for most brothers, sisters and students.
Hi Yuanfen,
Yours sounds like what I imagine I’m doing in chum kiu. To turn 180 degrees, I turn my unweighted (front) leg’s knee in first and my feet do a sort of imitation of a windshield wiper as my weight shifts to my back (formerly front) leg. I think it’s important to turn all at once, not one foot at a time.
Nice subject for a thread.
used to do it that way
before i joined a different school. in both cases, the weighting is more or less 0/100, so i think thats an important concern vis. turning and how fast smooth & stable its done. ive no experience with 50/50 so its no criticism, here.
the heel turn is a little less stable, for me, but i hadn’t done it extremely long or anything. it can (not guaranteed) provide a little more weight behind, say, a punch thats following through, but also provides that much more body to be used by an opponent. little things can make a difference.
we picked the foot up to various degrees, thus emphasizing the heel in a turn. i didn’t question it at the time.
The feet don’t necessarily have to move in the same way.
Hey I just want to point out that if the surface is preventing your shift, you can pick up the feet to turn, one foot at a time.
fajing
Sure that is the difference between development and application in specific circumstances.
fajing
also when you are wearing thick ugly shoes.
J:
Try a flat shoes like the ones used in bowling which you can get in a sport store. They are really great for shifting in the horse. Or you can try puma which my brand of choice for wing chun gear. The old kunfg fu slippers are great too but not enough protection and support for me.
Once you can shift better without tention you can wear anything. But beginners who wear running shoes are going find shifting on the horse a bit difficult. Wearing the proper gear will help you focus on the right shifting technique than fighting the fiction on the ground.
Good luck and train harder.
Bao
Originally posted by S.Teebas
Turn your body and your feet will follow…they are connected.
Agreed…What are we trying to shift here, our feet?
I think not. What is the purpose of the shift? To move your feet? Again, I think not.
Maybe I’ve got it all wrong here, but this sounds like a case of the cart pulling the horse 
Matrix