by Tarandus » Wed May 09, 2007 4:14 pm
Tai Chi sword uses this stance. As mentioned elswhere here, the stance is 60% on the back foot, 40% on the front. It is an extremely versatile stance in Tai Chi sword. Also, in Western fencing, the 'en garde' position is similar. In his book on Taiji sword, classical Yang style, Master Yang says:
'This is one of the most versatile stances in Chinese martial arts. From this stance, the martial artist can switch into various techniques with relative ease. In this stance, 40 percent of the weight is on the front leg, while 60 percent is on the back leg. The knee of the front leg should be turned slightly inward, and be kept slightly bent. Never straighten the knee in this stance, because, if a kick were to land on the locked knee, it could easily break it. The front foot should be at a 15 degree angle inward. In addition, the back knee must be flexed and turned inward toward the groin. The back knee and the toes of the back foot should line up with each other. Otherwise, damage to the knee could result.'
As for pain in the back foot, this might in some cases be due to not turning the back foot out far enough. The back foot should be at 90 degrees to the front. Thus the angle between front and back feet is 75 degrees. The movement is difficult to judge because the difference in weighting is only 20 percent and it is easy to end up being double weighted, or alternatively, having too much weight on the back foot. Of the two, it is probably better to be weighted too much towards the rear than be double weighted. Kind regards, T.
'Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions. Live the questions now. You will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.' Rainer Maria Rilke.