Learning how to stand correctly in Martial Arts practice is one of the most basic maneuvers to study. In the first photo above is a look at the Kenpo Karate stance footwork called the neutral bow by Master Larry Tatum – 10th Dan Kenpo Karate. The second photo shows what I call the “Square Stance” of Master Rickson Gracie – 8th Dan Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
At first glance of both stances, one can see that Larry’s stance is more angled while Rickson’s is wider and much more open. The benefits of both stances are found in practice and training. I want to explore how each stance counters a kick to the groin. Before this, it must be noted that many Gracie Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors do not teach Rickson Gracie’s “Square Stance” in their curriculum. Sadly, stance work is not addressed thoroughly in Gracie Jiu Jitsu and is one of the most neglected aspects of Jiu Jitsu from Brazil training.
In the neutral bow, your stance has your feet angled at 45 degrees. There is an alignment with your front toes and rearfoot heel. The weight-distribution in your legs is 50/50 and the shoulders are also angled. For Rickson Gracie’s “Square Stance,” the front foot is forward with the toes while the back leg is not aligned but wider; also, the shoulders are not angled but forward. I like to say it like this, “For the square stance, your feet are shoulder-width apart in a fighting stance, but your back foot takes an additional step out wider…the the student does and I say just a little bit more with a smile.” The magic of both stances is found in how one can maneuver to get to another place against an opponent and how to use your weight-distribution to have a solid structure under stress for defense, attack, or both at once. This is another discussion for another time.
The person that is not trained in Martial Arts typically uses a front or rear kick that starts from the ground moving upward to the groin. A trained Martial Artist, meanwhile, uses a front kick by first lifting the knee up and then driving the kick to the groin quickly. This is the classic front kick.
One issue with the Rickson Gracie square stance is the positioning of the leg work. The groin is open to any type of kick regardless if the person is trained or not in how to throw a front kick. Also, when the front foot is straight, the novice untrained person’s up kick often can use the leg to ride up to the target. Almost by accident, the person that does not know how to properly throw the kick can use the leg of the other person for assistance to hit the groin as the target. The foot just simply slides right up. In contrast, Larry Tatum’s stance by designed counters this problem because the front leg is angled at 45 degrees. A novice kick will be stopped at the knee in the Kenpo Karate neutral bow. It acts as a nice shield.
All is not lost in Rickson Gracie’s square stance to protect against the untrained upward kick, however. By design Rickson’s stance invites the upward kick and I am here to tell that he knows this. His defense to the upward kick, without using movement as the defense, is to bring the front leg up and angle his foot 45 degrees. Gracie will use this block as a leg check in a similar way to Tatum’s stance. Rickson uses a shield before the kick hits the target while Larry uses his shield before the kick is even thrown. This is what I refer to as The Shield (Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu) vs Tilted Shield Concept (Kenpo Karate).
During my seminars of Jiu Jitsu, I always joke with instructors and students that one day I want to do a seminar that only teaches stance work in Jiu Jitsu. Now I am thinking that some time into the future I would like to do two seminars that teach stance work for Jiu Jitsu and Kenpo for self-defense. I can predict that many principles of both arts will be highlighted for better application of basic techniques. For now, I wanted to help you with The Shield vs Tilted Shield Concept. – T –
Part 2 – What Do You Stand For? Tatum VS Gracie
To The Reader
The author will be most happy to receive your comments, including criticisms and suggestions. Noteworthy comments may be included in future editions or books on this series.
For more information about Rickson Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu, visit www.jjgf.com and checkout the Self Defense Unit. Likewise, for more information about Larry Tatum’s Kenpo Karate, visit www.ltatum.com.
For more information about Tony Pacenski’s books and instructional in Martial Arts, visit:
www.soulfight.net – Books, Instructionals, and Gear.
www.gunjiuniversity.com – Military Arresting Technique – Books, Instructionals, and Certifications.
Written by Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
2 June 2020
