Stand like you fight, fight like you stand.

Stance or how we stand plays a very important role in how we fight. Our feet and our legs are the foundation on which we build and execute. Correct foot positioning can be the difference between immobilizing the attacker or us getting knocked out itself. 

Self defense is not just something that you learn it is something you become 24/7. How you stand normally is one of the important factors. Standing calm, non threatening yet ready to lash out and be in position in seconds. This is how someone who trains to defend themselves will ideally stand. Hoping to deescalate but ready to defend.

Stances vary from martial art to martial art. But at it's core and in it's true traditional form they are ready for combat. It is with many martial arts moving towards making the sparring a sport that the stances have changed to accommodate the sparring point system, rather than real combat or self defense on the street. 

In many styles of Karate, Taekwondo etc we can evidently see the influence of sport on the changes in stance for sparring. Wider, springier stances to allow rapidly moving in striking to get the point and moving out before the opponent strikes. I do not say this is bad or not right. It is just different stances for different purposes. 

In Muay Thai, Boxing and MMA the stances are actually perfect for a street defense scenario. With the legs and body in the right position. Could be because these are full contact based and not sport based. 

However we cannot stand in the street with our hands up and legs in position unless we want to invite a fight. In the street effort should always be made to deescalate till there is nothing else that can be done but fight back. So the stance needs to be alert and ready to be in position in seconds. A good stance also supports us in moving forward, side ways and in reverse. Though it is not advisable to move much in reverse on the street unless it is a completely flat terrain because we could just trip over a footpath or any other obstacle while moving in reverse and that could tilt the fight in the favour of the attacker. 

Training in any martial art is always a good thing. But there needs to be a bridge that connects traditional training to the reality on the street. It is this bridge that completes the circle and makes one a well rounded martial artist.

What we are training for decides how we train and the stance we take. We need to know what we are training for and then continue on that path. 

Train like a warrior to be a warrior!!!