SOME THOUGHTS REGARDING 'STANCE'
I'm currently absorbed in learning and training boxing, freestyle wrestling, savate and Vigny cane fighting.
That's probably enough to be going on with (at one time!) and adding jiujitsu and 'street' tactics and methods (multiple opponents, weapons, 'dirty' fighting) rounds this kind of approach off nicely.
This is why I've subtitled my first workshop 'MMA for the Street';
a range and mix of styles and arts can allow us to develop 'bespoke' systems and plans for our individual self protection needs (which vary, from person to person).
This may in a way seem like it has nothing to do with the title of this thread; the key word of which is 'stance'.
I've been thinking about this recently, what with having to shift, adapt and tailor the way I move and operate, between different classes and sparring sessions.
Boxing has it's 'orthodoxy' as regards fighting stance; from foot position, to where and how the hands are held, etc. Wrestling, too- although this sport seems to allow (require?) a little more FLUIDITY and less RIGIDITY as to how you stand and move.
Modern savate and La Canne Vigny (as I'm being taught it, through Bartitsu sources) suffer from that old pitfall of 'form' and 'aesthetics'; where the positions are dictated possibly as much by rules and/or philosophy as by what the changing dynamic of a fight dictates.
I used a word in the last paragraph; 'positions'.
This seems a much more useful, and indeed accurate, term for
the ways we stand and move, that allow us to operate our defense and offense, and shut down those of the opponent/s, as successfully as possible.
Beginners may be taught 'stances' and technique ('keep your hands up!', 'don't step through with your cross!', 'don't cross your feet!') that have a very solid reason and function- but not one that you'll necessary ALWAYS see demonstrated by very successful people within the sports/arts.
Combat is a dynamic affair; often to the point of chaos (outside of the gym/hall/ring/dojo/mat, this is CERTAINLY the case).
A 'stance', as it's often understood, CANNOT by definition be 'how we fight'- because to fight, you have to actually MOVE at some point! LOL
So, they represent 'positions', that may fleetingly (or for longer periods) provide some benefits and some possibilities within the open-ended, complex 'violent puzzle'.
But the 'best' position in some cases, just happens to be the one we actually find ourselves in, at the moment we need to- or are best able to- act.
If we were focused on the best possible stance, for me it would be something like, for example, looking down the scope of a sniper rifle, while my opponent is stood taking a piss, or that my opponent is drunk and asleep, and I'm looming above him with a crowbar.
'Stances' and 'form' etc., may be used as MODELS for some useful elements of positions, but to get obsessed with recreating them perfectly, is to miss the idea that what we're trying to do is hit and not get hit, or dominate the opponent so completely that he has no chance.
We may well not succeed in that, but that's what we're looking for (that or just escaping), in every instance; to facilitate our own work and negate the enemy's.
We should never forget that most martial arts and combat sports have been designed, developed and are practiced- at least in part- with spectators in mind.
They contain an element of ENTERTAINMENT; of 'SHOW'.
If we're looking to dissuade or deter an attacker (potential or otherwise), then display has it's place.
Likewise, when we are feinting, drawing or otherwise looking to deceive or manipulate the other.
Boxers talk about giving the opponent different 'looks', for them to try to work out.
The bottom line is, though, that the best 'position' to use is the one (or ANY one!) that actually works in a given moment.
This is one of the great things we're seeing from MMA.
The mixture of different approaches, abilities and challenges 'thrown into the mix' means that a consistently successful fighter has to be able to be CREATIVE, and adapt to situations and seize opportunities quickly and effectively.
Beginners learn techniques, whereas it's so many different 'intangible' factors and experience, talent and intuition (and some luck?!) that lead to their successful use.
A fight might look beautiful (if you're lucky), but it'll more probably look (and feel) like a mess.
Being able to impose and/or seize your will or goals in this storm is what will (or won't) lead to your survival or victory (sometimes the two are the same thing).
Form should follow function; and NOT the other way round....