Twist Stance Defense

[warrior-scholar]

This may perhaps fit elsewhere in the Forum:

In a Freestyle setting, has anyone seriously trained the twist stance as a defense against shoots (straight, leg-takedowns etc.)? At first glance it seemed counterintuitive to twist in a manner that turns the centerline towards such an attacker, but our experimentation to this point has yielded some positive results. The twist stance has some nice advantages if you are somehow unable to sprawl or retreat off-angle.

A. The swift rotation of the body, along with the dropping of one's weight does a nice job of preventing a solid grab and can throw the attacker off-balance as well.

B. The rotation and weight shift also adds some nice power to a rear hand downward strike to various targets.

C. An immediate rear leg knee can be executed out of the twist stance to further attack and destabilize an attempted takedown from middle or low levels.

D. The twist is very fast in its execution, which is useful when dealing with very competent, quick and powerful grapplers/wrestlers.

Of course this must be practiced in a freestyle setting in concert with striking and unannounced grappling attempts. Also, I am not claiming that the twist stance is a "magic bullet" of sorts. In fact, I believe "not being there" is the best option against any takedown attempt. In a sport context it may not be as effective because of the padded gloves, which will prevent the impact of possible strikes to the face and mastoid process. However, the training that I and my senior students have undergone to this point has opened up the possibility that the twist stance may be a useful tool in the combat sports; certainly in self-defense.

[administrator]

Good experimentation.
The only thing that I would add as a caution is to check for stability. Have your partner to give a good shove at your hip (pelvic crest) when you go into your twist.

Twist stances are very good at advancing and retreating without changing sides, and to assist in rotational momentum.

Things to think about:
- Filipino Martial Arts do not use them as they can trip you up while in combat
- You won't find Joe Lewis teaching the stance for the same reason as above
- All stances are transitional in Kenpo, except the neutral bow, so be sure that you are going somewhere with it.

This time of year is great to experiment stances on icy surfaces.
My brother and I worked footwork drills (with strikes) on an icy parking lot and found them to require a different set of rules. I'll let you figure it out as it will aid your learning and training.

Kevin Lamkin

[warrior-scholar]

"Have your partner to give a good shove at your hip (pelvic crest) when you go into your twist." We started out with a shove and moved into very aggressive tackles, grabs, spears. It seems to hold up as long as you don't rest in the stance.

"- Filipino Martial Arts do not use them as they can trip you up while in combat"
And yet we can't seem to trip up the opponent too often or with limited success when this is used with dynamism. Also, I want to reiterate that I wouldn't do this as a first or second option, but certainly am considering the possibility if caught off guard.

"- All stances are transitional in Kenpo, except the neutral bow, so be sure that you are going somewhere with it."
No doubt, we usually swing the lead leg around and out of the path of the attacker as we use our checking hand and striking hand to guide him elsewhere.

As a transition from a bad position (being tackled with limited space or grappled low with limited space) to a safer position I think it might prove useful. It seems retreating into a twist stance IS more problematic as far as being tripped up than rotating into one dynamically. We will need to continue our experimentation...tonight!

[administrator]

I know how you and Trysten train, so I am sure it will be a good workout.

I like the use of the knee that you mentioned. I would add elbows too.

Kevin Lamkin