Wushu Stances
Encyclopedia
Stance
s are a highly fundamental part of all Chinese Martial Arts
. Wushu
is characterized by low, wide stances designed for mobility and protection. Stability is another key concern of Chinese martial arts, and the wushu stances reflect this sensibility. There are five key stances utilized in both contemporary wushu
and traditional wushu
. Many others exist, and different styles of wushu prescribe a particular protocol for “correct” stance.
), "Xie Bu" (rest stance), "Pu Bu" (flat stance), and "Xu Bu" (false stance).
” or “horse-riding stance,” is a fundamental stance found in nearly all styles of wushu. In actual attack and defense, Ma Bu is sometimes viewed as a transitional stance, from which a practitioner may quickly switch to other stances. The stance typically begins with the feet a shoulder-width apart. The feet are parallel, straight forward, and the knees are bent at 90 degrees. The torso sinks down as if following a plum line and the sacrum curves forward and in or arches. Equal weighting (50-50) is given to each foot, making for a very stable stance. Ma Bu is frequently used for conditioning and building up knee strength. Many kung fu masters required students to be able to hold Ma Bu for at least five minutes before learning the forms of a style.
Different styles of kung fu often teach variations on the horse stance. For instance, in bái hè quán (white crane kung fu), the knees are bent inward and almost touching, unaligned with the toes.
In application, it is popularly used for attacking. The structure of the stance partially protects the groin and allows the martial artist to punch with greater power by driving the rear leg into the ground. Additionally, the rear leg can be quickly drawn forward for kicking attacks.
, the stance was named after a martial artist named Wu Shong, who slew a leaping tiger with the stance during the Song Dynasty
. In this position, the martial artist squats on one leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground and extends the other leg out to the side. Both feet are parallel and pointing forward, relative to the torso, and like Zuo Pan Bu, the practitioner faces the opponent with his/her side.
Versatile in application, Fu Hu Bu can be employed for both attack and defense. A primary application of this stance is defense against high or jumping kicks, as evidenced in the Taiji technique “Strike the Tiger.” Baguazhang
and Taiji forms also use the stance for low hand attacks, such as “Snake Creeps Down” from the Yang-style taijiquan sequence. With Northern Praying Mantis, Fu Hu Bu is applied in Ba Bu Gan Chan, a leaping attack to the opponent’s ankle with the foot. In traditional changquan
forms, such as Yi Lu Mai Fu, the stance is used to pick up objects from ground for use as projectiles during combat.
As with Ma Bu, different styles assume Fu Hu Bu in differing ways.
More importantly, Zuo Pan Bu is the basis for Xie Bu (“crab walking”), which is also called “clandestine steps.” Crab walking is performing by alternating assuming Zuo Pan Bu and Ma Bu, moving to one side. From Ma Bu, stepping to the side with either leg effects a transition to Zuo Pan Bu. Using the other leg, the next step to the side returns the practitioner to Ma Bu and the process iterates. The overall effect is rapid movement to one side. Nearly all combat applications of Zuo Pan Bu involve Xie Bu to some degree.
, the sport established by the People’s Republic of China. Contemporary wushu practitioners often perform stances such as Ma Bu and Deng Shan Bu lower than traditional wushu practitioners. In contrast, Northern traditional wushu masters usually teach higher, more practical versions of all five stances and a number of other stances, most notably Si-Liu Bu, Jin Ji Du Li, Tun Bu, and Qi Lin Bu.
Si-Liu Bu is a highly functional stance that often serves as a standard guard position in many styles of wushu; it has great utility, allowing the martial artist to initiate nearly any technique in this stance. From Si-Liu Bu, one may switch to any one of the other stances with minimal effort. The stance is highly mobile, used for swiftly stepping forward or backwards, “changing legs,” or leaping to the other side of an opponent.
A number of jumping techniques are also executed from Si-Liu Bu, such as Yiou Bu. Translated as “hop jump,” Yiou Bu is used to either advance or retreat over a short distance. It is essentially a large hop forwards or backwards, propelled by a thrust from the back or front leg, respectively. Because of the large spread of the legs, Si-Li Bu is an extremely stable stance.
stands on one leg,” is popularly known as the crane stance, used heavily in karate
. It is formed by raising one knee to its maximum height. The facing can be either to the front or the side, relative to the opponent. As with karate, Jin Ji Du Li is used as a platform for frontal kicks, as well as side kicks. It is also frequently employed defensively to deflect low to middle height kicks. Lastly, it is used in Northern styles for Tiao Bu (“jump step”) and Dan Tiao (“single-jump”), two techniques of movement for advance or retreat. it is also known as the crane stance in shaolin wushu kung fu
technique. Punches and kicks, as well as jump kicks, can be executed easily from Tun Bu. Most praying mantis exponents assume a higher version of Tun Bu, in which the thigh is not parallel to the ground.
Stance
Stance is a morpheme meaning stand, used in several ways:* to take a position in an argument, a stand on a given issue;* refers to a particular standing postureThere are also a wide variety of stances adopted in martial arts and sports:* boxing stances...
s are a highly fundamental part of all Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
. Wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
is characterized by low, wide stances designed for mobility and protection. Stability is another key concern of Chinese martial arts, and the wushu stances reflect this sensibility. There are five key stances utilized in both contemporary wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
and traditional wushu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
. Many others exist, and different styles of wushu prescribe a particular protocol for “correct” stance.
Contemporary Wushu Stances
In contemporary wushu there are five basic stances: "Gong Bu" (bow stance), ”Ma Bu" (horse stanceHorse stance
The horse stance is an important posture in Asian martial arts and takes its name from the position assumed when riding a horse. It is called mǎbù in Chinese, in Japanese, kekuda or kuda-kuda in Malay, asvavadivu in Malayalam, and juchum seogi or annun seogi in Korean...
), "Xie Bu" (rest stance), "Pu Bu" (flat stance), and "Xu Bu" (false stance).
Ma Bu
Ma Bu, known as “horse stanceHorse stance
The horse stance is an important posture in Asian martial arts and takes its name from the position assumed when riding a horse. It is called mǎbù in Chinese, in Japanese, kekuda or kuda-kuda in Malay, asvavadivu in Malayalam, and juchum seogi or annun seogi in Korean...
” or “horse-riding stance,” is a fundamental stance found in nearly all styles of wushu. In actual attack and defense, Ma Bu is sometimes viewed as a transitional stance, from which a practitioner may quickly switch to other stances. The stance typically begins with the feet a shoulder-width apart. The feet are parallel, straight forward, and the knees are bent at 90 degrees. The torso sinks down as if following a plum line and the sacrum curves forward and in or arches. Equal weighting (50-50) is given to each foot, making for a very stable stance. Ma Bu is frequently used for conditioning and building up knee strength. Many kung fu masters required students to be able to hold Ma Bu for at least five minutes before learning the forms of a style.
Different styles of kung fu often teach variations on the horse stance. For instance, in bái hè quán (white crane kung fu), the knees are bent inward and almost touching, unaligned with the toes.
Gong Bu
Translated as "bow stance", Gong Bu is also known as "Deng Shan Bu" (mountain-climbing stance) or "Gong Jian Bu" (bow and arrow stance). The lead foot is pointed straight ahead, with the lead leg bent slightly. The trailing foot is angled outward at a 45 degree angle, with the heel lined up with the heel of the leading foot. The trailing leg can be held straight or slightly bent. The result is a "lunging" pose. In southern styles, the toe is if it had stayed in Ma Bu; starting in Ma Bu, the hind leg steps forward and turns while the front leg stays in the same position. In northern styles, the toe points forward. The given weighting is 70% on the front foot and 30% on the rear.In application, it is popularly used for attacking. The structure of the stance partially protects the groin and allows the martial artist to punch with greater power by driving the rear leg into the ground. Additionally, the rear leg can be quickly drawn forward for kicking attacks.
Fu Hu Bu
Fu Hu Bu is translated as “tame the tiger stance.” Other names include “drop stance” or Pu Bu, “flat stance.” According to changquan master Yang Jwing-MingJwing-Ming Yang
Jwing-Ming Yang started his martial arts training at the age of fifteen under the Shaolin White Crane Master Cheng, Gin Gsao . In thirteen years of study under Master Cheng, Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts. Dr...
, the stance was named after a martial artist named Wu Shong, who slew a leaping tiger with the stance during the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
. In this position, the martial artist squats on one leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground and extends the other leg out to the side. Both feet are parallel and pointing forward, relative to the torso, and like Zuo Pan Bu, the practitioner faces the opponent with his/her side.
Versatile in application, Fu Hu Bu can be employed for both attack and defense. A primary application of this stance is defense against high or jumping kicks, as evidenced in the Taiji technique “Strike the Tiger.” Baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
and Taiji forms also use the stance for low hand attacks, such as “Snake Creeps Down” from the Yang-style taijiquan sequence. With Northern Praying Mantis, Fu Hu Bu is applied in Ba Bu Gan Chan, a leaping attack to the opponent’s ankle with the foot. In traditional changquan
Changquan
Chángquán refers to a family of external martial arts styles from northern China.The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system...
forms, such as Yi Lu Mai Fu, the stance is used to pick up objects from ground for use as projectiles during combat.
As with Ma Bu, different styles assume Fu Hu Bu in differing ways.
Xuan Ji Bu
Xuan Ji Bu is rendered as the “false” or “tricky leg” stance, associated with kicking attacks. Popular alternative labels include the "empty stance" or "cat stance.” Xuan Ji Bu is assumed by placing one’s entire body weight on a single leg and extending the other leg in front to lightly touch the ground. Since the frontal leg has no weight placed on it, it can be used to launch fast kicks. It is sometimes used in conjunction with other stances for evasive actions.Zuo Pan Bu
Zuo Pan Bu (interpreted as “sitting on crossed legs stance”) is known by a number of names, such as the contemporary wushu “cross stance” or “rest stance.” It can be assumed by beginning in Ma Bu, pivoting counterclockwise on the right toe, and crouching down with the back straight. The result is a cross-legged stance that can be used for initiating attacks or defending, while facing the opponent with one’s side. The crossed legs protect the groin from attacks and prepare the practitioner for a side kick.More importantly, Zuo Pan Bu is the basis for Xie Bu (“crab walking”), which is also called “clandestine steps.” Crab walking is performing by alternating assuming Zuo Pan Bu and Ma Bu, moving to one side. From Ma Bu, stepping to the side with either leg effects a transition to Zuo Pan Bu. Using the other leg, the next step to the side returns the practitioner to Ma Bu and the process iterates. The overall effect is rapid movement to one side. Nearly all combat applications of Zuo Pan Bu involve Xie Bu to some degree.
Traditional Wushu Stances
The five stances—Ma Bu, Deng Shan Bu, Zuo Pan Bu, Fu Hu Bu, and Xuan Ji Bu—are the five basic stances taught in contemporary wushuWushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
, the sport established by the People’s Republic of China. Contemporary wushu practitioners often perform stances such as Ma Bu and Deng Shan Bu lower than traditional wushu practitioners. In contrast, Northern traditional wushu masters usually teach higher, more practical versions of all five stances and a number of other stances, most notably Si-Liu Bu, Jin Ji Du Li, Tun Bu, and Qi Lin Bu.
Si-Liu Bu
Si-Liu Bu is the “four-six stance,” used heavily as a defensive posture. It is named for the fact that 40% of the weight is on the leading foot and 60% on the rear foot. The stance is somewhat similar to Deng Shan Bu, with the exception of the greater weight distribution over the rear leg. The lead foot is oriented slightly to its opposite side (left foot gravitates right; vice versa) and the rear foot is almost aligned with it. The rear knee is turned inward toward the groin and the front knee is bent.Si-Liu Bu is a highly functional stance that often serves as a standard guard position in many styles of wushu; it has great utility, allowing the martial artist to initiate nearly any technique in this stance. From Si-Liu Bu, one may switch to any one of the other stances with minimal effort. The stance is highly mobile, used for swiftly stepping forward or backwards, “changing legs,” or leaping to the other side of an opponent.
A number of jumping techniques are also executed from Si-Liu Bu, such as Yiou Bu. Translated as “hop jump,” Yiou Bu is used to either advance or retreat over a short distance. It is essentially a large hop forwards or backwards, propelled by a thrust from the back or front leg, respectively. Because of the large spread of the legs, Si-Li Bu is an extremely stable stance.
Jin Ji Du Li
Jin Ji Du Li, translated as “golden roosterRooster
A rooster, also known as a cockerel, cock or chanticleer, is a male chicken with the female being called a hen. Immature male chickens of less than a year's age are called cockerels...
stands on one leg,” is popularly known as the crane stance, used heavily in karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. It is formed by raising one knee to its maximum height. The facing can be either to the front or the side, relative to the opponent. As with karate, Jin Ji Du Li is used as a platform for frontal kicks, as well as side kicks. It is also frequently employed defensively to deflect low to middle height kicks. Lastly, it is used in Northern styles for Tiao Bu (“jump step”) and Dan Tiao (“single-jump”), two techniques of movement for advance or retreat. it is also known as the crane stance in shaolin wushu kung fu
Tun Bu
Most clearly associated with Northern praying mantis, Tun Bu is the “swallow stance,” related to Fu Hu Bu. Like the former, it can be used to defend against jump attacks. It is formed by squatting on a single leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground and extending the other foot to touch the ground. Unlike Fu Hu Bu, the extended foot contacts the ground with only the heel and faces forward. This stance can be used to trap the opponent’s foot to set up a shuai jiaoShuai jiao
Shuai jiao is the general Mandarin Chinese term for wrestling. As a generic name, it may be used to cover various styles of wrestling practised in China in the form of a martial arts system or a sport. The narrower term pertains to wrestling styles of the North China Plain...
technique. Punches and kicks, as well as jump kicks, can be executed easily from Tun Bu. Most praying mantis exponents assume a higher version of Tun Bu, in which the thigh is not parallel to the ground.