Pivoting/Weight on ball of feet vs. Flat footed step

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MatrixMA

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This is probably a question asked time and time again. But are there any real differences between the two? I see that Thai vs Dutch styles show a preference in the two.
 
You will always be quicker off the ball and able to pivote better = better kicks.

Being on the flat uses less energy and sets you up to box (hands) a little better.
 
laterally rotating your hips while on a flat foot is asking for knee damage (ask bas rutten). always pivot off of the ball of your foot.
 
Do you mean when kicking or when punching? I do not understand how anyone can pivot on the flat foot?
 
If you stay on the balls of your feet you are much more mobile and can move better and may also help with kicks. Being flat footed conserves energy and you can punch harder but you need to be could at cutting off the ring if you want to catch an opponent who moves well
 
For kicking, punching or in general?

In my opinion generally, it depends on what your doing. As people said there are advantages to both. The most common way of standing and moving is on the balls of your feet because theoretically you are more mobile with your weight on your toes already loaded up to move.

Better explanation in this video at 2:43...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A9rOjmKips&feature=player_embedded

However there are many instances in which people effectively use heel to toe footwork. If you look at any good boxer/thai fighter most likely they are neither always flat-footed nor always on there toes. Some examples of heel to toe can be seen in this video at various points.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu_CPcRBCXQ

As for during kicks if you watch the video of Bas I think the main point he was trying to make is that your not gaining power through your pivot but rather your pivoting due to the moment of your leg. So when you step out to kick you can turn your foot to the position it should be in, stand flatter, and completely follow through with your kick. Standing flat footed has the advantage of being more grounded so you can throw harder.

But the down side is if your kicking pads thats all well and good but in real sparring/fighting there is truth to the fact that being on the ball of your foot if you get caught off balance or throw a bad kick can save you from potential knee injuries. I have bad knees so I try and stay a little bit more on my toes but i remember to focus on that step out and using the tension in my hips to generate power rather then emphasizing the pivot.

Edit: Sorry don't know how to embed
 
That's a great point cj, so I can pretty much use the step out, but really emphasise it, while pivoting on the balls of my feet to avoid knee injury.
 
Yup just remember you may not even have to pivot if you step out correctly. But by staying more on the ball of your foot if you do slip or get caught you will end up pivoting rather then twisting the joint at the knee.
 
Agreed with everyone above, pivoting when punching is a bad habit. Pivoting while kicking is required.
 
cjwhitt51 said:
2. For kicking, punching or in general?

2. In my opinion generally, it depends on what your doing. As people said there are advantages to both. The most common way of standing and moving is on the balls of your feet because theoretically you are more mobile with your weight on your toes already loaded up to move.

3. Better explanation in this video at 2:43...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A9rOjmKips&feature=player_embedded

4. However there are many instances in which people effectively use heel to toe footwork. If you look at any good boxer/thai fighter most likely they are neither always flat-footed nor always on there toes. Some examples of heel to toe can be seen in this video at various points.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu_CPcRBCXQ

5. As for during kicks if you watch the video of Bas I think the main point he was trying to make is that your not gaining power through your pivot but rather your pivoting due to the moment of your leg. So when you step out to kick you can turn your foot to the position it should be in, stand flatter, and completely follow through with your kick. Standing flat footed has the advantage of being more grounded so you can throw harder.

6. But the down side is if your kicking pads thats all well and good but in real sparring/fighting there is truth to the fact that being on the ball of your foot if you get caught off balance or throw a bad kick can save you from potential knee injuries. I have bad knees so I try and stay a little bit more on my toes but i remember to focus on that step out and using the tension in my hips to generate power rather then emphasizing the pivot.

Edit: Sorry don't know how to embed
Click to expand...

All good points....

1. karate punch or kick relies on same base....

2. Nice demo of boxing stance dynamics for both mobility & strong body mechanics. :cool:

3. The boxer in the 1st link gives a good recount how the typical-sport karate fighter compensates for the inherent immobility of the flat-footed nature of most karate stances....

4. TMA generally does not do an exaggerated heel to toe, more natural stepping is the base.

5. Traditional karate power comes from a bottom-up, ground up stance....

6. Weak or poor traditional karate posture can & does lead to knee injuries. The standard boxing stance avoids this by being less 'planted.'

the convention of fixed stances of traditional karate is a tremendous disadvantage to unskilled karateka. this is true even when adopting the 'highly-mobile' 'springing & flexing & jumping & bruce lee-like running all around. I'll put up a great vid Jukai peed on me for commenting on @ another T.

^^^ the above is one of a number of driving reasons why karateka leave traditional karate conventions and adopt a boxing or kickboxing stances once they begin sparring....

KarateStylist
 
Last edited:
Why do dutch kickboxers seem to kick flatfooted?
 
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