Stance

The En Garde is the fundamental ready position in modern Olympic fencing — feet at right angles with the front foot pointing toward the opponent, rear foot perpendicular and roughly shoulder-width behind, both knees deeply bent so the centre of gravity sits between the feet, weapon arm extended toward the opponent, and rear arm raised behind for balance. [1,2] The stance enables explosive forward lunges, equally fast retreats, and the small constant footwork (advances, retreats, ballestras, balestra-lunges) that defines fencing engagements. [1] Each fencing weapon (foil, épée, sabre) has subtle variations in en garde depending on target area and tempo conventions, but the core posture — bent knees, sideways body, weapon-out — is universal. [1,3]

The Horse Stance (kiba-dachi in Japanese, ma bu in Chinese) is a wide low-stance position with both feet pointing forward, knees deeply bent, and weight distributed equally between both legs — as if seated on a horse. [1,2] The torso remains upright and the hips press downward; the depth of the stance directly correlates to the lateral stability and grounding it provides. [1] Used as a static training position to build leg endurance, hip mobility and structural alignment, and as a fighting stance in side-thrust kicks (yoko geri kekomi), middle blocks, and certain hand techniques where lateral force generation matters more than mobility. [1,3] Horse stance is foundational in karate, kung fu, and Korean traditional martial arts, and is one of the first stances taught after natural stance. [2]

The Orthodox Stance subfamily covers the fighting stance with the left foot forward and the right foot back, used by right-handed fighters as the standard stance in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA. [1] The orthodox stance places the power hand (right) in the rear position for maximum power generation on crosses and right hooks, while the lead hand (left) is used for jabs and range-finding. [1,2] Approximately 85-90% of fighters use the orthodox stance, making it the most common fighting stance in all combat sports. [2,3]

The Southpaw Stance subfamily covers the fighting stance with the right foot forward and the left foot back, used by left-handed fighters or as a tactical choice by right-handed fighters who 'switch' stances. [1] The southpaw stance mirrors the orthodox stance, placing the power hand (left) in the rear for maximum power generation. [1,2] Southpaw fighters have a tactical advantage because most opponents are less experienced fighting against the mirrored stance, and the lead-foot-to-lead-foot positioning creates a different dynamic than orthodox-versus-orthodox. [2,3]

The Square Stance subfamily covers the fighting stance where both feet are approximately even, with the body facing the opponent more directly rather than being turned sideways. [1] The square stance provides equal access to techniques from both sides and is commonly used in Muay Thai, where the fighter needs to check kicks from both legs and throw kicks without switching stances. [1,2] While the square stance sacrifices some power generation on rear-hand punches, it provides greater defensive symmetry and versatility. [2,3]

The Staggered Wrestling Stance subfamily covers the low, wide fighting stance used in wrestling, with one foot slightly forward, knees deeply bent, and a low centre of gravity. [1] The wrestling stance is optimised for takedown offence and defence, with the low centre of gravity making it harder for opponents to shoot underneath and the wide base providing stability against throws and trips. [1,2] The stance keeps the hands low and forward, ready to sprawl, underhook, or shoot for takedowns. [2,3]