Purpose: a good default position to train kicking, striking, and combinations from.
The neutral bow is a compromise between mobility and limiting access to targets while still allowing the use of all weapons without having to move around yourself.
There are a lot of variations on hand placement and slight variations on foot placement – the following are good general guidelines.
Other Names: Guard, Basic Guard, Guarding Stance
A Good Neutral Bow
- Feet should be just outside of shoulder width
- Weight should be shifted toward the balls of the feet
- Feet should be parallel and pointing 45 degrees in relation to your opponent/target
- Should be able to draw a line from your back heel through your front toe (toe-heel alignment) to your opponent
- Knees should be bent
- Shoulders should be stacked over the hips
- A more practical position is to drop the chin toward the lead shoulder
- The lead shoulder should be raised toward the chin
- Let the elbows hang and protect the ribs
- Bring the rear fist up close to the jaw
- Bring the lead fist up out in front of the nose
- Not too far forward, but not too close either