Forward stance

Forward stance (Gong Bu) is one of the three main stances in Chinese Boxing, along with horse stance and Back stance.

When performing forward stance the front leg should be bent to a 90 degree angle with the foot pointing forward, the front knee must be in line with the foot so when you look down at your front foot the knee just covers the big toe. Do not allow your knee to fall to the side; (this will put side pressure on the knee joint which could result in injury) the shin should be vertical when viewed from the front and side, the thigh parallel when viewed from the side.  the back leg should be straight but not locked out with the foot pointing to the side at about 45 degrees, the feet should be about one shoulder width apart and about twice as long as it is wide.

The back must be upright with the hips turned to face forward the weight distribution should be about 70% on the front leg and 30% on the back leg.

This stance should be practiced as low as possible to promote strength and flexibility.

Remember to relax the hip joint so that the hips and shoulders turn to face forward (if you had a head light on your belly button it should point straight ahead), do not lean forward, and keep the torso upright.

All blocks and strikes can be used with this stance.

When moving backwards or forwards in forward stance try to keep at the same height, don’t bounce up and down. If moving forward push off from the back leg driving the hips forward, bring the back leg in to the front leg so that the knees are together, remember stay the same height, then step out forward while keeping the weight back until the foot is placed in position then transfer body forward turning the hips so you end up in forward stance with the hips square. To go backwards push from the front leg to transfer your weight over the back leg so you can step back bringing the knees together, then step back, once your foot is in position turn the hips forward.