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TYPES OF X-STANCE
Author: Alex Simkins
The X-stance is found in basic techniques, forms, and at times during three-step and sparring. For many, the stance has undoubtedly seemed decorative and of little utility for practical application. Xstance has a usefulness beyond its obvious outer features. X-Stance contains many hidden lessons in balance, agility, power, speed and accuracy which are fundamental to the development of advanced Tae Kwon Do.
The X-stance is never found in lower level forms or techniques, but is performed in various ways at the upper intermediate and advanced levels. When the stance is fully understood, many applications will suggest themselves.
TYPES OF X-STANCE
The X-stance can be performed in three major ways. The most common application is from the side-facing position, with the forward leg crossed over in front. The second is from the side-facing position with the forward leg crossed in back. The stance can also be performed facing forward, with the front leg crossed behind. All positions have the trailing leg placed so that the foot is positioned with both feet raised. This permits secondary moves which are described later.
When executing an X-stance, body weight can be distributed more over the bent front leg, over the trailing leg or distributed evenly on both legs. This allows varieties of shifting maneuvers and pivots which may be followed by other applications. X-stances can also be performed with a body lean, while dodging, and at the four possible diagonals to the opponent. Ground techniques can be executed from the X-stance. If the knee of the training leg is bent lower, the body approaches the ground, permitting a transition to floor techniques.
X-stance is not as stable as a large horse or front stance. The practitioner must learn to balance forces with the legs fairly close together and crossed. When balance is maintained in the X-stance, other stances are strengthened in the process. The stance can be isolated and drills performed where the practitioner moves into an Xstance after a quick step, a leap, a jump, and a twist from a horse stance. Experiment with random movement in and out of X-stance from varying positions and steps, almost like shadow-boxing, until the stance feels comfortable and
can be held easily. The knees can be bent deeper to help maintain balance. The back should be straight even if a forward lean is given to the body.
X-STANCE IN BASICS
Tae Kwon Do's quick, powerful advancing side kick owes some of its effectiveness to the X-stance. The practitioner's cross step toward the opponent not only moves him into range bu t also helps to position his body for optimum execution of a strong side kick. Most Tae Kwon Doists practice a series of side kicks in basics and use the cross step between kicks for advancement. This drill can be easily varied by cross stepping behind instead of in front to set up a kick or spinning kick.
X-STANCE FORMS
All forms of Tae Kwon Do, old as well as new, contain several illustrations of the use of the X-stance for attack and defense, with combinations to assist in development of footwork maneuvers, balance and evasion.
The three X-stance positions with (left) side facing, trailing leg crossed behind the bent leg; (above) side facing, trailing leg crossed in front of the bent leg; and (right) front facing, trailing leg crossed beside the bent leg.
Pyong An IV has an advancing combination of moves consisting of a simultaneous upward knifehand block and knife-hand strike to the neck, followed by a front kick, then a jumping counterattacking back-fist. The stance used for the landing is a forward Xstance. The practitioner learns to control his front kick and develop balance and agility as he utilizes the X-stance.
In the next move of Pyong An IV, the practitioner performs a counterclockwise turn, 270 degrees to the diagonal, which untwists the stance and generates centrifugal force for an advancing step into a front stance, hands ready to execute the next move. The hand motion may be interpreted as an offensive lapel grab and pull, a defensive double wedging block against middle target punches, or other two-handed moves, such as a grappling arm bar type of arm lock to the back of the opponent's arm.
Two uses of the X-stance are thus practised: the first as a balancing stance for the advancing, leaping back-fist attack, and the second as a spring-loaded preparatory position for a rotation and advance to face a new angle and a new opponent.
Pyong An V utilizes the X-stance three times. In one application, the practitioner steps into a side-facing X-stance to perform a high, focused double-arm block towards one opponent. Then, turning towards another target at 180 degrees, the practitioner steps out to spring into the air and land in an X-stance with a low X-block. This is followed by a forward step toward another opponent while applying a double-arm block. Toi Gye Hyung uses the same move.
In both of these forms, a strong counterattack is launched while jumping toward the opponent. The X-stance permits the defender's body to be balanced with a counter-force, even though considerable forward momentum is generated. When landing from a strong jump with an X-block, the X-stance permits a powerful gathered focus and a graceful landing. The moves that follow use this gathered energy as a spring-load to generate acceleration toward another opponent or orientation.
In Ul-Ji and Chul GI II, the Xstance is performed while lifting the elbows, simulating twin elbow strike. This can also be used for defense against a "bear hug" body grab over the arms. When the elbows are raised and the elbows jabbed outwards with focus, the attempted grasp will be broken. The X-stance protects the groin from further attack in this selfdefense application, and would permit a powerful follow-up spinning counterattack to generate force close-in.
Taegeuk 7 Jang uses X-stances in an early sequence: a front kneestrike is extended, then a leap is performed towards the opponent, to land in an X-stance with a double arm uppercut. In application, this might be interpreted as a means of forcefully driving the opponent back and off balance while striking. The X-stance balances the intense charging motion of the attacking follow-up.
X-STANCE IN SPARRING
Elusive footwork will enhance span-ing capability. The X-stance offers great mobility and elusiveness. From the X-stance, the practitioner can choose to move sideways, backwards or even in half-circular patterns to surprise the opponent. Keep one foot in place while the other foot crosses back or forward. The effect of this is that the practitioner gains control of distance. He can move forward and backward from the feet without seeming to change distance by keeping the upper body still. Only one leg moves. The opponent will not be able to easily predict the exact distance or direction of your moves.
EXERCISE IN X-STANCE SHIFTING
Face a mirror, if possible. Stand in a right back stance and step into an X-stance by placing the right foot in front of the left. Shift your weight to the front (right) foot. With as little extra upper body movement as possible, slide the back (left) foot out to the side, diagonally forward to front stance. This smoothly moves you closer to the opponent for a surprise attack. Now shift your left foot back behind the right again, returning to the right X-stance. Shift your weight onto the left foot and move the right foot diagonally back to move outside the opponent's range.
Practice shifting back and forth this way, moving sideways, forward and back. Repeat the exercise from a left X-stance position, that is, left foot crossed in front facing the opposite way to the right Xstance. Control upper body movement by keeping the knees bent as you shift. Bouncing up and down may telegraph your moves, so try to glide smoothly and evenly. Relaxed and graceful upper body stillness can be acquired by practising X-stance footwork with both arms fully extended laterally from the shoulders, arms parallel to the ground, shoulders relaxed. Tense and relax for control of quick focus.
X-STANCE AND THE JUMP
Distance in sparring can be bridged quickly and with an element of surprise when the Xstance is combined with a jump. The X-stance is a natural landing point from a jump. A jump can begin from a back stance. The practitioner leaps into the air and pulls his feet up under him, as if clearing an obstacle or even a felled opponent. He must land with his knees bent; this acts like shock absorbers. The front foot takes most of the weight, while the trailing leg, up on the ball of the back foot, helps to steady the balance.
The leap step can be a quick way to cover distance for retreat. Shift the body weight over the right leg in X-stance position with the left leg trailing, side-facing the opponent. Spring away by extending the right leg muscles. Then the back leg is quickly drawn, the extended leg back into a tiger or cat stance, so the front foot may be used for counter-kicking.
The technique can be varied for offense by starting in either a back or tiger stance with the weight on the back feet. Lift the front foot and spring off the back foot forward, reaching out as far as needed with the front foot. Upon landing on the front foot, draw the back foot up behind into an Xstance. This footwork when combined with a back-fist to the face or solar plexus can be surprising. The momentum from the forward spring off the back leg adds power to the technique to make it a potential knockout. Elbow strikes must be executed close in to be effective. The leap can help to move the practitioner into range for the elbow technique. Instead of leaping high over an obstacle, the X-stance may be performed at a lower height with a longer advance. This moves the practitioner in very fast and close, to quickly apply a technique and then a leap back out of range. Control of distance is taken away from the opponent. This is a strategy which keeps the opponent off-guard, confused and uncertain whether to be on the offense or the defense. He never knows where you will be next!
SPINNING X-STANCE
Spinning techniques can contribute strong, decisive points for sparring and the X-stance provides the footwork needed to perform fast, surprising spinning techniques. Experiment with this by performing a slightly elongated Xstance. The back foot should be pushed further back and away from the front foot. Now turn toward the back foot and the legs will untwist into a shallow back stance. Combine this footwork with a back-fist, knife-edge or ridge-hand for a surprising spinning hand attack.
ONE STEP EXERCISES
Practice of special pre-arranged one-step drills helps to develop the skill needed to use the X-stance for sparring and other applications. These drills should be repeated many times in practice to become effective options.
X-STANCE TO KICK
The X-stance can be combined with a kick for an elusive deflection followed by a quick, strong counter. The attacker throws a middle target sidekick. The defender steps away, crossing the right foot in front of the left as he performs an inward single back arm block. This may be quickly followed with a middle target hooking back kick thrown from the trailing left foot.
SPINNING X-STANCE
The attacker throws a middle target punch. The defender steps behind and outside into an Xstance with the left foot forward and the right foot as the trailing leg. The defender blocks inward and then follows the direction of the block with a spinning elbow strike. His feet will untwist into a shallow back stance. His feet will untwist into a shallow back stance. The spinning elbow attack can become a very strong technique when powered with the centrifugal force generated by rapidly untwisting the stance.
JUMPING X-STANCE
The attacker attempts an upper target punch. The defender applies a simultaneous upward knife edge block while striking to the side of the neck with an inward knifehand strike. This is immediately followed by a front kick to the middle target. As the attacker is pushed backward into retreat, the defender jumps toward him and lands close-in with a front X-stance (to balance and guard the body and groin) while striking to upper target area with a back-fist. You can create your own variations of this technique when the opponent begins to retreat. This opens up the opportunity to leap close-in with an X-stance and finishing hand, elbow or other attack.
X-STANCE FROM THE GROUND
The X-stance is even useful when defending from the ground. The Xstance can be performed after a surprise counterattack from the opponent. Cross the legs while prone on the back, knees bent, supporting leg sideways on the edge while the kicking foot is flat on the floor. This prepares for a defensive kick to the opponent when he tries to approach to finish off the defender. As he lunges in to punch, the defender may extend a strong front or side kick to the midsection or upper target of the opponent while the defender thrusts his body from the floor upward toward his opponent, to rest on his own shoulders. The other leg, which was bent behind the kicking one, may be drawn back as a counter-force to balance the extending force, or twisted around the attacker's support leg to restrain him from retreat and set up for a throw from the floor with a heel kick.
The X-stance is a complex reservoir of knowledge encoded in a seemingly simple foot position. Practice the applications and exercises well: you may discover many new ones of your own!
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