4. Defensive Fighting Stances

In addition to the stances mentioned previously, there are a number of other, less formal stances that the Karate man should know. The author hopes that these stances never need be put to use, but in today's chaotic world of teen-age gangs, hoodlums roaming the street, and vicious degenerates preying on the innocent, the wise old adage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" should certainly be heeded.

Spring Attack Stance

In this stance you are poised and alerted for any sneak attack by your enemy. Suppose you're argu­ing with somebody. He may be bigger, taller, stronger than you. Naturally, when the verbal dis­pute becomes red-hot, tempers flare. Your antagonist feels superior, confident, cocksure. As you stand there defending your rights, you must also anticipate his moves. Nonchalantly you assume your Spring

Attack Stance. (See illustration) You pretend you are merely holding your fingers, but you are poised like a tiger for surprise attacks from any direction. Your striking arm is held stiff and your other hand grasps the fingers of the striking hand. As you pull back with the second hand, you force the striking hand to snap forward * This is like a coil spring being released. It produces devastating effects! (See Fig. 58)

Smash Attack Stance

This stance is taken when you have reason to believe your opponent is ready to hit you. You have maintained your composure long enough. In other words, you have given your foe enough rope . . . to hang himself. But as a decent, law-abiding citizen, you are not looking for trouble. You prefer to settle a dispute or a misunderstanding by peaceful negotia­tion . . . but your opponent is truculent, belligerent, downright nasty! He sizes you up and down. He has you set up as a "soft touch", a "patsy". He can finish you off everyday of the week and twice on Sundays, so he thinks!

 You have your work cut out for you, so you un­obtrusively take the Slash Attack Stance. The split-seconds will count, for or against you. You stand erect, turn to the side to give him a smaller target. You form the "T" position. You raise your right arm. Your entire body is ready to defend any sur­prise attack. You can slash with the hand, thrust upward with the knee, follow thru with the clenched fist. In short, you can flail away in any direction. (See Fig. 59)

Double Knife Stance

Stand straight, body rigid, face your opponent at a slight angle. Bend your knees slightly to give you leverage and balance. Keep both arms straight up at the elbow, palms facing each other, but about 6 or 7 inches apart. In this stance you can zoom your blows straight ahead, sidewards, down—both hands at a time in a double-barreled attack! (See Fig 60)

Side Knife Defense

Stand erect, body tense, face your opponent at a modified angle. Bend knees slightly to give you proper balance and leverage. Raise both arms in a horizontal position, about 6 or 7 inches apart. This is an excellent defense, since you can block blows directed to your head with one hand, and parry blows  aimed at your mid-section with the other hand. (See Fig. 61)

Body Shifting

In addition to stance and posture, body shifting comprises an important phase of Karate. There are various forms of body shifting, each is primarily designed to throw your adversary off balance, to thwart his blows, reduce his target, surprise, con­fuse and befuddle him.

Side Shift

This is used when you want to shift your entire body. Your right foot is forward and your left is planted firmly to the rear. You quickly shift posi­tion. Snap your right leg back and your left leg moves forward. Remember to keep the moving leg close to the inside to avoid exposing the groin to a blow. (See Fig. 62)

Turnabout Shift

You are in a forward stance. Move your rear foot sideways and pivot on the balls of the feet. You have accomplished a full 180° turn. The Turnabout Shift very often befuddles an opponent and throws him off stride. You can then plunge into the offense. (See Fig. 63)

Cross Over Shift

When you are forced to vacate your position fast, the Crossover Shift is the right move. You cross your right foot over the left quickly and then as­sume your fighting position. (See Fig. 64-A, 64-B, 64-C)

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