How to Do the Single Leg Stance in Kung Fu

The single leg stance is used extensively in Chinese martial arts for both armed and unarmed combat. The raised leg allows for quick blocks and counterkicks. It also allows the student to squarely face opponents while protecting the groin. The single leg stance is similar to the single leg crane stance common throughout Shaolin-derived kung fu styles, but it is not the same.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Begin by facing your weaker side toward the opponent. For right-handed practitioners, this will be the left side because the right is their dominant side.
2. Raise your weak-side leg so that your thigh is parallel to the ground. It should naturally be between the practitioner and the opponent, providing protection for the groin.
3. Point your toes on the raised weak-side foot straight down. The foot should not touch or point toward the other leg. Keep the weak leg ready to both block and counterkick while raised as well as step forward.
4. Compensate for balance issues by bending the knee of your dominant-side leg. This allows the body's center of gravity to be raised and lowered and adjusted slightly to the side if needed.
5. Hold your weak-side arm low and extended to guard your body. The dominant arm is often placed high and behind the head.

Tips & Warnings

• In combat, the single leg stance is often a fallback position used to raise the lead leg out of the path of an oncoming low kick or sweep. In training, it is used to increase leg strength and balance.