The thing about "fast footwork" is that when the center of gravity (your hips) is extended too far from being in-line with your base (your feet), it doesn't work well with balance. In fact, part of the reason why this stance may seem stable to practitioners of the style is that the arms are acting as a counter balance. Getting the arms to move fast, in either a defensive or offensive nature, doesn't seem to allow for a lot of immediate power as the center of mass has to be brought in line with the rest of the body and legs.
The things I can point out right off the top of my head:
- Too susceptible to the shot. The legs are in-line and the knees are in close proximity to each other, making a double a prime option. The weight is mostly on the back leg making the ability to sprawl effectively difficult.
- Again, the center of gravity is not in-line to your base. In the world of Judoka, you've done half of their work for them as they don't have to jockey for kuzushi. The principles of dynamics play into their hands making throws easy, mostly to the back rear corners or to the sides.
- Leg kicks have been addressed.
- Body kicks have been addresed.
If I were coaching someone and I saw that their opponent got into that stance, I would advice them to jab and then double it. It's a chinese style, so in-line punches and such should bait response (parries and footwork, followed by trapping and counters). After the 2nd double jab I tell him to jab then low kick. After the 2nd low kick connects (if it goes that far/well), I'd advise to fake the jab and then shoot the double. In which case, if the opponent is moving backwards in that stance they cannot sprawl. If they are countering and moving forward, their legs are such close proximity they can not only be taken down, but lifted and slammed.
I would adjust the stance by widening the feet and making sure that the hips aren't so far back. Yes, it will stand taller and straighter, but direct access to power from the ground up is more readily available. I'd bring the front hand back about 8 to 12 inches and hold it in the same level. Rear arm I would bring back also about 4 to 6 inches and raise it so that it is closer to head height. At least in this way the elbows are closer to the body to act as barriers to body attack, and they are readily coiled to unleash powerful strikes without being too dependant on footwork.
I'm no expert, but that's my oppinion.
Southpaw stance vs. Dragon Stance
Linear Mode
