Horseshoe Stance

**SuperGuido** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 12:30pm

The other day I was listening to an interview with Brandon Vera, and he started talking about Tito Ortiz. In describing his analysis of Tito Ortiz' fighting style, he mentioned that "Tito has the best Horseshoe Stance I've seen in MMA."

I googled, I wikipedia'd, I forum searched...and I still have no clue what this stance is.

What, pray tell, is the Horseshoe Stance? What style does it come from? What is the purpose of the stance, and what are the pros/cons of it?

**ctholian** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 12:54pm

It is a fixed stance both in kung fu and traditional karate do (kiba dachi) to the best of my knowledge it is used for inner leg strength and working towards the spilts and side kicks but I could be mistaken.

http://www.shotokanforeveryone.com/kibadachi.htm

http://martialarts.about.com/od/mart...ongfist2_3.htm

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 12:56pm

Im thinking either you're wrong or Vera was making a funny

**Bang!** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:00pm

He meant that Tito had a nice, low horse stance -- the key to victory in unarmed combat.

**Torakaka** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:07pm

that explains why he got his ass kicked.

**Bang!** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:09pm

It may have been a little too high in the cases of Chuck and Randy. It was way too high when he faced Mezger and probably just a teensy bit too high the first time he fought Ken.

That doesn't mean you should hate, though.

**ctholian** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:12pm

Originally Posted by Satori

What is the purpose of the stance, and what are the pros/cons of it?

Pros: Gaining momentum for a side kick Also good punishment stance it gets painful in the thighs if you have to do it too long.

Cons: BAD balance easy to foot sweep and oh yeah a damm good way to get a broken knee....

**Bang!** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:16pm

Shut up.

**ctholian** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 1:43pm

Don't think I will it kinda goes against well you know idea of forums, free speach etc( yep even for lowly noobs)..

However I am not overly interested in a mud slinging /flame throwing contest if you do feel that a lower horse stance is "the key to victory in unarmed combat" I am curious as why? (honestly I am not throwing sarcasm at you).

**SuperGuido** · Posted On: 12/23/2006 2:59pm

Wait a minute...you're telling me that Brandon Vera referenced this stance when he was talking about Tito Ortiz?

You've got to be kidding me.

Brandon Vera's comments weren't in the realm of "Tee hee he has a nice spinning hook kick", but actual admiration. His follow up comments detailed how he would approach a fight with Tito, and he explained how he'd capitalize on the length of his legs to stay out of boxing reach and cripple Tito's base before taking it to the ground.

Never once did he come off as making a joke, which made me think that the "Horseshoe Stance" was some type of boxing stance or a new type of MMA stance like the Crazy Monkey.

Color me confused.