Why stand square to an opponent?

In Wing Tzun the stance called IRAS positions the practitioner with the shoulders square to an opponent. The reasons for this are quite simple and logical.

1: The body's muscle groups are all design to work at its maximum going straight forward not to the side or rear. 

2: With the body square and the arms attacking in a straight line means the arms are an equal length to the target so no rotation is required to strike with the next attack, making striking faster with the  maximum power behind each attack!

3: Standing with a lead shoulder means that it will present an opponent a greater chance to position themselves to the rear of your body where the muscles are functioning at minimum power. 

Having a lead shoulder means the need to defend three areas from attack. The front, side and rear, this would work to an advantage in a gun fight. Turning the body to the side presents a smaller target width wise, but bullets only shoot in straight lines. Humans have joints allowing us to move creating different angles and directions.

4: Standing square means only defending one area the Front. Understanding physics we know that a straight line is the shortest route between two points, so standing square and presenting all the vital organs to an opponent. By doing this the opponent is more likely to attack in a straight line, allowing the Wing Tzun wedge to intercept and deflect the oncoming attack. 

If an opponent attacks with a circular or diagonal attack then applying the Laws of Phyics and taking the shortest route the Wing Tzun wedge will arrive at its target first, and any attack coming in a straight line will be intercepted.

By Sifu Darren Wilson
3rd TG EBMAS Wing Tzun