Is it realy important to stay on the balls of my feet?

[Combatant]

The reason I ask this is that I have somehow got into the habit of keeping my front heel up but putting my back heel down on the floor. My weight is pretty evenly distributed though. Just wondering what you all thought about this?

[thiaboxr2]

I personally alternate my stance back and forth. For instance, if I stand flat footed on my rear foot and up on the ball of my foot on the lead leg(as you mentioned in your post) I would usually throw a lead kick to the inside thigh or possibally a lead foot jab to the stomach. If my lead foot was flat on the mat and the rear was up on the ball, I would normally be going for a roundhouse.

Then again, many times I am on the balls of both feet. I was taught to maintain most of the weight on the lead foot(flat footed) and be up on the ball of the foot for the rear leg. In other words, remain light footed on your primary kicking leg( my rear rounhouse).

I would imagine you want to be up on the ball of your rear foot ( as if you are ready to push off forward to execute a technique).and not so much flat footed on your lead leg(unless you want to provide a steady target for your opponents).You want to be able to "spring" back and forth quickly if needed.:)

[zun]

When you're sparring ever split sec counts. When you're lead footed, it just takes that little be longer to move. Means you can get in a bit quicker and move out of the way of an approaching attack faster.

So I prefer to stay on my toes.

[nicolo]

usually it's back heel slightly off the ground...but then again some boxers like to tap-tap-tap their front foot. Depends I guess if you like switching alot and kick from the rear or the front. Also great for confusing your opponent.

[Combatant]

Sounds to me like theres no real norm and that its just individual choice. Given me something to think about though. If I can master all stances then I should be a better fighter?

[nicolo]

well for the most part it's much like Western boxing footwork (circling, half-turns, step and slide, etc) but the stance is usually more narrow than a boxer's stance. Your body should be at a 1/4 turn with a staggered step - one foot behind and one in front. You can tippy toe on both feet but i don't think it's necessary, just remain light on your feet.
Of course it's always changing. When you're punching or striking you may adopt a more square-ish type of stance, but you should revert to your basic stance.
No need to bounce around either but hey, who's gonna stop you?